St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-03

word was spoken the whole of Cheath-
ANS division began to march in solid
line. The enemy was firing from be-
hind logs and trees and out of bushes,
and was doing some deadly work. We
were on the extreme right of the whole
command. A portion of Gen. Forests
cavalry supported our right.
Slowly and deliberately we marched
on toward the enemy without break
III the lines, save when one of our men
would fall wounded or killed, and then
the gap would be Immediately filed.
LOngstreet'S corps began to drive them
back Immediately on our left. Gen.
Cheatham, who all this time was in
front, now shouted: 'sCharge them and
give them hell" Gen. Polk responded:
DO as Gen. Cheatham says" One long
shout rose from the whole division, and
the entire line started in run. Gen.
L0ngstreetS division caught up the
shout and the whole line followed.
1t was fearful shout to the federals.
but it was victorious one to US. The
whole world seemed to vibrate and ring
in terrible sound. 1t took but few
steps to put us on top of their temporary
breastworkS, and there before us, and
i'll short shooting range, we saw solid
mass Of blue line of federalS which
AcOhNu inv Az WOO lOh1 oOOPs OoGA -
solid line we never had met before.
For some twenty minutes we gave them
what Gen. Cheathham had commanded,
and received about as much as we gave.
1t looked as if both sides intended to
hold their ground, neither wavering,
when suddenly we heard another vic
torious rebel yell right behind us. Gen.
Breckinridge'S division was coming in
full tilt upon charge. They had been
sent to support US, and over we went on
the enemy like a tornado. and they
turned and fed like scattered sheep.
BY this time Gen. Longstreet had
them in full flight before him. Their
whole line then gave way, and it was
foot race for mile or more. they fleeing
and we holly pursuing. The day was
ours, and the whole federal line for the
balance of the day was fleeing, scat
tering stampede. For four miles we
kept continual fast march, driving
them and pursuing SO closely they
never got into line again.
We marched over dead and dying
men all the rest of the day, over the
hills and down the valleys. pouring vol
ley after volley into them whenever
they would attempt to rally. They
were fleeing toward Chattanooga. The
valley between Lookout Mountain and
was d ulooo VI uCdu
men. wounded men, dead horses,
wounded horses, dismonnted cannon,
and broken wagons, all piled together.
Gen. Forests men had gotten around
on the Lookout mountain side and
were sending death into them,
While the artillery and infantry
hurled shot, bombShellS, and bull
lets into them from the Missionary
Ridge side. They were in full flight,
their wagons and artillery running over
and trampling the infantry. The
stampede equaled frightened herd Of
cattle. The Tennessee river in front of
them, Lookout mountain. with lis lofty
summit and foot resting on the river and
running back on one side, and Mission
airy Ridge, with one end resting on the
river and running back, almost con-
necJing with Lookout mountain, on the
other side, the three forming triangu-
lar valley. In coming down this valley
they were in net, and our army. III
full glee, was following hard after
them. Night closed the days work.
If Joshua could have then checked
the setting sun one hour longer their
whole army would have been in the
hands OF the ConfederateS. Prisoners,
small arms, artillery, wagons and COM
missary stores of every kind had fallen
into our hands. The dying and the
dead were scattered every Where-some
in heaps-shot in every conceivable
manner. Dead and wounded horses as
horribly mangled as the men. This is
no imaginary picture, but small part
of the scenes that the battle field pre-
scented that night. ALI night long that
cold September night the groanS and
dying Shrieks were heard through the
darkness. The night was spent car
ing for the Wounded-the dead took
care of themselves. They were never
buried.
For years afterwards the battle-ground
of old Chickamauga shone like bright
moonlight, even on the darkest nights.
The bones resembied piles of phcspho-
rus, or fox-fire, that lighted the dark
woods. The battle was over. The next
day we took our position on Missionary
Ridge. and for two months looked over
into Chattanooga at the enemy recruit
ing and rebuilding their broken army.
Why we did not follow up the battle
the next day no one will, reckon, ever
know. This is one instance that Gen.
Bragg never retreated; but, like all
others he fought. he never knew what
he had done. He certainly did not
know the spirit of his troops, nor their
courage. Not man in the line but felt
like going on, and was willing and beg
ging to 90 on. Had Gen. Forrest, or
some man of his character, been in
command that day the Federal army
would have been captured, with hardly
one left to tell the tale.
We had gained great victory. but
they had gained as much as we. They
had gained possession OF Chattanooga.