New-York daily tribune., 1864-04-14
THE BATTLE OF CHATTANOOGA
eReini Report OF Najor-Gen. George H
Themas.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE
q. - -. H,r IN ANnnnA nnc l. lSk3.

GENERAL The following operations OF the
Army of the Cumberland since Oct. 81 are respectfully
Submitted to the General-in.Chef.
Assoon as communications with Bridgeport had been
made secure ahd the question Of supplying the army al
this point rendered certain preparations were at once
commenced for driving the enemy from his position IN
eur immediate front-on Lookout Mountain and MIS-
.,ouary Ridge-and if possible to send force TO the
,elief of Knoxville To enable me TO dislodge the
enemy from the threatening position he had assumed ID
our front guns Of heavier calber than those with the
AMY were needed; also additional means Tor crossing
the Tennessee River Brig..Gen. Brannan, Chief o
Artillery was directed 10 send for the necessary mum
her of guns and amHunition, and after consulting with
Brig Gen. w. +. Smith, Chief Engineer TO prepare
the batteries for tie guns on their arrival WINE
awaiting the arrival of the guns and ammunition work
was prosecuted the Notifications around the town
I'm addition his duties of experimenting the WORK on
the fortifoadons Gen. Smith pushed vigorously the
construction of two pOntoOn bridges TO be used IN the
execution of the movements which were determined
upon as necessary to successful dslodgment of the
clemy. ,, l..
the north east OF McMinnvie and east OF the Caney
Fork Of the Cumberland Brighten. Elliott Chiei OF
Cavalry was ordered Nov a. 70 establish his head
quarters with the lst Division OF cavalry at or near
Alexandria and employ the division in hunting and ex'
terminating these marauders Elliott reached Alexan-
dra on the sth and the 9th reports that his scouts
met those Of Burnside Hint Ridge, east OF Sparta
and that Lieut-Col. BTownlow with detachments from
the LIST East Tennessee and 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry
attacked the Rebel Col Murray on the goth at Sparta
killing one wOundng two, nd capturing ten OF the
enemy, including heutena t Of Champ Ferguson $;
he also captured q few hon ts and ammunition and
DESTROYED extensive salt works used by the Rebels
eopuany of scouts under Capt Brxr also encountered
party Of goerrss near BeTsheba SplIngs, captured
rs or 20 AID dispersed the rest Brig. Gan X. S. Gran
Ger reprts from Nashville Nov. that "a mixed com
aand nader Lieut. Col Scully LIST Middle Tennessee
infantry sent from Nashville attacked and defeated
nd oth ruerrilla chiefs and pursued them
70 Centerville, Diekman County, where HAWKINS
made another stand attacking forces while crossing
the river Hawkins again routed and pursued until
his forces dispersed Rebel loss from Is 20 20 killed and
s6 prisoners our loss severely and several slightly
vourded." Again on Nov. 4, that " Major fltzgOoon'
18th Michigan Infantry came upon the combined forces
Of Cooper Kirk, Williams. and Scott (guerrilns), at
IawrencebuTgh IS miles from Columbia, and after
severe hand.tohand fight, defeated them, killing 8,
yolnding Z, and capturing "A prisoners among the
later are Captain and two Lieutenants. Our loss
men slightly wounded and horses killed. He reports
tie enemy 400 strong and his force 30 Nov. l3
capt Cutter, with one company OF mounted infantry
md a portion Of WhittemOres battery (mounted) be-
bnging 10 the garrison of Clarksyle had fight near
PALMYRA with Capt. Grey's company of guerrillas kill
ng two wounding five and taking one prisoner Cut
tiers loss. Lieutenant and one man wounded"
Nov l6 Scout organized by Oen. Paine and sent out
from Gaatin aud Layergne returned, and report hay-
ipg killed and captured 20 guerrlas, with horses
eep cattle and hogs in their possession collected for
tie Use OF the Rebel army"
Brig Gen. Crook, commanding ID Division OF Cav
sry Was ordered Nov. H. 10 concentrate his division
AT or near Huntsville Ala and to patrol the north side
Of the Tennessee from Decatur to bridgeport and TO
hunt up bands of guerrilas reported 10 be swarming
about In that region arrestng and robbing Union CIT
izsps Gen Crook reports the 2lst that an expedi
on sent down the Tennessee had destroyed nine boats
between Whtesbugh and Decatur, some OF them 90
feet long The expedition crossed the TlYer ana GROVE
Of the Rebels taking their boats. From the best IN
form alton he obtained there were TWO snall rcgl-
peuts of cavalry and battery on the other side.
doing picket duty. Lee and Roddy reported US having
gone 70 Mississippi.
