The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-16

the same way. They therefore turned loose corresponding number of Fed era priso9ers. and declared theirs ex- eral Government disregarding this action VI the Confederates, and that any or tneir so ueciaied exchanged prisoners wno might fall into Federal hands would De treated as soldiers violating their pa- roles. This alarmed many of those thus declared exchanged, and it was difficult to saS them together for reorganization. st also caused good many to desert, fearing the result of falling into the hands of the enemy.
 :. Tn Novemoer, the main body of the brigade had been assembled at Denopo- lis, under General Pettus. who command with ability. bravery and success He spared no personal effort for the well- being of nts msn, and they were willing to follow and obey hi mimplicitly.
 Before completing tue req. ganization. the brigade was ordered to Chattanooga to assist in the great battle soon to De fought. but such was the impArft CT Transportation II that :hs great hattie oi Cnickamauga was tougat add the victory won before We reached the scene of &C., tidn. But like others Of our great vic- tories, tne rspe fruar was not gathered and the Confederates were lowering around Ci attanooga while the enemy We're press- ing forward men and stores in sutncient numbers to drive us away, and take the place into final possession.
 The 10th took prominent part in the celebrated Battle of the Clouds" On ls6S, 1t was bivouaeked on the top of Lookout Mountain. Walthalls brigade, which had relieved Pettus's a short time before in guarding the line along Snake Creek. at the foot of the mountain, was surprised and driven from his position by Hookers corps. which had gained its advantage under cover of dense fog. The enemy were rapidly moving toward the only road leading down the noun tain side. and driving Walthalfs scat tered men before them. To possess this road was to get the key to the situation. It woul1 cut off the Confederates on top of the mountain from those in the val ley and on Missionary Ridge, and great ly facilitate any movements against our investing forces. An order for haste came to General Pettus. who speedily assembled his commend. completing its order on the march down the mountain side. As soon as the precipitous part had been passed. and the slope would permit, the brigade was duployed in a thin line of battle. and marched rapidly was it any too qpick for 1t had not got ten far from this one important road when 1t ran into the advance of the foe. A dense cloud envelopea this part of the mountain. so that nothine could be vorable for the Confeder ates, for 1t kept secret tho weaknes of their lne The dash with which the brigade struck the enemy deceived him as to the Coated crate strength, by its heightened front. The advance was at once checked, and soon the enemy had been driven back ward. Nasty breastwerks were soon thrown up out of the quantity of loose stones around. and there the brigade dark day. It's line was played upon by
 batteries of the enemy from arourL Chattanooga. the fire being directed by the report or it's arms. When night came Holtzclaws brigade was sent to relieve Pettus'. but the relieving brigade was only large enough to cover the space of four of Pettus' regiments. so the 46th. being on the right. and the extreme of our line in that direction, 1t could not be relieved with the rest of the brigade, but had to continue with Holtzclaw's until all left, at l a. m.. on the morning of the 1Ith. On this morning the forces and formed on Missionary Ridge. along It's crest In crossing the valley we found the clouds which had enveloped us on the mountain had been giving the valley a November rain.
 The place of the 46th on Missionary Ridge was near the centre of the line. 1t was deployed on the 17th as skirmish- CTS. Such was the strength of it's posi- men, that throughout the day it was not driven back on the main line, nor did their advanced position interfere with the play of our batteries, or the firing of small arms from the main line. for we were far below, on the steep side of the ridge. Along the right and centre there was no trouble in ke- ping back tho con-
 stantly advancing lines of the enemy. Near night the body of the regiment was ordered to the crest. leaving only a picket line below. It was soon revealed bv minnie balls coming in line with the ridge. that to the left the enemy were on it's heights. Il is said the blunder oc- cured to the left of forming line at the base of the Ridge. with instructions to hold till the enemy were near then pour In heavy fire and fall back to the crest and reform line. If true, 1t was a miserable military blunder.
 There was nothing to do but fall back. We reached Chickamauga Station about
 midnight. Here We dropped down upon the ground to catch little sleep, still II, in hne; That sleep was needed by the without any sleep, the night before nor till midnight on this. While we were resting. our noble General and his com missary were looking up something for us to eat. and about light they had ra- tions to fill our haversacks, and sustain us on our march to Dalton. It was not so with all commands. for we saw many
 poor fellows without anything in the way of food.
 Winter quarters were entered at pal- ton. and We were reasonably comfortable that hard winter in our pole huts that had been constructed. Here we drilled and recruited. When the campaign open
 ed in the spring of 1864, the 46th had 564 men for duty. as large a number as at any time of its campaigning.
 The memorable campaign of 1864 was entered upon with reviews sham battles.
 md other exercises. conducted under the direction of that great General of the
 Confederacy, Joseph E. Johnston then in command of the Army of the Ten nessee." The morale of the troops was all that could be expected. The first bat tie was at Crowe's Valley above Dalton. and followed quickly by that of Rocky
 Face Ridge. in both of which the enemy were worsted. The 46th shared in these,
 as It did in the numerous engagements had as the army slowly fell back to Atlanta. The army fell back to Resaca and for two days there was heavy fight ing while our wagon trains and artillery were crossing the Oostanaula The enc my were badly hurt as thev attempted | from time 10 time to overrun us. When | tfe rive" h"d been crossed the retreat | was continued to the vicinity of Cass- | vile. Here the line of battle was formed | on well chosen ground. the battle order l issued. and skirmi shng and artillery | duelling indulged in. To our surprise,
 late at night. our lines were abandoned.