Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-03-26
TO THE FRONT.


CHATTANOOGA, March II.
TO THE FRONT.
Mounted on huge baste," caparisoned a
with all the gay trappings Of fnll-blOWn i
warrior, your correspondent started out I
this morning for the purpose af visiting
our advance lines, which have been ma
terially changed since Pslmsr's famous {
reconnaissance, that resulted as like ad-
ventures generally do, in prosy general
order Of cODgratulstion for what was not
accomplished. After Palmer "felt" Of
the enemy snd got his clumsy hands burnt
by his inexplicsble sWkwardnsss, our
forces were suddenly Withdrawn from
Tunnel Hill, and our lines contracted, so
that they now only include ROssville,
Chickamsugs battlefield, and RinggOld,
instead Of being within few miles Of
Dalton, as reported. The position now oo-
cupied by our troops is 8 very advantageous
one for offensive or defensive operations,
and extends a sufficient distance east
wsrdIy to protect the celebrated railway
triangle that gives this place its great
military importance. There is no probs-
bility that this army will be able to make |
permanent forward movement for sever |
al weeks hence, owing to the lack Of trans.
portatisn and artillery horses. The large |
number Of animals that died Of starvs- |
ton last winter, snd the immense amount |
Of transportation destroyed by the enemy
has not been replaced, am told that it is
very difficult to obtain horses and mules at
the North, even at the round prices paid
by the government; therefore an early
spring campaign in this Department need
not be expected. Scouts come in this
morning reporting
A REBEL ADVANCE
In the the direction and probably against
Ringgold, 8 supposition that is corrobora-
ted BY the intense activity manifested by
the enemy's cavalry ct various points
along the front. Two furious demonstra-
tions were made on Tsylor's Ridge, which
were repulsed and the rebels severely
chsstised for their sudscity by the 105th
Ohio. Deserters and scouts state that
Hardee's entire corps have abandoned
their quarters about Dalton, and moved
North, with the evident intention Of as
saulting our forces at Ringgold, but mill
tary men only regard the movement as
an attempt to re-occupy Chicksmaugs
Valley. The indications are certainly
fight, though it is problem that will be
solved before this reaches you.
CHATTANOOGA.
Itis surprising that disease does not run
riot in this sbominsble filthy place. The
streets are literally ologged with putres-
cent sediment and the offsl Of thirty
thousand soldiers, has been aocumulsting
for eight months past, without an effort be-
ing made towards purifying or cleaning
the thoroughfares. The decsying bodies
of hundreds Of horses and mules have rem
dered the air SO pregnant with fetid dell
eterious stencil that the hospital windows
cannot be raised TO admit air, lest the
tainted winds breed mslsrias more Viru-
| liant and infectious than he disease already
contracted. Unless something is imme-
distely done by the military authorities in
. renovating way, the approaching warm
weather will make the town untensble -
, The exorementitious matter from hospi-
tails, stables, oommissarist stores and en-
csmpments is sll deposited in the street,
and there left to deteriorate and oo5e out
smell SO disgustiDgly offensive that per-
son sickens by walking twenty rods on
Main street. Doubtless the commandsnt
Of the post, General Stesdmsn, q thorough
officer, will see the imperative necessity Of
policing, burning the dead mules and
9 horses and cleaning the city Of the foul
recrement that soon will engender disease
5 ct Wholesale.
THE GARRISON.
. Silently but steadily the work on the
fortress that enVirons this city has pro-
gressed during the entire winter, and now
have arrived as near perfection as the ma
: terjsl in the hands Of the Workmen would
admit. Chattanooga with its present arm
!, | ament is perhaps infinitely the strongest
place in the country.
Major C. E. Cotter, let Ohio artillery, IL
commanding the defenoes, consisting, IN
, artillery, of twelve light batteries, besides
: : a number of siege and heavy cslibre guns
; The Msjor, in his usual energetic ana en-
oient manner, is putting the boys through
q severe test in the drilling line, and max
: ING such improvements generally as gives
/. his forts an admirable appearance and
neat institution for the instruction Of
youths.
DMGER's BATTERY,
q formerly of the I1th corps, is stationed il
' Fort Sherman, commanded by Lieutenant
4 Damment, Captain Dilger having gont
d East to accept a promotion On Genera
. SigeTs staff. The bstterys position II
: quite healthy one, being outside the de
Il bris of old camps, in pure clear atmos
d phere, consequently there is not case o.
y sickness in the command. Frank Eek, o
a Cleveland, died in the hospital here to de!
. Of Typhoid Fever. He was noble, brsv
II soldier. Corporal Hiram Smith, who wa
A badly wounded recently, is again doinI
II duty with that promptness and dilligenc
II that has ever been his record. The
n 201H OHIO BATTERY
a ia posted contiguous to Dilger's, and is nov
II in charge Of Lieutenant Nicholson, but to
is morrow scme other person may be in com
Al mand, as their dispositions and that
M military are incompatible to so close q
70 association. Both Of the above bstterie
l9 will undoubtedly remain here during tn
\. summer, owing to the scarcity Of horse
TO equip them; therefore their friend
ss can forward packages by express with fsi
ID prospect of their reaching their destin'
IS. tion.
Isr OHIO sHARPsHOoTERs.
ey This excellent organization still remain
er headquarters guard for General Thoma
en- position they held during Rcsecrsn
ar reign, which ct once is ample evidence
al the efficiency Of both officers and me-
re- and their popularity with The Gener
60 commanding. 1 saw them last night c
Of dress parade, and there certainly is l
ng troop in the army that presents I'm,
to appearance, or is mere perfectly dFillt