Ma. Gen Sherman commanding Army Of the Ten.
nessee having been ordered, with the 18th Corps, 10
this point participate in the operations against the
enemy, reached Bridgeport with two divisions on the
-. He came 20 the front himself ard, having exam
iDcd the ground, expressed himself confident of his
ability 70 execute his share OF the work The plan Of
operations was then written out substantially as
follows:
sherman with the 18th Corps strengthened with one
division from my command, 10 effect crossing Of
the Tennessee River just below the mouth OF the South
ChekamaUga, on saturday, Nov q, at dayhghti his
crossing to be protected by artillery planted on the
lights the north bank Of the rlyer Alter crossing
his force, he 20 carry the nights OF Missionary
Ridge from their northern extremity 10 about the rail
road tunnel before the enemy could concentrate force
against him. was TO cooperate with sherman by con
eentratng my troops in Chattanooga Valley on my left
tank leaving only the necessary force 10 defend the
hrtihcatons the right and center, with mOveabe
column Of one division in readiness 10 move wherever
,tdered. This division was to show itself as
tireateningly as possible on the most practicable
he for making attack up the valley. was
tirR 10 effect a junction with Sherman. making
ncrt end Of Mission Ridge, and moving as nearly simu
taneusiy with sherman as possible. The junction
oncetormed, and the ridge carried communications
wonh b. at established between the two armies
BY rods running on the south bank Of tie river
furthe movements TO depend on those of the enemy
Lookoi Valley was 10 be held by Geary's division Of
the h Corps and the two brigadss Of the 4th Corps
ordereio cooperate with him. the whole under com
mand oMsOI-Gen Hooker. Howards corps was TO
be held readiness to act either with my troops at
ChattanNga with Gen. Sherman and was ordered
to take position Friday night on the north side
oftee Tennessee, near the pOntoon bridge. and then
heId IN badness fot such orders as might become
necessary. Gen. Smith commenced at once " collect
his pontoos and materials for bridges in the north
Shiekamaga Greek preparatory 20 the crossing Of
onernah toOps proper pecautiOns being taken that
the enemy ,hOud net discover the movement Gen
Sherman iha returned 10 bridgeport to direct the
movements q his troops
Col. Long 4th Ohio Cavalry commanding Cd Bri-
gade, I'd Division Cavalry, oSered on the 10th 10
rapport at Chattanooga on SaturdayAe LIST by noon the
intention peng Tor MN 70 follow " the left flank Of
be to cross the Chickamauga mak,a raid upon the
enemys communications, and do as nth damage as
Possible
Owing TO a heavy rain storm commeLjnp on Fri
day Cth) and lasting all Of the 2lst, Gen Sherman
was not enabled TO get his troops in position time 10
commence operations on Saturday morning y ne ex.
pected
Learning that the enemy had discovered Shenap's
movements across Lookout Valley IL thoughtbest
that Gen. Howard should over into Chattanosta
mus attracting the attention Of the enemy, with ue
Intention of leading him to suppose that those troops "
had observed moving we're reinforcing Chattanooga
and thereby concealing the real movements Of Sherl
man. Accordingly, HOwards Corps was crossed into
Choanooga on Sunday and took up position in full
view o. the enemy. In consequence of the bad condi
uoh Of the roads Gen. Sherman's troops occupied
~ Vi sunday IN getting into position. In the mean
e The river having risen, both pontoon bridges were
oaen BY RATS sent down the river by the enemy cut
shg on Ottsrhauss Division from the balance OF Sher
Saat troops IL wa thought this would delay us
A'0'Sa dsy bet during the night of the I'D two de.