New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-03-04
TIE ADVANCE FROM CHATTANOOGA.
Gen. Thomas's Position but Two Miles
from Dalton.
Tho Reported Retreat to Tunnel
ELL False.
TIE REBELS SAID TO NUMBER BUT $4,000.

The Nashville Union of the 2Sth gives full
particulars Of the battle of reconnaissance in the vcn
ty of Dalton the 18TH derived from witness The
Union says:
Zen. Thomas was present. and superintendent mat.
ters in person. and after discovering the enemys posi-
tio became convinced that was too strong TO be car.
red by assault and he therefore made preparations for
a strategic movement the nature OF which, however,
We deem IL imprudeDt 70 mentions and, therefore.
Crufts division was ordered TO take up new position,
thereby leaving the bngades Of King and lambrigbt
Of Johnston's division, which were In the advance,
with other support than Morgan's brigade Of JEFF
c. Daviss command.
"Mistaking this for retreat the Rebels at about 2
o'clock IN. the 26th, advanced their lines and,
before they were discovered within twelve feet OF
our pickets who but short distance In advance
Of the main body. AS soon as our lines were diseoy
cred. the enemy opened yolley Of muskeiry, which
returned In gallant style for Al hour and half end
until the Rebels withdrew.
"Our informant describes the scene as-one Of the
grandest he witnessed; the continual rafting OF
musketry from ten thousand infantry, and tho bright
blaze Of the powder which, at first in flashes finally
settled as II steady flame until the heavens were
Illuminated rendered the affair altogether beyond the
power Of description.
Nothing can surpass the gaantry displayed by our
troops In this battle They have added TO their hard
earned laures and given the world new cause for ad
miring their heroism. patriotism, and yalor.
During the night trains were heard coming In ron
the South continually and from prisoners 10 was learned
that Johnston calling In his scattered forces, but
that all would not amount 10 more than 10 OUO 1neI
General Palmers garments were pierced no less
than four times by bullets during the series Of engage
ments.
"Our forces had not fallen back, req ted by tele
graph, to Tunnel Hill, but held strong position be-
yond Buzzard Roost from which they cannot be driven
and from which an advance will doubtless be made
within day two. Everything wears the most cheer
ing aspect In the front
"When night came on, a spectacle met our eyes at
brilliant, beautiful and sublime. During the course
Of the conflict. the leaves, rendered inhammaole by
several weeks Of dry weather had taken fire
and long lines of the devouring element could be
every where running up and down the mountains,
twisting and writhing and Kissing like monstrous ser
pents Of living fire. The fine twgs and cones Of which
quantities lay upon the ground added to the huge
OF the confsgration in some places the progress
Of Withdrawing troops was seriously impeded by
the smoke and heat and at 10 p. it really seemed 70
spectator gazing from Tunnel Hill as II the whole
State OF Georgia fire. and her eternal mountains
were melting beneath the flames. The Union loss is
put down two hundred and that Of the Rebels at five
hundred. The results have prevented Johnston from
detaohing troops 10 operate against Gen. Sherman.
famiarsed our troops with hitherto unknown country
and at the same time demonstrated the tremendous
strength Of the Rebel position at Dalton"