The National tribune., 1901-11-28
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A Soldiers Diary sf the Civil War.
By LYMAN S. wIDNEY, s4th Ill
1901, by TnE NAEIoEAI TnIBurn

Copyrighted. 1901, by J
All was quiet along eur lines when va
awake at break OF day Nov. %, but the
srackiing Of Inusketry amid the hills thai
Md SheFmanis men from our sight sooI
after drew our attention to the extreme
left Of our line as the next probable scene
Of action Lookout Mountain was hall
hidden by q gray mist, but the silence
there denoted the absence Of the enemy
which became a certainty when the clouo
lifted shortly after 8 &. m, and disclosed
the Stars and Stripes proudly hoatlne
from the rocky pinnacle. Our cheers
greeted the first gifmmer Of our nag when
the sun kissed its fokds.
Meanwhile the firing IN the bills near
the river above Chattanooga grew heavier
as the artillery Joined in with deep base
echo; yet the troops within our view re-
manned inactive.
About 10 a. N. we saw long, blue
line winding its way up the river and
disappearing in the hills. 1t YVES por-
tion of Howard's Corps dispatched to
help Sherman. About noon there was an
echo from Hooker's guns beyond Lookout
Mountain, whittier he had followed the
enemy retreating from the stronghold to-
ward Bragg main line OF Mission Ridge.
We who were idle spectators on Moe
casin Point watched the blue smoke cu7i-
Ing above the hills and listened intenty
TO the noise OF battle vainly trying to de-
termine whether our lines were advanc-
Ing or receding, until the lengthening
shadows OF the afternoon warned US OF
the near approach of darkness and awoke
our fears that the close of the day 50
near at hand might find us still crouch
ing almost helpless at the foot OF
naughty foe.
Grants Headquarters, on Orchard
Knob near the center OF our line, was
plainly visible, and unconseiously We
turned our eyes toward Ii with an ex-
preston of helpless entreaty that he
should make a new demonstration of his
military genius ere the day had gone. We
believed that he would set other columns
in motion, but had no expectation OF wit
Messing q direct charge upon Mission
Ridge, furrowed as we could see with the
network of bresstworks and brlstling as
we knew with concealed batteries. Yet
such a spectacle was being prepared for
Us.
CAPTURE OF MISSION RIDGE.
Between 3 and 4 o'clock there was
discharge Of artillery from Orchard Knob,
and the men of Thomas rose before our
eyes and rushed straight toward the ridge,
which soon became wreathed in smoke
from base TO summit, emitted from zig
gag lines OF rifie-pits and more than 90
cannon held, until this moment, in con-
esalment, but now all directed against our
assaulting lines. Our heavy guns in four
large feTts and lighter batteries in as
many smaller forts responded by hurting
shells over the heads of our men and dis
tributing them alternately between the
enemy's infantry line and artillery sta
tons.
A fringe Of timber at the base Of the
lr,l
with breathless anxiety to see whether
they would emerge from the upper edge
In advancing or from the lower edge in
retreat.
We had not long to wait until we saw
q scattered line Of gray climbing the
ridge followed by line Of blue-not COM
Fact, but in irregular groups, lodging
from enc obstruction to another, but al
ways forward. Oar flags, too, came into
view, huttering along the line like birds
breasting furious storm. Now and then
one would be hidden in the glare and
smoke Of a bursting shell, and for mo-
ments our hearts almost ceased 10 beat
while we waited for it to reappear.
1t seemed scarcely possible that the as
sault could succeed. Our lines appeared
70 be disoTganized, or rather transformed
into a score or more skirmish lines, gath
ering a moment into larger or smaller
bodies here and there, and as quickly dis
solving into crouching, crawling indiyid-
uals, each selecting his own way fivm
cover to cover, as was afforded by the
rough, rocky irregularities Of the noun
tain side.
We could see well ahead Of the heavier
patches Of blue a fringe Of blue specks,
scarcely pereepti5le, which we knew was
composed OF those fearless heroes in plain
blouses, who dash forward TO new points
Of vantage with the inspiring cry Of
"Come on, boys" and there walt only
long enough for their more cautious COM
rsdes and their officers to follow, ere they
repeat the example which brave men can
rot fail 10 initiate. These were the Gen
Srals who, orders, or no ORDERS were lead
ing the way up the m0Hntainside over
bresstworks and batteries TO the very
crest where We saw our flags planted just
In time to receive q parting kiss from
the sun ere he withdrew his rays from
I bloody but glorious battlefield.
AS our men neared the summit Of the
ridge we who watched the battle from
Goccasin Point, realizing that the crisis
was at hand, scarcely dared to breathe,
much less TO speak, but when the roar Of
guns suddenly gave place to triumphant
cheers, the first one Of our group TO speak
was the Quartermaster. There" he
aaid, "Grant has Il feather IL his hat
as big as that pine tree" And we all
looked up into the lofty pine above our
heads and cried ''Hurrah for Grant"
In the midst Of our Fejoicings an order
came at o'clock p. N. for our regiment
TO rejoin the brigade, which had been
dispatched two days previous to help
Sherman.
We started at once with two days "a
tions, 100 rounds Of ammunition, and q
blanket 70 each man. Our tents and all
other baggage remained in charge of the
QUsrtermaster and men .unable TO march.
At 10 p. N. we joined our brigade at the
pontoon bridge crossing the Tennessee
River near the mouth OF Chickamauga
Greek and there bivouacked, spreading
our blankets on the bare ground for four
hours sleep ere we arose with our bri-
gade and division, under command of Gen.
Sherman, to hurry away in pursuit of
the enemy.
PURSUIT OF BRAGG.
At a. m. Nov. 26 we were called up
and marched as rapidly as possible in the
darkness along the right bank Of the
Chickamauga 20 a railroad station of the
same name, which we found In flames.
The military supplies with which It was
hlled were destroyed, but we secured n
large quantity of other stores-two siege
guns, 10 pontoOns and 20 wagons-which
the enemy did not have time TO destroy.
We continued our pursuit, and overlook
the rebel rear guard at Pigeon River,
where a stand was made and Aorgan's
Brigade at once became engaged but
shortly cleared the way for our further
progress along a road Uttered with broken
wagons and abandoned caissons, showing