New-York daily tribune., 1864-04-14

ON the morning of the 23d received note from MAJ
Gen. Grant directing me to ascertain py adenohsra'
ton the truth or falsity Of this report.
Orders were accordingly gyento Gen. Granger, COM
mandng the 4th Corps. TO form his troops and to ad
vance directly in front OF Fort WOOD, ana thuS
develop the strength of the enemy Gen. Palmer COM
mandng the l4th Corps directed to support Gen.
Grangefs right with Bards division refused and IN
echelon Johnsons division 18th Corps TO be heid IN
readiness under arms in the intrenchments to re-
enforce at any point Howard's Corps was formed III
mass behind the center of Changers corps. IN me tmo
divisions Of Changers Corps Sherldans anu Noot ~, ?,
were formed in front of Fort WOod-Sheridan on the
right Wood on the left with his left nearly extending 70
Citico Creek. The formation being completed ABOUT
p M, the troops were advanced steaHly anu E,s S,
rapdty directly TO the 'front.' driving before them, hlst
the Rebel pickets then their reserves ana fng upon
their grand guards stationed in their first line OF rlne
pits, captured something over 200 men, ana secured
themselves in their position before the enemy had
sufficiently recovered from his surprise TO attempt W
send resnorcements from his main camp Orders were
then given TO Gen. Granger to make his position secure
by constructing temporary breastworks and throwing
our strong pickets to his 'front.' Howards Corps was
moved up on the left of Granger with the same IN
structions and Bridges Battery Cll) was placed III
position on Orchard Knob. Inc troops fehnhcu III
that position for the night . .
The Tennessee River having risen considerably irol
the effect of the previous heavy ralnstofm was ouu
difficult 10 rebuild the pontoon bridge at
Therefore il was determined that Gen. Hooker shouIu
take Osterhanss division, which was stl IN LOOKOUT
Valley Geary's division, and Whttakers ana Droses
brigades of the lst Division 4th Corps under Brig
III. u
northern sope Of Lookout Mountain Tor the purpose OF
attracting the enemys attention in that direction, and
thus withdrawing him from Sherman while crossing the
river at the mouth of South Chickamauga Gen.
/ Hooker was instructed that in making this demon
straton if he discovered the position and strength
of the enemy would justify him In attempting 10 carry
| the point Of the mountain, TO do so.
BY o'clock on the morning Of the 24th Gen. HOOKER
reported his troops in position and ready TO I'D
vance. Finding Lookout Creek so mnch swollen as 10
be impossible he sent Goary's division, supported by
ttyo hriq IN
and work down the right bank, while he employed
the remainder of his force in constructing temporary
bridges across the creek the main road The enemy
being attracted by the force on the road did not oO
serve the movements OF Geary until his column vas
directly their left and threatened their rear HOOK
ers movements were facilitated by the heavy mist
which oyerhung the mountain, enabling Geary TO get
into position without attracting attention.
Finding himself vigorously pushed by strong col
umn on his left and the enemy began 70 fall back
with rapdity but his resistance was obstinate and
entire point Of the mountain was not carried until about
D. m when Gen. Hooker reported by telegraph that
be had carried the mountain far as the road from
Chattanooga Valley 10 the white House. Soon
after his main column coming up his line was extended
10 the foot OF the mountain near the mouth OF Chsh
noOga Creek His right, being still strongly resisted
by the enemy; was reinforced by Carn's brigade LIST
Division. 18th Corps, which arrived at the " White
House about p % in time to take part IN the contest
still going on at that point Continuous and heavy
skirmishng kept up in Hookers front until 10 at
night after which there was an unusual qmetheSS ae
our whole front
put in condition and sent up the river at daylight OF the
24th Gen. sherman by IL IN. had crossed three di-
visions OF the 18th Corps and was ready to advance a
soon as Davss division Of the l4th Corps commenced
crossing Col Long 9th Ohio Cavalry, commanding
cd Brigade I'd Division cavalry, was then ordered ~
up at once follow shermsns advance closely ana
10 proceed 20 carry out his instructions Of the day be-
fore If not required by Gen Sherman TO support his lett
flank. HOwaId's eorps moved 10 the left about a. m
and communicated with Sherman about noon.
