Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-02
sTORnING MISSIONARY RIDGE.
Sheridan's " q aterfuI Charge Described
by gen. Esoynfou.

Sheridan's W q aderfuI Charge Described
by gen. Isoynsen.
Gen sheridan became famous first In the Army
OF the Cumberland. He commanded division at
Chattanooga, and ct the battle OF Missionary
Ridge won glory enough to have secured his place
In history II he haI never drawn his sword again
Gen. II. V. BOyntOr. Washington correspond mt OF
the Cincinnati Com SBerc1I Gazette who took part
in the battle describes the stOrming OF the heights
and Sheridan's part IN IL, as follows: "The end
and the proud crowhing OF his infantry service
came at the stOTmlng OF Missionary Ridge. Who
OF those whose eyes were blessed with the sight Of
that magnificent spectacle, as the Army Of the
Cumberland swept forward IN grand assault, Will
ever forget the scene? IT was a storming army.
anu every man IN Its lines was a hero. But, as
zone star differed from another star IN glory" 50
II was given % sheridan TO shine prominently In
that galaxy OF heroes.
at was the third and last day OF the battle. on
the arst Thomas had sent Hooker TO the Success
IUl assault on LOOKOUT. on the second Sheridan
had taken brilliant part in a movement, which
in It's precision mistaken by the enemy Tor a
review. but which ended with the rush which cap
turei orchard Knob. on the last, four divisions
OF the Army OF the Cumberland lay from morning
I'LL near sundOwn facing the RIDGE and impatiently
watching the terrible pendulum swings OF the
splendid but unsucccsslui assaults or Sherman'S
troops on its northern extremity, which were
plainly seen from orchard knOh, where Grant,
-, :, 60 eiielah stV9d ma.ciliAs Wy ~ "a
hour after hour, with an intensity or interest ana
growing impotence which were instparaDe
from the situation The sun was nearing the
western ranges. HOOker'S guns had not been
heard on the night, and sherman was unable with
all his forces 10 make further impression on the
left. Baird was hurried To his and lie then had
seven divisions, or over half the Union Army, but
there being no room for Baird 20 operate, ne re-
turned 20 the CENTER and bad just formed again on
the LETT Of the Array OF the Cumberland, when The
grand spectacular movement began which closed
The night.
"It came from a sudden change In the plan OF
battle. demanded by the exisencies Of the field
Thomas was ordered TO move directly against the
Ridge. 10 was O'Clock IN the afternoon when
he received orders TO advance -Four OF his diViS-
Ions. with front OK about ~ miles, stood facing
the Ridge, at distance OF 4 miles from its base.
johnson he Ia the right, sheridan and Wood the
center ard Baird The Ien The ground between
them and the Ridge was plane, broken with shall
low streams ana thinly covered with patches of
thickct and forest The rebel works along the
foot OF the hills could be plainly seen. the ground
before them having been well cleared 10 give
effective play 70 the guns. Half way up the slope
was second line, While the crest was strength
ened with continuous Held works, carrying nifty
guns, and defended along the line Of Thomas
assault by four veteran divisions.
1.-The day had been clear and warm and its scenes
such as 10 raise enthusiasm 10 its height and eX-
ciJe the extreme OF Impotence in all disengaged
fierce lighting OF sherman, the play OF the heavy
guns In the Union FORTS the fast-wOrked artillery
% orchard hhoo, anu Va answering cahnohade
from the summit OF the ridge caused this army,
facing IL SO long Ia Inactivity, To Chafe under the
delay, and spring forward when iOOsed with an
uncomfortable force born OF the long restraint I'M
posed throughout a day OF such Inspiring scenes.
''At $3.50 O'Clock, al q signal OF six guns from
Orchard Knob @O,OO0 men, in four lines, swept
forward over the plain, deplOying somewhat as
they advanced so as 70 cover 3 miles OF the ridge
Fifty guns TalDed shot and shell upon them as
they started and sprinkied them with deadly
sleeJ over al the way. There were many dead and
wounded. but no Straggiers, as those magnificent
waves of battle rolled on In fifteen minutes they
Were within TangeOi the CALLING infantry flre from
the lower nne OF works; IN fifteen minutes they
had swept over them along their entire front, and
the rebel troops not captured were in run retreat
toward their second line above.
'.The orders for the movement contemplated a
halt In the DrSt line OF works for slight rest, and
a reforming of lines for forward movement; but
impatient under the CALLING fire from above,
elaIed by success, anxious and determined TO
play their fun part In the days pageant, the
front line scarcely halted at the lower works,
but sprlnging over and out OF them began 10
climb the rough face OF the ridge. IL was 500
yards to the summit. The general elevation was
800 feet, and from point a short distance within
the works at the base the slope became precipi-
tious. It was broken by ravine, tangled with
fallen timber, strewn with masses OF rock, and
covered at points with loose stone from the
lodges on the crest. spurs projected from the
face OF the ridge at Intervals, serving for
natural baSiiOnS, from which field artillery
and rlflemeu swept the Intervening curtains
OF the slope with an eniilading IRE. But MOTH
ing less than the palisades of Lookout could
have stopped that Army OF the Cumberland,
though Bragg and his thousands above still deemed
their Position impiegnabie. All heights were
1riDged with spectators OF that wonderful assault
The guns In the Union works which had covered
the flgst advance We're necessarily silent. The
slOQe ciear on the slopes, and the advancing nagS
and glitJering bayOneJS marked the rush OF the
swim advance. Under the nre OF the SbarpshOoters
coOrbearers fell at every point OF the line, only 10
he relieved by other hands eagerly bearing the
COlOrs forward. This deadly fire gradually drew
each regiment toward It's flag, and soon, far
as the eve could reach along the slope, the line
was Transformed into countless wedge-shaped
masses, with flag at the point Of each, cleaving
their way upward, following the headlOng push or
the guards bearing the colOrs. The rebels that had
been hurled back from the lower line were soon
driven out of the second parallel ana thence pur-
closely 10 the summit that retreating Con-
whole extended line OF works together. There was
sharp hand-tO-hand fighting aI points, after the
crest was gained, anu battle OF much spirit on
the left, where columns OF the enemy, hurrying
from SheTman'S front, undertook, but without sue
cess, TO drive Baird back. Bragg and Breck1n-
ridge IN person barely escaped SherldanS troops
when they crowned the summit.
Forty guns and several thousand prisoners were
taken In the WORKS. From the trst IL lad been an
advance almost wholly without nring. Each sue
ceSSlve line or works and the summit were carried
of the signal guns Bragg mad been swept from
these dom mating positions OF "A great natural fort
Tess. strengt heued by every engineering ART, and
the sun. which, at It's rising, h.Ated up that one
nag at LOOKOUT. rested, at Its setting the count
less banners which a stoFming army had planted
along the crest OF Missionary Ridge.
'-IhTOUghOut THIS movement sheridan was con-
splcuO0s, followed b. mis- stan. AS ever, he was
spleDdl1ly mounted, and could be easily followed
by ali eye As he dashed across the plain and rode
with his lines 10 and over the crest and without
halt hurled forward upon the retreatiug enemy.
Good Thing. 90 knOW.