The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-03-10
Capture OfTunneI Hill.

TUNNEL, HILL, Ga, Feb. 49,
Our troops, having advanced to Tunnel
Hill on Tuesday, fell back in the evening
four miles, General Johnson's command hav-
| ing abandoned the position. Yesterday
morning, about 10 o'clock, the advance was
! again resumed, portions of Johnsonis Baird's,
land Davis commands moving forward on
the main road from Ringgold toward Tun-
mel Hill, while Gen. Cruft's command of
Stanley's division, marched by the Caloosa
Springs road, further to the left. The prin-
cipal column was preceded by cavalry
force under Col. Boon, 18th Kentucky; Lieut..
Col; Watts, I'd Kentucky; and Col. Harri-
son. Gen. johnson followed, the cavalry of
Gen. Kings brigade being in the advance.
No skirmishing of consequence took place
until half-past II, when we found ourselves
in the immediate vicinity of the town of
Tunnel Hill Here it became evident that
the rebels were resolved on making a stand.
The cavalry had advanced some distance
ahead Of Of the infantry but, as soon as
the latter was up In sufficient numbers to
support them, the cavalry advanced in col
umn along the road, in plain view Of the hill
on which the rebel cannon were planted the
day before. No cannon had as yet been OBJ
served, when suddenly battery, placed on a
hill to the right of the Tunnel, opened, and
a number of shell were thrown with great
accuracy Immediately into our ranks. Sew
eral were killed and wounded. Gen. Whip
pie narrowly escaped death from the explo-
sion of shell. No confusion was created,
However, and the cavalry retired to shell
ter.
/ Other portions of infantry came up, and
were deployed in line, Hambright, of John
sons command, being on the extreme right
Carlin next, and King next. Then came
| McCook, of Davis command, and Gen. Nor
gan next. Gen. Cruft was on the extreme
left.
Meantime our artillery came up, and Cap
tain Hotchkiss' I'd Minnesota battery, plac-
ing two 10-pounder PARROTS on an eminence
to the right of the road, opened on the enc
my with some effect, lessened by the appar-
ent imperfection of shells, but few of which
exploded
Capt. Harris, of the 10Th Indiana battery
afterwards placed two of his pieces in field
to the left of the road, and assisted in dis
lodging the rebel battery from its posi-
ton.
| Our infantry now began to advance, Gen.
Morgan taking the rebels on the right flank,
and boldly marching along the crest of Tun-
mel Hill, completely turning the enemy's
works, who fled without firing a gun. Their
retreat was rendered more necessary as Col.
Hambrights advance threatened their left
flank.
Our whole line now moving forward, we
occupied without further contest the ridge
of Tunnel Hill. All along its crest were
tolerably formidable works of stones and
logs and on the eastern side was the deser-
| ted camp Of Claiburne's division.
1t was now four in the afternoon, and the
rebels fled rapidly along the Dalton road
Our troops pursued without further fighting,
until within three miles of Dalton, when
the rebels were found very strongly posted in
a gorge through high PERCEPTIONS range of
mountains called Rocky Fall. Through this
gorge run both the cannon road and the rail-
road.
Our advance was met by sharp musket-
ry fire at first. This was replied to with such
leffect that the first rebel line was dsIodged
and driven back on the second.
Immediately after the enemy commenced
a furious fire of shot and shell from six pie
ICES of artillery, which compelled our skirm-
ishers to retire. Fire was kept up with Wig
or until sundown-Gen. Davis advancing,
with McCook's and Morgans brigades, and
taking up position at the mouth of the
gorge.
Night now came on and the combat end
ed. We may have heavy fighting to-mor-
row, unless we can in some way turn the
enemy's position, which now seems scarcely
practicable.
The loss on both sides during these impor-
tant operations has been small