The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-05-24

the country IS IeVel. The forests ap-
preached the village on all sides.
Bragg had the trees felled for a dis
lance Of two miles in every direction,
50 as to give his Artillery an opportu-
nifty to do effective work upon our ad-
vancing columns, but before we got
within range of his guns, he and his
army fell back. Chattanooga was the
next point occupied by Bragg, but as
we began to draw our lines around
that place, he abandoned it: From
the beginning of this campaign up to
this point, Rosecrans had shown
marked generalship, but when Chatta-
nooga was abandoned, he seemed to
imagine that the rebel army had dis
appeared from the face of the earth,
and that there was no obstacle in the
way to prevent his victorious march
to the sea. Accordingly he crossed his
army over the Tennessee at four or
five different points, and his columns
seemed to move, so as to increase the
distance between them. On the 10th
of September, the distance between
the left and right was fully fifty miles.
Bragg who had been REINFORCED by
Longstreet and who had his army we'll
in hand, did not know Rosecrans' posi-
ton or he would have annihilated his
army in detail, before it's scattered COL
umns could have been concentrated.
orders were given to close to the
left, on Thomas, and prepare for bat
tie. Long before McCook could move
his troops so as to join Thomas, the
roar of artillery and musketry told too
plainly that Thomas had been at
tackled. With all possible speed Nc
Cook hurried forward his three divi-
sions. Johnson's division was in ad-
vance, and at Crawfish Springs, Gen'l
Rosecrans ordered him to move his
division as rapidly as possible to
Thomas assistance. This division ar
rived on the ground, and was ordered
in position by Gen. Thomas in person.
The other two divisions of McCook's
Corps were attacked in flank, before
they could be brought into line and
were driven back In confusion.
At shutdown on the 10Th, the rebel
army had been driven back at least a
mile and half. Col. j. e. Dodge one
OF the brigade commanders in John
sons division got in advance of his
command and between the two lines.
10 move either way would surely draw
the tire OF some sharp-shooter. Not
knowing exactly what to do, he sat
down at the root of tree, to calmly
consider the uncertainty of life and
possibly to pass in review his short
comings from boyhood. In this posi-
ton he was in full view of rebel
battery. Three of the gunners observ.
ng him, and supposing that he was
badly wounded, came to his assistance.
The artillery-men had no arms and as
their mission was one of mercy did
not think they should need any. AS
they rased Dodge up one of them re-
marked ''Let us see if the Yank has
any arms. Duck as thought Dodge
observed that they were unarmed and
drawing his pistol he presented it and
demanded their surrender. Seeing
their helplessness they surrendered
and Dodge marched them into the
Federal camp A short time after
dark the rebel army made fierce as.
sault upon our lines but was repulsed.
The Federals adjusted their lines, and
prepared for action at daylight on the
following morning, Sept. 2O).
Bragg had given Polk instructions to
attack at daylight on the Goth, Sun
day. but he delayed until about ten
O'Clock. From daylight until the at
tack was made our army occupied it.
self in throwing up temporary breast
works, so when Gen. Polk, who by the
way was Bishop of Tennessee, had fin
ished his beautiful and impressive
morning service Of the E Episcopal
church, and was ready to make us
visitation, we were also ready to give
him warm and cordial reception.
Repeatedly during the day assaulting
columns would move up, to be each
time severely punished and repulsed.
Some time during the day Rosecrans
returned to Chattanooga and Thomas
was left in command. Chicamaaga!
How can [ tell of it's horrors or paint
in words it's deeds of s'high emprise e.
How can portray the wonderful story
of that Sabbath days valiant work,
when Thomas held at bay the oLtnum-
bering columns of the foe with his en-
circled wall of steel
Minstrelsy and poesy, the inspiration
OF the painter and the enchanted num-
bers of song will give it all it's full
flushed need of glory. Then back
through the bitter night we filed and
pitched our camps at Chattanooga, ano
there for long woeful weeks we held
our position in the face of the be-
leaguering enemy without any gripping
famine and mortal disease, grim and
unsparing in our very midst. In the
strong terse words of Gen. Thomas
eve proposed to hold the place till we
starved.' This was the last battle
fought by Rosecrans. He was relieved,
and Gen. Grant was assigned to this