The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-05-27
A Vista From Lookout Mountain.

A Tennessee correspondent OF the Al
bany Journal writes: For moderate |
fee my companion and l were padded |
across Chattanooga creek, which Is Or
dinarily a narrow stream, but which |
had now stretched to width of two
miles. Landing at the foot of Lookout
Mountain, we tramped up its steep sides
to the summit by the grade of the new
incline railway which is being con-
structed. 1t was a tiresome walk to one
unused to it. but was well worth the
trouble Passing around the base OF
| the perpendicular cliff on the north side
| of the mountain, known as Point Look
| out. we hailed man who was peering
down upon us, and by the use of the
| ladder which he lowered and the ex-
penditure of 25 cents each we were soon
standing on the breezy eminence, gaz-
| ing in raptures at the magnificent view
| which spread itself out like panorama
before us.
| There is no grander outlook in the
world than that presented from the
summit of these cliffs, either for the
lover of nature or the student of Ameri-
can history. At this time, however, the
whole aspect of the surrounding coun-
try was changed by the prevailing
foods, Chattanooga was undergoing
another siege, communication being cut
off on every hand, not by armed men,
but by the angry waters. The tremen-
dous food, extending far up the Chatta-
nooga valley, between Lookout and
Missionary ridge, with the hundreds of
submerged buildings, presented wild
scene. Farther to the east, looking
over Missionary ridge, Chickamauga
creek could be seen widened into an
immense river, and by the aid of a
| field-glass many pretty residences could
be seen nearly covered with water.
Looking towards the northeast as far as
the eve could reach, we could see the
swelled current of the Tennessee come
rushing out from among the noun
tains, bearing on its bosom an immense
mass of driftwood, among which was
occasionally mingled frame building
:, | that had been torn from its foundation,
the remnants of demoralized timber
| raft, the body of some unfortunate horse
: or cow, and various other property OF
4 value. The tide swept westward past
= the northern limit of Missionary ridge.
making sharp turn southwark around
S Cameron hill. and after furious on
:, slaught at the base of Lookout again
a abruptly turned to the west and north,
g around Moccasin bend, and plunged
!. out of sight between the hills. The
e proper channel of the river could be
@ distinguished by the tops of the trees
$ along its margin, which were just put
@ ting on their green mantles- The an
Q CRY flood laved the foot of the Raccoon
!. mountains, and the backwaters flooded
II the valley to the west over which Gep.
0 Joe Hooker's gallant army marched on
v that memorable day Nov 25, 1869
v and clambering up the steep western
side of old Lookout, under cover of the
morning mist, fought the great battle
among the clouds. Far below us to the
e e left could be seen square green patel
y on which farmhouse is located. nov
! an island. being entirely surrounded b,
:, water. This is the eminence which wa
o occupied as the headquarters of Gen
- Hooker during the noted battle. In
;, mediately back of where we stand
Pulpit rock, from the summit of whicl
!: the signal waved announcing the grea
u n victory In fancy we can hear the an
Ix swering shouts from the thousands o
- exultant heroes who were resting thei
e tired bodies along the mountain slope
= =. and far below, over the valley tc
W ward Missionary ridge.