The National tribune., 1893-04-13

command Accordingly the leading division
(Ewing's) was ordered TO march by way OF
Shellmound to Trenton, demonstrate against
Lookout Ridge but to be prepared to turn
quickly aud follow Sherman to Chattanooga.
Gen. Sherman then returned TO bridgeport,
and Immediately on arrival put in motion his
divisions in the order they had arrived.
The bridge of boats at Bridgeport was frail,
and though used day and night the passage was
slow, and the road to Chattanooga was dread
fully cut up and encountered with the wagons
of the other troops stationed along the roads.
In the afternoon of the Goth Gen. Sherman
reached Gen. Hookcr's Headquarters. four miles
from Chattanooga, and met Gen. Grants orders
for the attack of the next day. 1T was impos-
sible however for Gen. Sherman to I'll his part
in time only one division tGen. John Il.
Smith's) being in position; Gen. Ewing was
still ut Trenton, and the two other divisions OF
the Fifteenth Corps were toiling along the ter
rble road from Shellmound TO Chattanooga.
On a representation of the situation Gen. Grant
postponed the attack. On the 2lst the Second
Division effected crossing of the Browns
Ferry bridge and Gen. Ewing got up, but the
bridge broke repeatedly and delays occurred
which it was absolutely impossible to prevent.
CHATTANooGA-RINGG
All labored night and day. and Gen. Ewing
got over on the 23d, but tho rear division
(Osterhaus's First nivsion) was cut off by the
broken bridge at Browns Ferry. Gen. Sher-
man offered. however, 10 go into action with
three divisions, supported by Brig. Gen. JEFF {.
Davis. leaving the First Division TO act with
Gen. Hooker against Lookout Mountain.
On Nov % the Second and Fourth Divisions
of the Fifteenth Corps, with Gen. John h.
Smiths Division, OF the Seventeenth Corps, lay
behind the hills opposite the mouth of Chicka-
mauga Gen. Giles a. Smiths Brigade of the
Second Division, was dispatched up, under
e H. tl- ial-o Inn IN
man the boats designed for the pontoon bridge,
with orders at midnight to drop down silently
to a point above the mouth OF South Chicka-
mauga, then land two regiments, which were
to move along the river quietly and capture
the enemy's river pickets; Gen. Giles A. Smith
then to drop rapidly below the mouth OF
Chickamauga, disembark the rest of his bri.
gade and dispatch the boats across for fresh
loads. These orders were skilifully executed.
aud every picket but one captured
The balance of the Second Division was then
ranidly ferried across, that of Gen. john T..
Smith followed, and by daylight Of Nov. "a
two divisions of about 5000 men were on the
east bank of the Tennessee, and had thrown up
a very respectable riGetrcnch. pontoon
bridge was now constructed, and by II m the
two remaining divisions Of the corps and
that of Brig Gen. JEFF c. Davis were across the
river. The columns were now formed. and at
] D. IN. the movement to take Missionary Ridge
began. The march was in three columns en-
echelon, tho left, Gen. Morgan l.. Smith, the
column of direction; the center, Gen. John Il.
Smith, in column doubled on the center at one
brigade intervals to the right and rear; the
right, Gen. Ewing in column o! the same dis.
tance to the right rear. prepared to deploy to
tho right on the supposition that the enemy
might bc met in that direction. Tho foothills
were soon gained, and the skirmishers crept up
the face OF the hill aud the desired point Was
reached about $50 p. m., after some sharp fight.
ing, and Gen. Sherman rested near the tunnel,
and during the night, aided by the Pioneer
Corps, intrenched his front
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.
While Shermau's troops were crossing the
Tennessee above Chattanooga, Hooker was
fighting on Lookout Mountain. Among his
troops was Osterhaus's Division, of the Fif-
teeuth Corps. This division had taken posi-
tion on the left of the lines opposite the west
ern slope of Lookout Mountain on and behind
the hills and ridges which were separated from
the mountain by Lookout Creek. On reaching
the ground Gen. Osterhaus found one Ma
pOleon battery, of the Twelfth Corps, on the
hill on the extreme left in full view and easy
range of the enemys pickets which were strung
along and behind the railroad embankment on
the eastern side of the creek. Another 3-inch
Rodmam battery was in position on the crest of
a ridge Immediately In rear of the above hill.
The 4th Iowa and the 18th III. were detailed to
support the Napoleon battery, and the 25th
Iowa to sEppOrt the Rodman battery. The
First Brigade protected the Pioneers engaged
in constructing bridge across Lookout Creek,
while a section of the lst Iowa battery was
placed on an emincnce commanding the point
selected for the bridge.
The remainder of the Second Brigade and
artillery were kept in reserve ready 10 support
the attack abont 10 be made on the enemy S
position, and to push on the pursuit whenever
the enemy became started.
Shortly after 10 a. all preparations for the
attack had been completed, the bridge built,
etc, and the appearance of Geary's Division. OF
the Twelfth Corps. which was TO come from the
right attacking the enemy's left flank, was
awaited.
At ii a. m. Geary's fire was heard. and the
First Division of the Fifteenth Corps inime-
dately opened fire with great effect. and the
enemy were soon compelled to yield their line
behind the railroad and their intrenchments on
the opposite bank of the creek. They attempted
TO secure less exposed position higher up the
mountain. but the infantry column of Woods's
(First) Brigade, which had crossed the creek,
pressed the enemy vigorously, while the re-
manning portion of the Second Brigade as
cended the mountain TO reach the right oi
Woods's Brigade. and press the retreatins
enemy toward him. This manuver resulted in
! the capture Of so large a number Of prisoners
! that it was deemed prudent to detail the 9Th
/ Iowa to bring them 10 the rear across Lookout
Creek.
Gen. Osterhaus then pressed forward, reach.
! ing the so-called White House (about two thirds
Up the mountain) at critical moment. On
reaching there he learned that Gen. Geary'a
troops were out of ammunition, and that the
/ latter anticipated an attack from the enemy.
! A portion OF the First Brigade, which had just
come up was sent to relieve Gcary's men, and
! had no sooner done so when the enemy charged
/ desperately and attempted TO regain the in
trcnchments they had thrown up all around
the White House. They were signaly re-
/ pulsed however and the Union forces held thi!
important position during the night.
During these occurrences on the right Of Gen
Osterhauss line Woods's Brigade deployed OF
the slope, covering the ground between thu
White House aud the Chattanooga road.
The enemy during the forepart of The nigh
made several attempts to dislCdgo the Unior
troops, but were successive!y repulsed. and
| after midnight he commenced his retreat TO
ward Missionary Ridge under cover Of dens'
| fog.
MISSIONARY RIDGE
About midnight of the oath Gen. Sherna,
/ received orders from Gen. Grant to attack a
dawn of day" and as sOoH as possible the fol
lowing dispositions were made:
The br.gades of Coils Cockcrll and Alex
ander and Gen. Lightburn were TO hold thu
hill as the key-noint. Gen. Core, with a
much or his brigade az could operate along tht
narrow ridge. WAS TO attack the right center
/ fvtf fflfapt ~. q t.l, inn ntt