The National tribune., 1895-07-25

Our appearance was great surprise and
taken in connection with the movements of
the main army created no little consterna-
ton in the rebel camp. We remained in
front Of Chattanooga several days, exchang-
ing compliments in the shape of cannon and
musketry firing, when Gen. Bragg the rebel
commander being satisfied that he could
not hold the city, evacuated it by night, and
fell back into north Georgia.
Gen. Rosecrans, the commander of the
Union forces, having crossed the Tennessee
River below Chattanooga with his army,
promptly followed him up, and as our bri-
gade was the first to enter Chattanooga we
were left there as a garrison. For this |
should be somewhat thankful, as thereby we
missed the bloody and disastrous battle of
Chickamauga, which took place about 10 days
later.
Historians concur in the opinion that Gen.
Rosecrans made mistake in leaving Chat
tanooga, but situated as the various divis-
ions of bis army were it was really neces-
sity that he should make forward move
ment for the purpose of consolidating bis
troops. Ii is conceded that Gen. Bragg fell
back from Chattanooga not alone because Of
his inability to hold the place, but with the
view of drawing Rosecrans out into the open
country, where he might fall upon his de-
tached divisions and beat them in detail.
IT is not my purpose to enter into an account
of the Chickamauga battle, but / will
briefly say that after two days of most
sanguinary fighting the Union army fell
back upon Chattanooga, and there pro-
ceeded to fortify it's position.
Bragg promptly followed Rosecrans, and
invested Chattanooga on three sides; not
only this, but by his occupancy of Lookout
Il, 4
same, he forced the Union General to draw
his supplies over the mountains, distance
of 60 miles, by wagon-irain. This simply
meant that, if continued long enough, the
Union army would be starved out of Chat
tanooga, and either forced to retreat or to
surrender. The whole Nation was aroused
into a contemplation or the perilous condi-
tlon OF the Army of the Cumberland. and
extraordinary exertions were put forth to
relieve the situation.
Gen. ROsecrans, while most gallant
and capable officer, was FESTIVE under the
restraint imposed upon him by his superiors,
and having failed at Chickamauga il was
apparent that his sun had setn Grant
was ordered 20 assume command. and made
ii a condition Of his acceptance that Rose
Grams be relieved and Gen. Geo. III. Thomas
placed IN charge Of the Army of the Cum
berland Grant upon assuming command
telegraphed Thomas TO hold Chattanooga at
gu hazards, and received the terse reply:
We will hold the place till we starven
And there was great danger of starvation,
for IL was physical impossibility TO supply
40 army of 40, 600 men by wagons over the
mountain roads go miles in length. and
these roads OF the worst possible description
The men were living on less than half
ratlons, horses and mules were dying OF
actual starvation by hundreds, and il was a
question indeed how much longer we could
hold out i have seen men wandering about
picking up grains Of corn dropped by horses
from their attenuated rations, crumbs OF
hard bread lost from some cracker-box. and
everything and anything that could be
called food, 10 help exc out their scanty sup
plies The beef issued 10 us was SO nearly
dead before being finally killed that the
boys in their jocular manner spoke of it as
being dried on the hOof"
The situation was most serious, but il was
greatly relieved after Grants arrival by q
movement which was in contemplation by
zen. hosecrans, and afterward carried out
by has successor, Gen Thomas. This was no
more nor less than raising the blockade OF
the road which the rebels controlled from
the Lookout Mountain side of the river. and
was successfully done at night by a force
which hoated down the river in pontoons.
surprised the rebels, and took and held the
position.
Gen. Hooker, with the Eleventh and
Twelfth Corps, fresh from the Army of the
Potomac, had arrived at Bridgeport. Ala, a
few miles below Chattanooga and advanced
his troops 10 connect with those lust men,
stoned. In doing so the rebel Gen. Long
street, who had come from Lees army to
Bragge assistance in time for the battle OF