Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-01-08
County Qmeers.
missionary Ridge.

From General Grants paper Oh
"Chattanooga," i'll the November Gen.
tuvV. we quote the following: ''Sheri-
dams and Woods divisions. had been
lying under arms from early in the
morning, ready 10 move the instant the
signal was given. | directed Thomas
to order the charge at once. watched
eagerly to see the effect, and became
impatient, at last, that there was no
Indication of any charge being made.
Tie center Of the line which was to
,1pake the charge was near where
Thomas and | stood together, but con-
cealed from u view by the intervening
forest. Turning to Thomas to inquire
what caused the delay, l was surprised
to see General Thomas j. Wood, one of
the DIVISION commanders who was to
maxi the charge, standing talking to.
him. lspoke to General Wood, asking
him why he had not charged, as order
ed an hour before. He replied very
promptly that this was the first he had
heard OF it, but that he had been ready
all day at a moments notice. | told
him to make the charge at once. He
was Oft in Il moment; and in an incred-
scAS Si1Oll lily 1oNu SuCClllA WAS llCtlu,
and he and Sheridan were driving the
enemy's advance before them toward
Missionary Ridge.
''tIhe enemy was strongly intrenched
on the crest OF the ridge in front of us,
and had a second line halfway down,
and another at the base. Our men
drove the troops in front of the lower
line OF rillc-pits SO rapidly, and follow
ed them so closely, that rebel and Un-
lon troops went over the first line of
works almost at the same time. Many
rebels were captured and Sent to the
rear under the fire Of their own friends
higher up the hill. Those that were
not captured retreated, and were pur-
sued. The retreating hordes being be-
tween friends and pursuers. made the
lire of the enemy high, to avoid killing
their own men. In fact, on that occa-
sion the Union soldier nearest the en-
envy was in the safest position. With
out awaiting further orders OF stopping
to reform, on our troops went to the
second line OF works; over that, and on
for the crest, thus etfectually carrying
out my orders Of the 18th for the battle
and the gath for this charge. watch
ca their progress with intense interest.
1he tire along the rebel line was terri
tic. Cannon and musket balls filled
the air; but the damage done was in
small proportion to the ammunition
used. The pursuit continued until the
crest was reached, and soon our men
were seen climbing over the Confcder-
ate barrier at different points in front
OF both Sheridan's and Woods divi-
slons. The retreat of the enemy along
most Of his line was precipitatc, and
the panic SO great that Bragg and his
officers lost all control over their men.
Many We're captured and thousands
threw away their arms in their retreat.
Sheridan pushed forward until he
reached the Chickamauga River at a
point above where the enemy crossed.
He met some resistance from troops
occupying a second hill in rear of Mis-
sionary Ridge, probably to cover the
retreat OF the main body, and of the
artillery and trains. 1t was now GET
ting dark, but Sheridan, without halt
ing on that. account, pushed his men
forward up this second hill slowly, and
without attracting the attention of the
men placed to defend it, while he de-
tached toHthe right and left to surround
the position. The enemy discovered
the movement before these dispositions
were complete, and beat a hasty re-
treat, leaving artillery, wagon trains,
and many prisoners in our hands. TO
Sheridan's prompt movement the Army
OF the Cumberland and tbs nation are
indebted for the bulk of the capture of
prisoners, artillery, and small arms
that day. But for his prompt pursuit,
so much III this way would not have
been accomplished"