The National tribune., 1888-08-09
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
cHICKAMAUGA.

Tie Battle - Seen by Soldier iB the Hanks
FDrroR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: At Chicks-
nsuga g tanguinary battle was fought, and
while the hero Of Stone River lost his laurels,
his willy competitor also came to grief
Roseorans defeated held the field, Bragg sue
cessful was compelled to retreat
in June, 1863 the authorities at Washing
ton were convinced that BTagg's army was
being weakened TO strengthen Lee and urged
R0secrans to bring on a contest with him and
destroy or drive him back into Georgia Rose
Grams and his advisors hesItsted on the grounds
Of a deficiency in cavalry, and the Importance
Of lighting near his DISQUALIFICATION Never
theless he commenced ca the 25th q series Of
manuvers, which, without great battle, COM
PEELED Bragg to abandon Middle Tennessee aud
retreat upon Chattanooga. This point be for
tilted on the south side as lar up as Blytheas
Ferry grand campai On Was designed. Rose
GRAMS with the main column, was to move on
Chattanooga from Tullahoma and Winchester,
while the Army Of the Ohio, under Burnside,
should move from Lexington KY, via Knox
vile; ROsecrans marching almost due east
about so miles, Burnside south about2O0 miles.
Burnside moved Aug. q, and reached Knox
vile on the Sd of September which surrender
&C Internationally on the 9Th with 1000 prIs-
oners, IA pieces OF artillery, and other military
stores.
Burnside teiegraphed that he held Cumber-
land Gap, with all of East Tennessee above
Joudon, with the gaps of the mountains of
North Carolina, and was directed by Gen.
HaIicck TO concentrate the principal portion of
his victorious legious on the Tennessee west
from London, 10 cooperate with Rosecrans, who
was To occupy Dalton or some point on the rail-
road, 10 close all access from Atlanta and also
the mountain passes in the west.
ROsecrans advanced on Chattanooga. and
found il too strong 70 be carried by assault, and
by series Of mastery nanuvers compelled
Bragg to abandon his stronghold and retreat
and the Federal left wing entered the city
Bragg returned toward Cleveland and Dalton,
important points on the triangle Of the West
eTn and Atlantic Railway.
ROsecrans pushed On n pursuit, and the
authorities at Washington, fearing Bragg was
being reinforced by the flower Of Lees army,
telegraphed on the 18th Of September TO Gen.
Hurlbut al Memphis TO leave Steele to defend
himself and send al his available strength to
Corinth and Tuscumbia to aid Rosecrans, and
IN the event that Bragg should attempt to turn
the Federal right and Tecross the river into
Tennessee Hurlbut was 10 send to Sherman for
help. Gems. Grant and Sherman were also
telegrsphed % at Nicksburg with similar direc-
tons. On the 14tb Hurlbut and Burnside were
directed to hurry forward reinforcements with
all possible speed while similar orders were
given TO Gen. Pope in command Of the North
west, and Gen. Schofeld, Of Missouri.
On the l4th the enemy was concentrated
near Lafayette, Ga. By repeated cavalry raids
from the base Of his supplies and TO thrust the
rebel wedge between him and Burnside, but
was IN fact awaiting reInfoTcements, which
were reaching him. Iohnstonls troops from
Mississippi and the men captured at Yicksburg
and Port Hudson which were, with the usual
rebel candor, declared exchanged, were there,
and Bragg only awaited the arrival Of Long
street with his veteran corps, when he meant
70 aVeuge amid Georgian mountains his de-
feat al Stone River. Rosecrans was deceived
BY the easy capture Of Chattanooga into the
belief that Bragg was demoralized and was
pressing on TO capture him with his whole
army. His lines stretched from GordOn's
Mills to A lpine, 40 miles, occupying the passes
Of Lookout Mountain. On the 10th he concen-
trsted on West Chickamauga Creek, 10 miles
northwest from Lafayette, Ca, With headqUar
tiers At GTawfsh Springs.
Here the strength Of the rebel force began TO
be felt when Gen. Thomas directed Negley to
debouch through a pass OF Pigeon Mountain,
but tie movement net such stanch resistance
IS 70 compel hasty retreat. This made the
Federal leaders consider whether Bragg meant
70 fight or secure his retreat, and they decided
that he meant TO give battle. Gen. McCook
was next DAY moving back on Lookout Mount
ain with orders 10 close on the center, while
Crttenden, a. GoTdon's Mills, placed his corps
in good position for defense. Rosecrans held
the ground west Of the creek the left on Cor
dons Mills, while Bragg was cast Of the stream,
with position favorable for masked move
ments. Had be hurled bis legions on Rose
Grams Immediately after Negley's repulse he
would have crushed him. McCook and 1homas
were separated nearly three days march !;
Crlttenden could send no help 10 Thomas with
out exposing Chattanooga, and Thomas. could
not 60 20 Crittenden without leaving McCook
st TIE mercy Of the rebel force But Bragg
waited, and Oh the 18th McCook brought his
dusty, trAvel-WoTn men 70 Thomas aud they
were placed in order Of battle. Reconnaissance
on the 18th convinced our headers that Bragg
was reinforced by the arrival Of a portion at
least o. L0ngstfeet's Corps, and that be was
nnassing his forces IN front Of the Federal left
center and left wing, with the purpose Of q
movement which would place them between
the Federal army and Chattanooga. Rosecrans
ordered q counter movement by the left flank,
wheeling his army and placing it down the
creek. During the night Of the 18th friday
tie Fourteenth Corps tThomas's}, forming the
center, With X. ". Jobnson's Division, Of Nc
Look e Corps. swung 70 the left past Critten-
oen's Twenty 6Tstj Corps, becoming the left
and making the Twenty first the center Of the
srmy. Davis and sheridan's Division, Of Nc
Cooks Corps, were 20 move into the position
occupied by the Fourteenth Corps, but had not
1uily occupied i before the opening Of the bat
Tie on The morning 81 Saturday the 18th. On
the night OF this memorable Saturday changes
were made IN both armies preparatory 10 the
terrible contest Of Sunday, the 10th The
Federal line was shortened about a mile the
right resting upon strong position az Mission
Ridge, Thomas still holding the left, Critten-
den the center, and McCook the right
The rebel commander divided his army into
two wings; Lieut.-Gen Polk on the right and
Iieut.-Gen. LOngstreet, who arrived on the
Geld az II O'Clock Oh the night Of the 18TH was
assigned 70 the command Of the left. The
rebel divisions At this time were commanded
by Gems. Preston, HindmaU Hood, Stew
art, Cheatham, Cleburne and Breckenridge
BTaRgs order was to begin the engage
ment on the right with Preston 10 lead
and 80 on, with HIndHan next Hood and so
on until ali were hurled against the Federal
forces. Lieut.-Gen. Polk was ordered TO open
the engagement at daybreak, hut from de-
rangemcnt q bis plans he was delayed until
q. M, when Breckenridge and Cieburne as
sailed Gen. Thomas. his men holding high
point, the key Of the position, had constructed
rude defense Of rails and logs. Onward came
the gray-clad legions, and were dashed back
ward. Again, aud yet again, the brigades ad.
Tanccd en- echelon, maddened 70 desperation
but melted ike frOst-ToFk before the Union
Ire. The rebel force was massed for inal
charge Thomas rode along his torn line and
Eteadied il. With great gallantry the rebel
army came again, but the Union men stood