The National tribune., 1902-02-27

purpose of organizing a new party, but
for the purpose Of giving public express
sion to the fact that a large body of citi-
zens OF Illinois who had in 1860 affiliated
with the Democratic organization were not
now in sympathy with the anti-war atti-
tude of the men who had control Of the
machine in the State, and that a great pO-
litical revolt had occurred in the Demo
cratic ranks.
1t will be seen that I was a very busy
man during my visit home. l felt that
the success of the war in the field depend
ed upon a sound public opinion at the
North. / had taken an active part in
April, 1861, in giving proper direction to
public sentiment in favor Of preserving
the Union, and l concluded that | could
serve the country effectively in the Fall
of 1863 by throwing the weight Of what
influence l possessed into the movement
to arouse majority of the people of Hi
noIs to the enthusiastic and patriotic sup
port Of President LincOln's Administration
in prosecuting the war.
THE BATTLE FOR CHATTANOOGA.
1t was during my leave of absence and
my stay in Illinois that the battle Of
Chickamauga was fought, and the Union
troops forced to take refuge in Chatta-
nGoga. Gems. Rosecrans and Burnside
had met with splendid success in Ten
nessee. Rosecrans by skillful flank
movement from MurfreesborO had forced
Bragg to retire from his front to points
beyond the Tennessee River, making
Chattanooga his base and center of opera
tioms.
Burnside had advanced upon and cap
tured Knoxville. ROsecrans now decided
to force Bragg out Of Chattanooga and
to occupy the place himself This was to
be done not by direct attack, but by
strategic movement which would make
Bragg's position in Chattanooga untena-
bic. Gen. Rosecrans decided to throw the
Army Of the Cumberland to Bragg's rear
and seize his line Of communications and
thereby force Bragg to abandon Chatta-
noOga. Considered as piece Of strategy,
this movement, planned and executed by
hia Gen. William S. ROsecrans, deserves
to take rank in history as a most brilliant
achievement III war.
1t must be understood that the objective
point of the campaign was Chattanooga.
| The object was to seize and hold that i'm
portant military position. To attempt the
capture by q direct attack was considered
too hazardous TO justify such an under
| taking.
Rosecrnns had three corps-the Four
t"cnth commanded by Maj j.-Gen. George
III. Thomas; the Twentieth, by Maj Gen.
A. Med. McCook, and the Twenty-first,
| 10y Maj Thomas L. Crittenden. The
army occupied McMinnville, Winchester
and other POINTS south and held the rail
roads, which were repaired, during The
month OF July. 1863. Brighten. 7. II.
SheridGn's Division moved forward and
occupied Stevenson and Bridgeport, Oh
the Tennessee River, and by Aug. 8 large
! quantities Cf supplies had been accumu-
lated at these points. The great move
ment OF crossing the Cumberland Noun
! t.tiug lppDn tbp TOnrniup Of An q,
Gen. Thomas liz the center. with Gen.
| McCook upon the right and Gen. Critten-
den upon the left. The routes laid out
for these three corps threw them far
apart.
The plan was for Crittenden to cross
the mountain into Sequatchce River Val
| ley, which river empties into the Tennes-
see below Chattanooga and some six miles
above Bridge pOIt; from this valley he was
to feint upon Chattanooga from the north.
making such demonstration as to create
H.e opinion with Gen. Bragg that tht
Place would be assaulted.
Gen. Crittcnden, after crossing the
'ilnuntain, dispatched four hrigades tu
make this demonstration, namely, Col
Alinty's brigade Of Cavalry, Col. Wildnr's
brigade of Mounted Infantry. and the IN
fa~try Brieades of Gems. HazeL and Wag-
| Sunrr.
Positions were taken above and beic ,y
the town. Chattanooga was bombarded
and 4, erytliins done to create the inn
preston that the Union forces were abou.
to throw a pUh;oOn bridge over the Ten.
ncssee Riyer and make Il general attack
upon the place. While Bragg's attention
was being atiracted to this feigned at
tack, Thomas and McCOoK were crossing
the Tennessee River with their CORPS At
| Caperton's Ferry. Bridgeport and Steyen-
son. Gen. McCook crossed Raccoon