Omaha daily bee., 1885-11-12
nftsstouarV HidgN.

From General Grants paper on 'Chat-
kanooxa," In tho November Century, we
quote the ~followingi. "Sheridan's and
Woods divisions had been lying under
arms from early In the morning, ready
to move the instant the signal was given.
/ directed Thomas to order the charge at
once. | watched eagerly to sec the effect,
and became impatient at last that there
was no indication OF any cnargo being
made. The center of the line which was
10 make the charge was neal where
Thomas aud | stood together, but con.
ccalod from our view by the intervening
forest. Turning IL Thomas TO inquire
what caused the delay, | was surprised to
see General Thomas j. Wood, one of the
division commanders Who was to make
the charge, standing talking to him. |
spoke to Gen. Wood, asking him why he
had moi charged, as ordered an hour be-
fore. He replied very promptly that this
was the first he had heard OF 1t, but
that he had been ready all day at a mo-
ment's notice. | told him to make the
charge at once. He was oil in n moment;
and in an incredibly short time loud
cheering was heard, and he and Sheridan
were driving the enemy advance before
them toward Missionary Ridge. y&.
The CnCmN was strongly intrGnched
on the crest OF the ridge in front OF us,
and had n second line half way down aud
another ut the base, Our men drove tho
troops in front of the lower line OF rifle
pits So rapidly, aud followed tiom up SO
closely, that rebel and union troops went
over the first line Of works almost ut the
same time, Many rebels were captured
and sent to the rear under the lire, OF
their own friends higher up the hill.
Those that were not captured r treated,
and were pursued. The rctreating hordes
being between friends and pursuors.
made the fire OF the enemy high to avoid
killing their own men. In fact, on that
occasion the union soldier nearest the
enemy was in the safest position. With
out awaiting further orjc.S or stOppingto
reform, our troops went to the second
line OF works; over mat, and on for tho
crest, thus u,iectualiy carrying out my
orders OF the 10Th tor the bate and the
24th Tor the charge, | watched their
progress with intense interest. The fire
along the rebel line was terrific. Clnnon
and muskct balls TILED the air; but the
damage done was in small proportion 10
the ammunition used. Tho pursuit con.
tinucu until the crest was reached, and
soon our men were seen climbing over
thc confederate barrier mt di ferent
points in front OF both Sheridan's and
Woods divisions. The retreat of the ctc.
my along most of his line was ~precipi.
tate, and the panic SO great thas Bragg
and his officers lost all control over thair
men. Many were captured md thOus-
ands threw away their arms in their re.
treat.
Sheridan pushed forward until he
reached the Chickamauga river ut u point
above whore the enemy crossed. He met
some resistance from troops occupying Il
second hill in the rear of Missionary
Ridge, probably TO cover the retreat of
the main body, and of the artillery and
trains. IL was now getting dark, bat
Sheridan, without hating on that nc
count, pushed his mon forward up this
s second hill slowly and without attracting
the attention of the men placed to defend
it, while he detached to the right and left
to surround the position. The enemy
discovered the movement before these
dispositions Were complete, and beat IL
husty retreat, leaving artillery, wagon
trains, and many prisoners in our hands.
To Sheridan $ prompt movement tho
Army OF the Cumberland and tho nat on
are indebted for the bulk of the capture
OF prisoners, artillery and Smrll arms
can't day. But or his prompt pursuit sc
much III this way woutd not have been
accomplished.