National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-11-20

Bragg In Kentucky. General Thomas with
his own division joined General Buell. at Pre-
Wits Knob on the Goth, and on tho following
day General Bragg began retreat, leaving an
open way for tho march Of the Army of the
Ohio to Louisville. which city lie reached on
the goth About the middle Of August Gem
erd Morgan was compelled TO cvacuatt Cumber-
land Gap, and thus left tile road FREQ for q rebel
invasion of Kentucky. Meanwhile the Depart
ment OF the Ohio was reconstructed SO as to en-
brace tho States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
Wisconsin and q portion of Kentucky and
placed uuder tho conlmnna Of Maior.GeneraI
II. @. Wright On the Goth General Manson's
and General Cruft's brigadcs were defeated nc
Richmond KY, by General Il. Kirby Smith,
and tho troops fell back in confusion 10 Louis
vile, where the greatest excitement prevailed,
as there was now no wcll-organized force TO
meet tho advancing enemy. General Smith,
however, having approached very noar TO Cow
ington, there awaited the results of the move-
mcnt OF tho armies Of Generals Bragg and Buell.
toward Louisville. General Buell., upon arriv-
ipg at Louisville, at onco began preparations
ior M active campaign against General Bragg.
on the 29tli OF September General Thomas re.
celved an order from General Hallcck, Com
inander'ln-chief, assigning him to the COM
mand of the Army of tho Ohio. but at his re-.
quest General Buell. was retained.
Tho day following General Thomas yas an
n0unced as second in command. General
Buell. commenced his movement against Gem
orul Bragg on tho list day Of October. Tho
army arrived at Pcrryville on the 7th, aud ON
the following morning an engagement with
the enemy commenced, General McCook's
two divisions sustaining the brunt of tho
battle. During tho night tho enemy retired
toward Harrodsburg After pursuing General
Bragg as far Ms London, tho Army of the Ohio
turned toward Bowling Green, preparatory to
a movement TO Nashville. General Buoll re-
tired to Louisville, leaving General Thomas
in chief command. General Buell. oxp, cted
that Bragg would attack Nashville, and for
that reason turned his columns in that direc-
ton. But the authorities ut Washington Or
dercd that his army should enter East Tenncs.
see. This difference of opinion elected q
lengthy discussion, which terminated in the
romoval Of General Buell. from tho com nand
OF tho Army of the Ohio ON the Both of Oc-
tobor.
The Department Of the Cumberland was
thereupon re-created aud Major-General W. 8.
Rosecrnns succeeded to the command. Tho
troops Of the department were designated rs
tho Fourteenth army corps This designation
soon gave place to the more popular ono,
Army of the Cumberland" General Rose
Grams Immediately prepared to concentrate his
forces ut Nashville, and lie ordered an advance
to that city on the 4th of November. The I'D.
vance of McCook and Crittonden relieved
Nashville from siege. A number Of minor en-
gagemcnts occurred during the month that
followed. On the 9Th Of December Colonel
Moor's command was surprised aud compelled
to surrender by the rebel General Morgan.
Colonel Stanly Matthews brigade, while on a
ioraging expedition on the 9th, was intercepted
by General Wheeler with force of caynlry.
but the latter was compelled to withdraw.
On the 18th, Brigadier.General ID. S. Stanley,
Chief of Cavalry, drove the rebos from Frank
lin. Later Ia the same month General Nor
gan moved into Kentucky with strong
force to destroy General Rosecrans' commu-
nications. After doing great damage aud suf-
fering eat loss at the hands Of Colonel Hob
sons, General Dumont's and Colonel Harlan's
commands, he was driven back toward Bards.
town. Meanwhile General Carter, by direc-
tion Of General Rosecrans, conducted success
ful raid into East Tennessee for the purpose
Of injurng tho Tennessee & Virginia rail-
road While other minor operations were in
progress General Rosecrans prepared for an
advance against General Bragg, at Murfrees-
Doro, and tho order to march was given Christ
mas Day. The enemy was first met and dis
lodged at Nolansville. On the Goth tho Army
of the Cumberland was disposed for battle in
front OF General Bragg's line on the Stone
river, ut Murfreesboro The battle was
opened by the enemy on tho 3lst, and con.
tinued four days, with great loss on both
sides. At first the rapid movements and
horce assaults OF the enemy were so successful
that the uttor defeat of the Union army
seemed imminent, but the stubborn re.
sistauce offered to every assault finally
wearied and discouraged the enemy. On the
Sd Of January, 1868, Bragg retreated, aud oil
the 9th the Army of the Cumberland occupied
Murireesboro. For six months following the
army remained comparatively inactive in tho
vicinity of Murfreesboro. During this time
attention was given TO tile recupoIation and
reinforcement of the army and to reconnoiter-
ing There were many minor engagements
and military enterprises to keep the troops
employed. Notable among these was an expe-
dtion in March, south from Franklin, under
Colonel John Coburn, which resulted disus-
trously to tho Union forces engaged. Coburn,
having penetrated too far the lines of the
enemy, and being unable to extricate himself,
was forced to surrender, and three regiments.
Colonel A. 5. Hall met the rebel leader, Nor.
gan, on the 18th of March and Inflicted severe
defeat. On the 1st Of April General Stanley
drove Morgan from Snow Hill. General For
rest meanwhile conducted several successful
raids An expedition. organized under Colonel
A. ID. Streight, In April for penetration into
Alabama ana Georgia, after meeting num-
Der OF reserves, was forced to surrender TO
Forrest. On tho 23d of June orders wore
given for the advance Of tho Army Of the Cum
berland against the strong lines of the enemy
at Duck river. Then began the Tullahoms
campaign, which resulted in nino days in re.
gaining complete possession of Middle Ten
successful. The enemy was first encountered
at Liberty Gap, and were driven back On
the 26th General Thomas advanced to Fair
fold, met tho enemy In force aud compelled
him to withdraw. Manchester was captured
on the 9Th, and Bragg withdrew from his
first line of deienses without any general en-
gagement On the 29th the army advanced
to within two miles of Tulahoma aud on the
following day Bragg, without inviting,
attack, Withdrew from that place and hastily
retreated before tho advancing army Thusa
short and spirited campaign was crowned with
success. On the l4th Of July General stan
ley's cavalry occupied Huntsville, Ala. About
the middle of August the army began an ad-
vance to Chattanooga. The movement Of the
infantry across the Cumberland river was
commenced on the 10th. On the 9th of Sep
tcnber the army lay along tho western base
of Lookout Mountain, six or seven miles from
Chattanooga: On the Sth, Bragg being OUT
witted, evacuated Chattanooga, and that point
fell into General Rosecrans' hands. Then be-
gan the movements which resulted In the
memorable battle of Chickamauga. Both
armies began TO concentrate on the Chicka-
mauga about Lookout Mountain. General
Rosecrans forces were ut first divided
and cXnoscl lint tho tnrdu pnamU falling IN