The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-01-30


Federal line moving steadily onward and
upward.
The sight was grand beyond descip-
tion-a battle in the clouds and VIC
tory for the Union forces. How we'll L
remember how my heart swelled with
pride as ] looked upon the regimental
flags as they moved up the side Of that
mountain on that day. What an ap-
propriate flag it is to wave over the peo-
Die of Christian Nation. See the colors,
RED, WHITE AND BLUE.
Red. the blood of a divine Redeemer /;
white, the purity of His life, and blue,
the heavens to which He has assembled
to make intercession for us.
On the following day the army with
yell and shout scaled the side of Mission
Ridge, driving the rebels in great con-
fusion from the strong position they had
held for months. No longer the rebel
battery on the top of Lookout obstructed
the free navigation of the river.
The days work was complete. Every
stain of partial defeat at Chickamauga
had been wiped away from our shredded
and riven banners, and the handicapped
brows of Lookout and Mission Ridge
had been crested with halo Of triumph.
This was one Of the prettiest battles l
ever saw.
In the absence, TO great extent, Of
timber, the movement Of the entire army
as it ascended the Ridge could be seen.
There stands to-day upon the ground
fought over by Sherman on our left
village containing population of 5000
souls Other
WASTE PLACES
have been built up, and Chattanooga is
to-day fourishing city. From the
summit of Lookout one can see evidences
of thrift in all directions. Surely, peace
is better than war.
While our army was besieged in Chat
tanooga, JEFF Davis, in company with a
number of his lady friends, visited the
rebel army TO see how "the Yankees
looked in a cage" They went on top Of
Lookout and had the battery fire round
after round. The guns could not be de-
pressed enough to give them a direct
fire, but the fuses were cut so that the
shells would explode over our lines and
the fragments fall among our men, crea-
ting some confusion.
When the gunner accomplished this
the female rebels would yell and wave
handkerchiefs in the
Widest GLEE.
When our army reached the top Of the
Ridge / looked back to see how Chatta-
nooga looked from that point, and the
first thing to attract my attention was
steamboat coming up the river. j knew
it was laden with supplies and forage,
and that gladdened my heart and the
heart Of every man who owned a horse
or who had hungry soldier under his
command.
At the time our rations were shortest
no complaints or murmurings were heard
from single man. All knew that
"Pap" Thomas was doing all he could
in their behalf and all trusted him.
When the line was formed On the
Ridge Thomas passed along in 'front.' and
q soldier called out to him:
General, this was good race"
"Yess" he replied; I" i have had you
in training for this race fully month"
referring to the shortness of the ration.
Was there ever assembled before such
an army as was brought into life during
our civil war? The ranks were not
filed with hirelings, but with patriotic,
intelligent men from the very best walks
of life. As age creeps over me | feel
drawn closer and closer to the survivors
God bless them all, and in their old age
may grateful Republic minister to their
wants.