Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1864-01-01

such marching. They were camped under
the Rebel batteries, but almost in safety,
as they could not depress their guns to do
them injury. We marched to within
mile Of Chattanooga, and camped that
night. Raiued very bard oil night. Ear
ly next morning, We started and crossed
the pontoou to the north side. This pom.
.oon is in good range Of the batteries on
Lookout, but the morning vss rainy, and
dense cloud hung over the mountain,
which completely obscur.d Us from view,
aud saved them the trouble OF giving US
reception. We got to this camp, about
noon, (Which 10 three miles above town.
having marched, since leaving Corinth,
sbout $50 miles. We were somewhat
tired and woro down, but never saw an
army in better spirits than vas ours. We
expected some rest after getting here, but
that evening We got orders to bsve three
days rs.ious in our haversacks, hundred
rounds of ammunition to each man, and
take one blanket When We get such or
ders, we know there is pretty big work
ahead, 80 We cousoled ourselves that there
was big job to do, and the sooner it was
done the sooner We would get rest. That
afternoon, from q high peak, l had my
frs. and good view Of chattanooga and its
surroundings, and although you have or
will have many and better than can give,
ye. I will give you slight description as
saw it.
Lookout Mountain is 40 elevation Of
about 2400 feet extending in northwest
direction terminating abruptly just below
Chst,snooga. Mission or Missionary ridge
is 3 Low range Of mountains extending
from the Tennessee river six miles above
town to Lookout, forming semicircle, the
town near the centre. On this ridge the
Rebels we're fortified, aud our line Of for
ti6cs,ions surrounded the town. II then
looked Is if our army was 10 . bad 6x.
Camp rumor was that shernan's corps
was to tskes the left wing and turn the
righ, flank of the Rebels.
Early next morning, our brigade Of
infantry, Of five regiments, marched some
eight or nine miles above here, and halted
ou Little Chicksmauga creek, . half mile
above where it empties into the Tennessee.
This creek is on the north side Of the
Tennessee river, while Chickamaugs river
is on the south side, and empties into the
Tennessee about two miles below the
mouth of the creek. All the osrsmen in
the brigade we're then called on to report
themselves, and ss soon % . sufficient
number had reported they we're put in
charge Of tho 125 ponsoons lying in the
creek. These pontoons we're hauled up
from below, secretly from the Rebels. but
they must have found it out by some
means, as oil that afternoon their pickets
along the river would shout de6sntly at Us
to come on with the pontoons-tbey were
ready for us. These pontoons are about
25 feet long, six wide, and capable of car.
rying "a or 80 men. Four osrsmen we're
put into each boat, and we're ordered to
muffls the oars. We Vere ordered to make
coffee aud get al the rest We could, as we
were to cross the river in these boats at
8 o'clock 10 the morning, of Monday 23d.
We knew this to be . hazardous underta.
king, and the rumor was that the Rebels
had artillery planted above the banks, and
we're guarding against such move but
men that have gone through Douelscn,
Shiloh, Coriuth, Arkansas Post, Vicks-
burg, 60, were not the men to finch at
such an undertaking, aud We oonsoled
ourselves with the remark that if it Was to
be done ws were the ones that could do it,
and if you never saw . set of determined
men, you might have seen . brigade Of
them that night. Our artillery (about SO
pieces) Was planted on the banks Of the
river, three miles below, and we're to COW
er our crossing. The night was clear and
moonlight, and the booming Of cannon
from Lockout told Us that Hooker was
stirring them up below. We we're sitting
around our camp fires, suppiug our ,offee
and speculasing as to our hazardous under.
taking, when an orderly came around,
about o'clock, telling US to 60 asleep,
that the project had been postponed till
Tomorrow night: so we felt more sure Of
hsving one more day to live.
fConcluded in our next1
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