The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-05-26
GRANT AND THOMAS.
How They Appeared to a Core
spondent when Missionary Ridge
Was Captured.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: During the
battle of Missionary Ridge there were on
Orchard Knob two men who specially were a
study-Grant and Thomas. 1t was an extra
ordinary occasion, and they were extraordin-
airy men acting extraordinary parts.
Late on the night before the battle had. IS
correspondent, been furnished with informa-
tion that caused me to reach the Knob at an
early hour. Grant and Thomas, with their
staff officers, one of whom was Gen. W. T.
Smith, whose part in the original plan of the
battle was very great, were already there.
Troops on our side were moving into position.
and heavy firing both sides had begun.
Corps brigades and lesser commanders in tws's
and three's at times came and departed, and
everything denoted great things for that day.
The rebels as IL was evident then, and as IL
has since como out, did not understand the
purport of this activity. On our left, Sher-
mans forces early engaged Braggs forces, and
Bragg was not long reaching ths conclusion
that it was small parade of the Union forces.
as those on the Ridge had been led to believe.
that was to take place. The artillery thun-
dered, end Shermans men went in to win.
Grant and Thomas on the Knob conferred
frequently and earnestly; Grant with q cigar
in his mouth, which he did not smoke, but
chowed with an energy indicative Of the state
of his mind. He was cool and calm, yet in
tsnsey interested, of course. With the treIDen-
dous results depending on the days opera
tions. which he so well describes In his MEM
oirs," it conld not be otherwise. It was his
won't to he so on such occasions. While Grant
chewed his cigar, Thomas stroked his beard,
which, at the time, was long and massive. In
low tones they conversed together, and with
eager eyes watched every movement; Grant
uniformly calling Thomas " George" and the
latter bestowing upon Grant the sppellstion of
General" 1t can be said that, with the plan
of the battle work ing, they felt reasonably sure
that Bragg's forces would be dispersed, If they
were not captured. There was one source of
doubt. Would Hooker come into place in time
to do the work assigned to him? Hookers
force was to operate the right, and to that
quarter Grant and Thomas as also all others
on the Knob bent an eager ear.
At moment Grant became not q little
concerned lest Sherman should become hard
pressed and need help. Baird's Division was
sent to him, but they came back, a messenger
from Sherman saying that he could do his work
alone. Hours passed and the time for the
grand assault grew near. 1t was then that the
study of Grant and Thomas, both of whom /
had closely regarded for hours, became deeply
interesting. Grant was still lame from re-
cent fall, and his limping gait grew less az the
interest of the battle deepened. One thing in
particular / observed the muscles of the lower
jaw grew rigid as the jaw worked as from IN
usual emotion. This was all the more percepti-
bic from the fact that naturally Grants lower
jaw was prominent, indicative of will power
and energy of character. The muscles connect
ing his lower face with his neck, extending to
the back Of bis head, moved perceptibly, and
became almost rigid mass. There could be
no doubling that Grant was greatly wrought
up in his mind
The moment when the fortunes Of the day
would be decided was at hand. Thomas tow
cred, or seemed to, as he beat his gaze over the
field and his ear alert to catch the sound of
Rockers guns toward Rossvills. For some
moments these two men stood close together,
watching, listening, as best they could amid
the din for the sound of Rockers guns. As
they then stood they were the study for an ar
fist, the equal of which ne might not have n
lifetime.
The incident of the six-gun signal from the
Knob has gone into history, but not to be fully
appreciated. 1t was the preconcertsd signal
for the Union forces, who had been resting,
concealed by the underground along tho base
of the Ridge, TO rise and move on the rebel
force at the foot of the Ridge protected by rife
pits. At the signal the first column moved
out as If by machinery. followed by The second
third, and fourth column, In all not less than
10000 men. The rife pits were carried with
out even moments halt. The rebels, such az
were not killed or captured, retrested precipi-
lately. 1t was evident there was to be no re-
sistance there-the movement was a surprise.
This advance, as it was executed, was not &C
cording to the plan. When the rifle pits were
carried, the men were to halt for further Or
ders. There was no halt. Our forces kept
going and soon the four columns were advsnc-
ing toward the Ridge. Grant and Thomas be-
held this movement of grand impulse, yet con
trary to the plan Of battle, with the greatest
interest, If not with concern. Thomas turn
ing to Grant, only said: General the boys
do not halt; they going for the Ridgei"
Without an instant's hesitation Grants reply
was: Let them COL"
From that instant the scene WAS one Of un-
usual interest. 1t was great sight. No other
scene of the war was grander. The rebels had
now become fully aware that an assault all
along the crest of the ridge, while Sherman,
with measured energy pounded away on the
left, whittier the bulk of Braggs forces had
been withdrawn, was the plan. In front of the
Knob were Bragg's headquarters From that
point and all along the crest, the rebel batter
les Numbered with terrific energy. From
Fort Hood and other positions on our side, the
replies were not less terrific. All along the
face of the Ridge our men were climbing up as
best they could. The color-bearers were
suspicious objects. They waved their flags,
whose language was Enthusiastically: Come up
boys; come up!" And up they toiled, the
ascent being toe steep to do otherwise than
go III u Zig ZdR DlaUUeT. M6u were Sceu u5lHK
their guns to push themselves up. The firing
of the rebels was mainly Ineffective. Owing
to the steep descent their shots, a rule were
over the heads, shrieking harmlessly beyond
our men. The audacity of the assault over
whelmed Bragg, whose forces early prepared to
get off The rebel General himself set the ex-
ample.
On Orchard Knob this could only be conjeo-
tured. The sentiment Of more Of those who
watched our men they assembled was that
they would come down great deal faster than
they went up. But not so! Sheridan's men
gained the crest of the Ridge, and instead of be-
ing repused and sent over the steep, his men
were seen turning the battery which Bragg left
behind, on his retreating forces. This dispelled
the anxiety of Grant and Thomas. One ex-
preston fell from the lips of both: "Bragg's
forces have fed!"
Mount" was the order, and away we rode, |
ascending the Ridge the best We could. It was
then that it was perceived how stupeudous |
had been the undertaking to storm Missionary |
Ridge, defended as 1t was by greatly -supe- |
rior force!
When we gained the Ridge the fight was
over, and Bragg's forces were retreating in a
perfect rout. 1t was then that again scrutin- |
lied Grant and Thomas They were still |
serious and silent, only as they gave nsedful |
orders. A very great battle had been won.
a. - a.