The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-03-12

failed utterly to secure TINS road lhoinaS
held it till dark. and then withdrew his en-
tire army to the passes in Missionary Ridge
at Rossville, through which 1t ran 10 Chat
tanooga. By this test should the question OF
victory be decided.
Through delay on the part of Polk the
battle did not open till $50. The heavy
morning fog had only partially lifted.
Breckenridge at that hour moved with great
determination on Baird, only to be broken
and sent back after an hours furious assault
on the temporary works which shielded the
Union line. CIehurne followed him IN a
similar assault, with the same brave and
useless attark On johnson. Palmer
next received similar tremendous blows.
Though the Confederate lines come,
without fiinching. close 10 the light
breastwcfks, their strength melted away
before they could cross tAem. At IL O'Clock
Breckinridge, strongly supported, moved
first to his right, thus overlapping Baird S
left, swept with two brigades across the
State road, wheeled full around into the
Union rear. and began TO advance upon it
with his lines across the road. tlcburnc
was assaulting again in 'front.', as Breckenridge
reached point where his rifles commanded
the rear. All these hours, and from
daylight. Thomas had been calling Tor troops
10 strengthen the left. While RoSocranS had
early ordered Ncgiey 10 Thomas, only one
brigade had arrived. But Brannan, who had
been called on. though not able 10 take his
division out of the line, promptly sent his
reserve brigade, Van Derveers. The latter,
marching rapidly cut of the woods which
skirted the State road into an open field,
without previous intimstiou of a rebel force
being in the rear, found Breckinriaee's two
brigades directly on its flank only short rife
range away. Without hesitating, Van Der
veer wheeled his brigade under a hot IRE,
and facing SreckiBudge, then only hun
dred yards away, delivered stunning voliey,
which checked lhe rebel line. Next, without
pause. he sent his brigade charging at q
run and with yell inte the very faces of
the ConfedersteS. The rapidity and audac-
ity of the movement gave it success. Beck
inridge's line fell hack in disorder, closely
pursued. Two other brigssIes from the rear
of the left divisions joining IN the pursuit,
Breckenridge was driven back around the
Union left. Helms left brigade of Bpeckin-
ridges line had struck Bands refused line,
and been sfiect0aliy broken on it, Thus,
by hot fighting in the broastwoTks, and Van
Derveer's oplsortgne arrival and NEST h;iI-
liant and daring work, the left was saved.
WoeD's WITHDRAWAL.
Meanwhile. events were occurring on the
center, which, for time threatened complete
overthrow 10 the Union army. Brannan's line. as
has been stated, wSS the right of Reynolds,
but somewhat retired. Next on the right was
Wood, with the portions of McCook s and Crit
tenden's Corps not already fighting on the left,
TO the right Cd Weod. Aboa: IL o'clock. Hs1 after
Brannan had sent his reserve brigade 10
Thomas Neod received an order to close ep on
Reynolds aud support him. Thomas had asked
for Brannan, and he had been ordered TO ge
and Rosecrans supposed he had moved. But
Brannan seeing that the rebel line was advanc-
ing his position, exercised a wise discTe-
tien, and only sent his reserve brigade
Wood, on Braanan's right, could see ali the
signs of heavy front attack on his position
for Longstreet. with his fresh troops, was aa-
yaneing Wood also knew that BranHan was
between him and Reynolds and that he oe1ld
not close on the latter But without waiting
a moment, or exercising discretion which it
was his pain duty To consider. he hastily with
drew his division from the front line, in the
very face OF LGRgssreets advance, and hurried
ii in rear Of BTannan, towards the rear Of
Reynolds. Before he had entirely left his po-
sition the STERN burst. Five rebel divisions,
like an immense wedge were driven into this
opening, with all the strength of blow for
which LoHgstFeet was famous. Wood was
partly broken while retiring. Negiey. in mo-
tion toward Thomas, was caught in the IHsh,
his rear brigade shattered, and Negley himself
so shamefully demoralized that fer tine mo-
ment, he was more potent in working mis-
chief IN the rear OF the Union lines than the
rebels on their froat or GA their danks. Five
1rigades Of McCoek, including Sheridan's Di-
vision, and two brigades of Crittenden were
cut off on the right and driven in much coz
fusion over the ridges in the direction of Ross
vile. where, later in the day, these and the
stragglers from the field were rallied. Rose
Grams and has staff. and Mct)oek and Critten-
den, were all caught in this disorleTed mass,
and rode first TO Rossvilie and thence TO Chat
tanooga.
But they had been deceived regarding The
condition of the general line. Nothing to the
left of Wood had given way. Brannan, taken
full in flank and rear ny Lengstreets sue
cess, withdrew his line in fair order, taking
position nearly at right angles TO his former
position, and on a line OF hills commanding
Longstrect's right. Wood, in rear of Brannan,
moved into the gap between graHnan and
Reynolds, sad again the Union line was nearly
complete 10 Bard on the left. Here Woad
fought tail night with such skill, courage, and
effect as 10 cause all admirers OF valor TO
dOabiy regret the grave mistake Of the fore
noon.
Whiie Brannan and Wood were using almost
superluGsan efforts 10 soIidify aud arrange
their nyw liaes. and when every man was soroiy
needed, NeGley. with part of lis own command
having Withdrawn from the line OF fire few
about like one dcaientsd, ordering such bat
teries as he could siud and zuch tToogs as 1yoald
obey bim TO follow him To the rear. He tfaS led
several Thousand men and several batteries off
to Rossviiie prOclamin2 20 those abouf him
and those le sought 10 have j9ia him. that he
was conducting the retreat OF the glaad
army To those waO watched the scene. and
those who received aud di.obeyed his orders TO
leave the field, it has always been "a mystery
la Il 81,
day.
THOMAS Al BAY.
But ai lcngsh Thomas stood alone his lines
freed frota Ssfsgpicss and disorder, and rapidly
closing Tor their death gsappie Lsnestreet
had thrust Eve divisions with a sixth in re-
serve. tl:oagh the Union center. and had
wheeled 10 his right To ftce the new lines OF
Brannau and Wood. Brannan had FOUGHT all
the way back to his position on the ridge
lie still had only two brjgades, as Van Der
veers Lad rot yet returned from its fight
with BGefkinTidgo But these two. with
Woods ass stance had held IonCstreefs right
in check, and the great sweep of the wheel
necessary 10 bring thC egyny's left around 10
face the range on which Brannan was de-
layed a regular attack upon IL ill 2 O'Clock
Meantime Makers trcbvi) Corps had again
assaulted along the front O. Palmer and Johnson
and bcen uiSastrogsiy repnlsed, and white tie
fighting continued brisk aioug The entire front
at short intervals TIL night, All Ihat could
possibly bU spared OF the Confederate army
was gathered fer tremendous attack oa
Tho@as's right Before ] o'clock lsoBcstcoet