The National tribune., 1902-05-22

of this wonderful campaign is a most
graphic account of the operations from the
hour he assumed command of the forces.
On the morning OF Nov. "a he took his
position on Orchard Knob. Thomas
army was Immediately under his eye. He
could hear the cannon of the Confederate
and National artillery as Hooker and Sher-
man We're attacking the enemy upon his
right and left. He had no doubt of the
result; he had every confidence that in
good time Thomas could break Bragg's
center He waited all day the oath and
until $40 p. m. of the 18th before he gave
the order of assault. The plans of Gen.
Grant had not miscarred at any point
The preparations were complete The
three great armies of the Cumberland, of
the Potomac and Of the Tennessee cooper
ated without jar. They were all led by
men of distinguished ability. and they
emulated each other in patriotism and
valor.
The following from Gen. Grants report
gives clear idea of the last day of the
| battle.
He says:
''Sherman's attack upon the enemy's
most northern and most vital point was
vigorously kept up all day The assault
ing column advanced to the very rife-pits
of the enemy, and held their position firm
| ly and without waveriny. The right of
the assaulting column being exposed to the
danger of being turned, two brigades were
sent TO its support. These advanced in the
most gallant manner over an open field on
| the mountain-side to near the works of the
enemy, and lay there partially covered
| from fire for some time. The right of
| these two brigadeS rested near the head
| of rayIne or gorge i'll the mountain side
which the enemy took advantage of. and
sent troops, covered from view. below
them and to their right rear Being I'M
eXpectedly fired into from this direction
they fell back across the open field below
them, and reformed in good order in the
edge of the timber. The column which at
tackled them was speedily driven to its in
trenchments by the assaulting column
proper.
Early on the morning of the 18th the
remainder of Towards Corps reported to
Sherman, and constituted Il part of his
forces during that days battle. the pur-
suit and subsequent advance for the relief
of Knoxville. Sherman's position not only
threatened the right flank of the enemy,
but from his occupying "A line across the
mountain and TO the railroad bridge, across
Chlckamauga Greek, his rear and stores at
Chickamauga Station.
This caused the enemy to mass heavily
against him. This movement Of his being
plainly seen from the position | occupied
WI Il'ldlb INnDIl, itdlGl DIVISION OF the
Fourteenth Corps was ordered to Sher-
man. support, but, receiving a note from
Sherman informing me that he had all the
force necessary, Baird was put in position
on ThOmass left. The appearance of
Rockers column was at this time anxious
ly looked for and mOmenrariy expected
moving north on the Ridge with his left
in Chattanooga Valley and his right east
of the Ridge. His approach was intended
as the signal StnrminO tho RiIcrn in = ba
center with strong columns, but the time
necessarily consumed in the construction
of the bridge near Chattanooga Creek de-
tanned him to hter hour than was ex-
pected.
Being satisfied from the latest informa-
ton from him that he must by this time
be on his way from RosSville, though not
yet in sight and discovering that the enc
my In his desperation TO defeat or resist
the progress of Sherman was weakening
his center on Missionary Ridge determined
me to order the advance at once Thomas
was accordingly directed TO move forward
ms troops, constituting our center Baird's
Division Fourteenth Corps, Woods and
Shef1dans Divisions Fourth Corps, and
Johnson's Division Fourteenth Corps,
with double line of skirmshers thrown
out, followed in easy supporting distance
by the whole force, and carry the rihe-pit
at the foot of Missionary Ridge. and when
carried TO reform ms lines on the rtie-pitS
with view to carrying the top of the
Ridge. These troops moved forward. drove
the enemy from the rihe-pits at the base
OF the Ridge like bees from hive. stopped
but moment until the whole were in line
and commenced the ascent of the mountain
from right to left almost simultaneously.
following closely the retreating enemy
without further orders. They encountered
fearful yolley Of grape and canister from
near 30 pieces of artillery and musketry
from still well-fied rife-pits on the sum
nit of the Ridge. Not a WAIVER. however.
was seen in all that long line of brave
men. Their progress was steadily onward
until the summit was in their possession.
In this charge the casualties were remark
ably few for the fire encountered. / can