Instructions sent to Gen Hooker 10 be ready 10
advance on the morning Of the 2jth from his position
on the point Of Lookout Mountain 10 the Summertown
road and endeavor TO intercept the enenys retreat II
he had not already Withdrawn which he was 10 ascer
tain by pushing reconnaissance 10 the top OF Lookout
Mountain. The reconnaissance was made az directed
and having ascerained that the enemy had evacuated
during the night General Hooker then directed to
move on the Rossyie road with the troops under his
command except Carins Brigade which was 70 reloin
it's Division carry the Pass at kossvine ana Operate
roops were held in readiness to ADVANCE directly on the
rifepits their front as soon as Hooker could get INTO
nositon nj Rossye. In retiring on the night OF the
bah the enemy had destroyed the bridges over Chata
Doopa Greek on the road leading from Lookout Noun
tain 10 Rossyile and In consequence Gen Hooker was
delayed until after o'clock p n IN eiectmg the cross
ing Of the creek.
About noon, Gen Sherman becoming heavily en-
gagged by the enemy they having massed strong force
In his front orders given for Gen Baird 10 march
his division within supporting distance OF Gen. sher
man Moving his command promptly in the direction
indicated he placed in position 70 the left of Woods
division Of Changers corps. Owing TO the dllhouitles
OF the ground his troops did get in line with Gran
gers until about Z! p Orders were then given him
howeveryto move forward GraDgers left. and with
IN supporting distance against the enemys rineplts
on the slope and at the foot OF Missionary Ridge The
whole line then advanced against the breast works and
soon became warmly engaged with the enemy's skir
mishers these giving way retired upon their reserves
posted within their works
Cur troops advancing steadily in continuous line
the enemy seized with panic, abandoned the works at
the foot Of the hill, and retreoted precipaely to the
crest whittier they closely followed by troops
Who apparently inspired by the impulse OF victory
carried the hi simultaneously at six different points
and 20 closely upon the heels OF the enemy that many
of them were taken prisoners in the trenches We cap
tured all their cannon and ammunition, before they
could be removed destroyed. Aiter hating few
moments 10 reOFgaDze the troops, who had become
somewhat scattered in the assault Of the hii
Gen Sheridan pushed forward IN pursuit, ana drove
those in his front, wLO escaped capture across Cmcka
manga Creek Gems Wood and Baird, being OBJ
stinaely resisted by regnorcements from the enemys
extreme right continued lighting until darknes, set H.
slowly but steadily driving the enemy before them
In moving upon Rossye. Gen. Hooker encountered
Stuars division and other troops finding his eiI Hank
threatened Stuart attempted 10 escape by retreating
toward Graysve but Of his force. finding thcir
etrcat threatened from that quarter retired IN dsor
der toward their right along the crest OF the ridge
where they were met by another portion OF Gen
HoOkers command, and driven by these troops IN
the face OF Johnsons division Of Paners corps, by
whom they were nearly all made prisoners.
IL will be from the above report Nat the original
plan Of operations was somewhat modified 70 meet and
take the best advantage Of emergencies which necess
tated material notifications Of that plan. IL s De-
lieved however that the original plan had IL been car
red out could possibly have led 10 successful
results. The alacry displayed by officers IN executing
their orde the enthusiasm and spirit displayed By the
men who did the work, cannot be too highly appre
cated by the nation for the defense of which they have
on many other memorable occasions n0Dly ana pat
riOtically exposed their lives In battle.
Howard's corps Qlth) having joined Sherman on the
9th his operations from that date will be nCluded IN
Shermans report as will also those of Brig Gen j. 4.
Davis's division Of the 4th Corps who reported for
duty 10 Gen Sherman on the 2lst.
Gen. Changers command returned TO Chattanooga,
with instructions 10 prepare and hold themselves IN
readiness for orders 20 reinforce Gen. Burnside at