The National tribune., 1895-07-25

| Chickamauga, made night attack upon
| Rockers forces. but was bloodily fepulsed,
| aud no trouble was afterward experienced at
| that point. A new provision line was thus
| opened, the distance shortened nore than
one half, with very much better roads, and
thereafter rations of increased quantity and
| better quality were issued.
Sherman. with the Army of the Tennessee,
was hurrying to us by forced marches from
| the direction of Memphis, and matters be-
| gan to look better. At no time, however,
did the Army of the Cumberland despair. 1t
was magnificent body of troops thoroughly
disciplined, full of fight, and determined to
hold It's position.
As November passed the Fall rains set in,
making military operations very difficult,
but by the Goth of that month we were about
ready to try conclusions with Bragg. The
real movement on our part began on Nov.
%. and from that date my narrative par
takes of a personal character. When shortly
after noon on the Odd day of November, 1883,
Sheridap's and Woods Divisions marched
out of their camps and set their faces toward
the insolent ridge, whose sides were lined
with RI fie-pits and whose summit was crown
ed with deadly cannon, we felt that once
more the Stars and Stripes were TO wave in
triumph. and that the hosts of rebellion were
to be routed. The two divisions presented
a splendid appearance, and it was q "goodly
sight to see" Grant was in supreme COM
mand, and the Army of the Cum berland had
for It's immediate commander our own
Pap" Thomas, the Rock of Chickamauga.
Artillery we had none, for the artillery
horses had either starved to death during
the siege or had become so weakened that
they were powerless to draw the guns, and
the Springfield rifles of the infantry were to
do the work The Eleventh Corps fresh
from the Potomac and finely equipped, had
marched through Chattanooga only the day
before, and the rebels seeing it, thought we
were to have a grand review. So when our
two divisions marched out in such splendid
form, they looked at us in interested sur
prise, and sneeringly remarked: Another
Potomac review"
The lines were quickly formed and away
we went, Sheridan on the right and Wood
on the left, sweeping everything before US.
Wood had rather the harder task, for Or
cbard Knob was in his immediate front and
it was held by the enemy in force. Forward
went the skirmishers and the crack, crack
Of their rifles gave the rebels TO understand
that while they were considerably interest
ed in our movements they were not 10 enjoy
the peaceful review they had anticipated.
II was warm work for a while, but the
rebels were quickly driven, many of them
captured, and Orchard Knob, with the
ground TO the right, left and considerably
in advance, was ours. The rebel artillery
on the nights opened as soon as the fight
was on, and Fort Wood from our side re-
sponded, but the real work was done by the
infantry and we had demonstrated that the
reverse at Chickamauga had not DESTROYED
our efficiency.
Evening approached, and having done all
and more than was expected of us, we were
now 10 await another scene of the drama
which was TO be enacted the next day on
the sides and summit of Lookout Mount
ain. Across the river, under the crest of
old Lookout, is peculiarly-shaped piece of
ground which is called Moccasin Point, or
Bend. On this was located the 10th Ind
battery, under command of Capt. Naylor,
who, with his Parrot guns, gave the rebels
on the mountain little trouble. They
could not depress their artillery sufficiently
to do him any particular harm, while he
could elevate bis guns and make it exceed |
ipgly warm for them.
The 10th battery belonged to our brigade, |
and We were proud indeed of the splendid |
work it had always done when in action, |
and especially rejoiced at the excellent rec
ord it was now making. Sheridan's and |
Woods Divisions had come to stay, and we
lost not q moment in fortifying the posi-
tions we had captured. A strong line of |
skirmishers backed by ample reserves, was
posted well to the front and the troops in the
rear at once set TO work digging rife-pits.
The work was carried on through the
night and the next morning found the two
divisions so well intrenched that their posi-
tions were regarded as absolutely safe. Soon
after dawn on the morning of the oath, while
standing to arms, we could hear brisk mus
ketry-firiDg beyond and near the point of
Lookout Mountain. This increased in vol
ume, coming nearer and nearer, until we
knew that our forces were striving TO cap
ture that stronghold and were evidently
meeting with some success The mountain
was shrouded in an impenetTable mist and |
could not be seen, but the musketry- firing
and the cheers of our troops could be plain
ly heard.
Well along toward noon the anxiety for
news became unbearable and Gen Wagner
directed me TO 20 10 Gen. Sheridan, present
his compliments, and ask for the latest in
formation. Nothing 10th, / started off on
keen gallop, reached Sheridan's Headquar-
tiers, and found him the center of an excited |
group, all gazing intently toward Lookout.
The General was looking through his field
glass, and as the mist was then temporarily
rising he evidently saw something that
pleased him.
saluting, delivered my message, and he
ut once said, Come here and will show
you" Leaving my horse in charge of an
Orderly, / dismounted and approached the
General, who handed me his glass and told
me to look.