The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-07-21

mishers deployed-aud all were advancing az
fast as the steepness of the mountain would
permit. and were soon in possession OF the
ground lust occupied by the rebels; they CIV
ing IN after a lively skirmish. Having now
driven them from this i'm port ant position, there
was no time lost in laying pontoon bridge
across the river at This point browns Ferryh
etc
We went from mile to mile and half be-
fore we reached any mountain. there was no
skirmishing whatever, and Browns Ferry Is
below Chattanooga Capt. Webster has refer
ence to different time and place.
The facts concerning the expedition BANKS
refers to are as follows aud have passed into his
tory as facts:
1.-THE Second Division. Fifteenth Corps,
reached Chattanooga Nov. q, and crossed the
swift swollen Tennessee upon fralI
pontooE bridge at Browns Ferry, and waded
three miles in mire, through steady pour
until we reached the rear of some hills on the
peninsula opposite Chattanooga where we en-
camped about noon. The next morning oar
brigade, without its camp equipage, moved i've
miles to the northward, and went into blvouac
along the North Chickamauga Creek, which we
found filed with pontoons
On Monday. the 3d. we remained in the
same position and received full instructions re-
specting an important and dangerous service for
which our the First brigade had been selected,
IN connection Will STdEh StidStss ~ NhASh
Gen. Grant hoped TO overwhelm the Confeder-
ate forces then holding Chattanooga in close
siege.
Certain officers and men of the 55tb III. and
Sth No. were instructed to carefully observe
the position of the cavalry picket posts along
the opposite shore of the Tennessee day and
night.
One hundred and sixteen pontoons con-
structed in Chattanooga had been secretly con-
veyed across the river and by woods roads to
the creek where we lay, about mile above its
junction with the river. Every boat WAS man
ned BY four men selected for their aceuant
anee with water craft. The company COM
manders received special instructions, and in
turn informed their men during the day.
All guns were loaded, but not capped and no
one was to fire. except by orders. 10 each boat
were igned % men and officers.
At about ii o'clock at night the boats re-
ceiTed their quotas, and the expedition started.
The 9Th Mo. led, followed by the 10Th.
The line Of pontoons foatcd silently down
the narrow creek until the Tennessee was
reached, and then Rugged the west shore
closely as possible. We hushed our very whis-
pers and the oars were carefully mutfied.
The impetuous river, swollen by the heavy
rains, bore US swiftly down, and the darkness
was so dense under the cloudy sky. and in the
shadows of the forest that lined the shore,
that we could hardly see the batteau next be-
fore or behind.
The rebel picket-fres on the opposite bank
glimmered through the mist. We could see
guards throwing wood upon them, and once
heard the challenge Of sentinel, but other
wise rarely was there any sound save the steady
monotone OF the rushing water.
The leading boat directed its course SO as to
run across tue stream a little below the first
picket post, and the instant il struck land the
25 men sprang ashore, quickly surrounded the
sentinel and reserve-guard and, quietly march
ing them TO the loaf, landed them on the oppo-
site side OF the riyer, and then followed the
other pontoons The second boat in like man.
ner took in the second outpost, and SO On till
ali were seized.
But one gun was fired and that by the last
sentinel captured, who, in his nervous surprise,
fired into the air; but this caused no alarm to
the enemy. The 9Th Mo. and 10th III. landed
above the mouth Of South Cbickamauga River.
The other regiment, following the lead of the
18th III. and passing down three miles from
the mouth Of the creek, crossed the river at
point which had been selected. lantern on
the west shore served as signal to the oars
man. Landing with intrenching tools pickets
were thrown out Every man worked with
viii. The ground was favorable and in an in
credibly short time quite substantial earth
works were thrown up.
The oarsmep. as fast as their boats were IN
4OdueOr BasNSBtu olrecIiy 10 TIE opposite Shor6,
where the other troops of the Fifteenth Corps
were waiting to be ferried over.
Before there was glimpse Of daylight not
only the whole division [the Second), COM
nanded by Gen. Morgan i. Smith mot Hazenl,
but that Of Gen. John Z. Smith. 5000 men in
al, were in line On the south bank
The Pioneers began constructing the bridge
as soon as the landing was effected each pom
toon brought over its portion of balks anchors,
etc. The wagons of the train, with "a extra
boats, had been brought TO the crossing, SO
that there was no delay, and as fast as the
boats used for tcrriage were needed the oarsmen
delivered them, the construction going on
simultaneously from both shores. BY sunrise
the bridge, $50 feet long was completed, and by
noon the three divisions, with their artillery,
were ia battle array.
The next day Bragg was driven from his
stronghold, which had nothing to do with open
ing the cracker line.
Gen. Hazen did not command the division
until near the 4th Of July, 1864.
And ! want to remind Capt Riebsame, in
Picket Shots Of May 5, that there were Is regi-
ments IN Gen. Hazen's Division at. the capture
OF Fort AeAllister instead of nine. The 18Th
Ill. was there III reserve with FIVE other regi-
ments and there were men in that charge from
every regiment in the divisiou.-J. B. RIDE
EoUR, CAPTAIN, Co. A, 55th Ill.
IO1U