The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-07-01

LETTER FROM CHATTANOOGA
/ From Our Own Correspondent.

V, From Our Own Correspondent.
HEADo'Ks DEPARTMENT OF CusIBEELAND,)
OFFICE PROvOST MARSHAL GENERAL. =
CHATTANOOGA, June Ia, 1921
The last heard of myself was en- route for
a more distant cline, but have at last turned
up here in this Gibrafter of America.
9th trip to this place need not write
about, for every one who reads the papers
must know something about it, although they
cannot realize the peris of Journey from
Louisville to Chattanooga.
Nothing however TRANSFERRED to mar the
pleasure of the trip from Louisville t, Nash
vile. The country between the two places
presents far different aspect than it did two
years since when passed through here. Then
it was barren desOlate waste, made so by the
war path of two great armies the one retreat
ing, the other following. Now where but
short time all was desolate, is seen luxuriant
fields of cotton and corn.
After a ride of eight hours, we arrived at
Nashville. The marks Of the war path have
not been annihilated here, for the first we OBJ
served on approach to Nashville are the tall
piers of the magnificent bridges standing soil
tary, embedded in the river, monuments of
the days of peace. At present Nashville is a
perfect babel. and should judge was the hub
OF the Universe instead Of St Paul.
From Nashville to Chattanooga Isl miles,
is anything but pleasant trip, running time
anywhere from eighteen to twenty four hours
providing the train does not get blown up hy
those Internal machines, the Rebs are so care
less with.
The road is very rough and the vast freight
trains constantly running are loaded with MILL
tary supplies or soldiers. Most anywhere on
the road side may be seen wrecks of cars con-
demned railroad iron, &C., sure evidence of
the occasional bushwhacker. Three or four
trains usually accompany each other: one is
passenger, the balance hospital and freight
trains.
With the exception of being once chased by
guerillas in the night and few broken railroad
ties on the track, we proceeded all right till
we arrived at Chattanooga Creek bridge. which
had gone down with whole train ON Just be-
fore us. 't.-
AS miss is as good as mile we passengers
thought We were lucky; and after some delay
in re-shipping ourselves in the mud and rain,
we arrived within the lines of Chattanooga
1t is no use for me, who never wrote dOcu-
ment tor pubic gaze. to undertake to call in,O
requisiliOn my descriptive powers in regard o
this place, for can't do it; yet will try in my
| plain way to give you some idea of hertabouts.
Chattanooga is prominent name, made SO
| since the breaking out Of the war. II was
| once the rebel stronghold and deemed by them
impregnable, but now, thanks to the val0r of
the blue jackets, the stars and stripes are firmly
| planted on its surroundings. Everything on
| every hand betokens war. and woe 10 the poor
civilian who is picked up here withou he can
| give good account of himself He may get
! chance at digging stone for Uncle Sam. or
| some other vocation beneficial to his health.
Everything is desolate; no fences, trees or
shrubbery is to be seen now. Buildings are
dilapidated--whatr remain standing. The most
prominent ones are those built and now in
course of construction, by the government,
and the large depOts that the rebels in their
| haste forgot to Gcmolish. Or else they expected
| to return in q "few days" Here is the grand
entrepot of everything for and from the front.
| COmmissaries, Quartermasters Medical Pur
veyors, &C., for this department are located
here. Here, too, you will find the Christian
| and Sanitary Commissions have obtained foot
| hold dispensing their bounLies wherever
needed. .-..- .,-. .t--.,t. ...,.
! The country about Chattanooga is noun
| famous and very romantic. Yesterday | visit
ed the now famous Lookout Mountain.-and
| what shall say about it? Words are made
quate to express the glory, the grandeur and
Swiftly LtltI lay utiOIC dtlU UcIDW
| me. Seeing is believing. From the peak,
| which is about 1 500 feet high, may be seen
seven States, and the beautiful tennessee River
vending its way as far as the eye can reach
| among the countless mountain ranges.
Directly below lies the Moccasin Point, of
| which we have heard SO much. / saw at
glance what gave it the name. It's a neck of
| land formed by the winnings of the river so 40
| to resemble moccasin perfectly. r.
The mountain from Chattanooga looks not
more than two miles distant. yet is not foot
less than five. The differences very percept-
| ible when we are on top, for Chattanooga. the
city of tents, seems more like an extensive
! gravel yard Missionary Ridge, to the right,
sinks into insignifcance. Truly. as General
Grant said nothing but the audacity of our
| troops could ever have taken Lookout and
| Mission Ridge. The r0ugh hewn ladders that
| HoOkeris men scaled the rocks with are still as
| they were LETT, monuments of the Intrepid he
| roism of many brave who was hurled head
| long below. tried my hand at scaling back
wards. but soon made up my mind that doubt
full things were mighty uncertain, and so
crawfished back. ,....7. .-......-
could write week about this place and
surroundings, but must stop. Perhaps You
may hear from me again when l find anything
new to transmit L. Z. G.