The National tribune., 1901-02-07
VISIT TO LOOKOUT.

| Camp near Rossvillc, Ca, April B.
1S64.-With others, l made a long-intend,
ed trip to the top of Lookout Mountain
today. Our party was Capt. Jewett
all well mounted on good horses. Leav'
ing camp at 9 o'clock with dinners in ha
versacks, we took the road through Ross
vile Gap, and we passed the place where
n portion of our regiment MAS stationed
during the battle Of Chickamauga. The
regiment was ordered back at midnight
and IL pickets not being Informed of il
were captured.
We passed the house. where l last saw
Adjt. Miner and Capt. Jrquhart and 9th
ers Of our wounded from the battle. Ross
vile on that day was crowded and damned
with wounded and the disorganized force
of defeated army; today all was peace
full and quiet. We wcnded or way across
Lookout Valley to the mountain, about
three miles distant. The country showed
an absence of fences; fields were clotted
with stone chimncys, and the numerous
tracts of half-burned timber all indicated
the great forces that have soldiered
| through these parts. Many nice farms are
| in the valley, but only few are now oc.
| cupied.
Reaching the foot of the mountain we
were more than ever inspired with its
huge proportions. Lookout Mountain
proper runs northeast and southwest, and
ends at q point that juts out over the
Tennessee River, overlooking Chatta-
nOoga.
We commence the ascent by road
leading along the side of the mountain
about two miles long, and winding our way
up, the country below unfOlds itself like
a man. All about on the mountain side
are huge rocks of sandstone, from the size
of cOttOn-bales to large houses, all of
which have in times gone by detached
themselves from the cliffs and rolled down.
At noon we reached the summit, sat
down to eat dinner and view the scenery.
The sight below our location was similar
to that from Il balloon, the edge of the
rock, hiding from our view everything i'm
mediately below. The Tennessee River.
with its numerous islands and bends, is WISH
Bile for 90 miles. Missionary Ridge from
here looks rather insignificant, as do the
lines of ridges that parallel it beyond. The
eastern horizon was bounded by the Smoky
Range Of Mountains, the tops of which
were white with snow. The country in
other directions looked a vast mountain
wilderness. With glass we could dis
cover farms and the haunts of civiliza-
ton, and it eXcites ones curiosity to know
how they live in their apparent mountain
businesses. The top of the mountain is
about q half-mile wide, level in some
places and rough in others, with plenty of
good springs of water around.
On the top and about mile from the
point is the romantic village of Summer
town, which consists of coy white cot
tages, some tasty residences, a hotel, etc,
and was once the resort Of ricL people,
where they spent the hot weather above
the warm climate of the valley below.
We went on to the point where the
rebel guns were stationed that used to
cause us so much annoyance over on Moe
casin Bend, and we found many soldiers,
like ourselves. coming up TO take a look at
things and have their pictures taken ION
the rock" Iai'@f
April o, 1S64.-Nothing OF interest has
TRANSFERRED of late. Troops and veterans
are coming in rapidly, and the army is
daily growing in strength and we have
nothing particular to do but to consume
rations and give the requisite attention to
ordinary duties. t- ~
April q, 1S64.-Times are dull. weather
not, and We are anXiOusly waiting for the
expected opening of the great campaign
Georgia, where it is understood we are
to go.
The army is fast getting ready for
work; few more veteran regiments are
10 come in, a larger supply of mules for
the wagon trains obtained, and we will
he off for Atlanta about the time the
Army Of the Potomac goes il in Vir-
ginia. 20
The rebs have big army ahead of us,
and they will give us n desperate fight for
III the territory we gain. Gems. Grant and
Sherman will likely do some big things be-
fore the 18th of July, and if we do not
meet with any great misfortune will likely
have something interesting to tell you by
that time. We have orders to cut down
III baggage to one wagon for q regiment,
and when we break camp will be without
tents or any such accommodations, and
will do our soldering in genuine veteran
fashion from now on.
CThe. end