The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-11-25
THE ANNIVERSARY OF CHATTA.
NOOGA.

Today is the anniversary of the battle of
lieutenant general of the armies of the
Union. Bragg's defeat in this battle is
styled by the Confederate historian, Gen.
eral Joseph E. Johnston, "the rout of Mis-
sionary Ridge" The Confederate losses
at Chickamauga and Chattanooga. accord
ing to Johnston, were at least 5000 men.
Braggs' army at Chickamauga was 5000
strong: superior to the forces of Rosecrans
by 10000 men. The defeat of Bragg by
Grant at Chattanooga is ascrbed by the
Confederate general, d. H. Hill, to the
fact that his victory at Chickamauga had
cost him nearly 10000 of his best troops
and the severity of the fighting had
shaken the morale of his men, SO that
they fought feebly and abandoned in panic
a position that ought to have been impreg-
nable to assault. Gen. Grant points ont
in his memoirs that Bragg lost the battle
by detaching Longstreet with 1900 of his
best troops against Burnside at Knoxville,
blind to the fact that the fate of Knox
vile would turn on the issue of the battle
at Chattanooga. If Bragg won the battle
Burnside was at his mercy, and to risk the
loss of he battle at Chattanooga in order
TO pick up an apple before the bat
tie that was sure to drop into his
lap if he won Chattanooga, was mill
itary imbecility. Cheap critics have
complained that Grant changed his plan
three times in this two days battle of
Chattanooga. This fact that he was self
possessed and versatile enough to change
his plan three times to meet the vicissi-
tudes OF the engagement proves that he
had something beside logistfcs. tactics
and strategy at his command; he had a
genius for war. the genius that the Con-
federate Gen. Gordon defined when he
said, Grant was always a very near
man."
On the 23d of November, 1863. Grant
felt of Bragg's center, and captured Or
chard Knob Bragg, alar med for his
right, threatened by Sherman. weakened
his left by one division; then on the oath
Grant had Hooker strike Bragg's weak
ened lett, and he turned it. The next
day Sherman attacked Bragg's right but
was repulsed. Then, TO relieve the press
ure on Sherman. Grant pressed Bragg's
center. The troops, $4,000 strong, took
the rifle pits at the foot of the hill with a
rush. and without orders took the ridge
Sherman, who was expected to turn
Bragg's right, failed, although he lost but
1858 men out of his three strong divisions,
while Sheridan and Wood lost 9, 1897, or 20
per cent. of their whole force. Sher.
man won no great laurels in the
battle. while Sherida ans charge and vigor-
Gus pursuit won the victory. This victory
OF Chattanooga has been called The Gettys-
burg of the West, but it was vastly more
complete and momentous victory than
that OF Gettysburg. for it assured the
possession of Chattanooga, and Grant
made victorious assault which exhibited
genius. captured forty guns and 6,2UO
prisoners and completely routed the
enemy, driving him in confusion from the
field. Meade, az Gettysburg, made no as
sau!t: Lee assaulted his lines for TWO
DAYS, and was repulsed. Meade made no
counter assault although Lee offered bat
tie all cay following the repnlse OF Pick
ett's charge. Lee was not driven from the
field. bat held his position ana reiterated
at his leisure and in good order. Reach
ing the Potomac, Lee offered Meade battle
every d ay for q week.
Nevertheless the anniversary Of the far
greater and more important victory of
Chattanoocs, like those OF nonelson, Shi-
Lob anG Yicksburg. is not celebrated with
the same enthusiasm as that of Ge,tys-
burg. because they were Western victories,
becaus, they stood for laundering battle
tactics and had generalshlp on the part of
the Confederate commanders. and there
fore excite sectional rather than Ia
tioaal interest. There was nothing in all
Gettysburg more grandly picturesque or
dramatic .han the charge OF Grants cen
ter, 81, 600 strong. under Thomas, on Mis-
sionary Ridge, and its capture. but i; was,
rs the Confederate historian, Gen. Joseph