Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-07-22
rcopyright, 1903, by G. L. KilmerI !

lects the battlefield and indirect ly wins victory. The fierce combat of Ohickamauga was set down to happen in the book of fate by a campaign of strategy which ended at Tullahoma, Tenn, July 4, 1S63
 The Confederate Army of the Tennes- see had marched northward from Chat tanoogas in midsummer, 1862, under General Braxton Bragg to invade the state of Kentucky. After two fruitless battles, at Perryville, Ky. and Mur- freesboro, Tenn, midsummer, 1863, saw it filing back to Chattanooel, fol lowed by its old enemy of Perryville and Murfreesboro, the Army of the Cumberland. The contest in the west between these two forces was a paral- Tel to that between the Array of North ern Virginia and the Army of the Poto mac in the east, continuous duel for position. Defeated and turned back homeward in his march to Kentucky, Bragg clung to central Tennessee as a base for a new attempt to cross the Ohio and to protect Chattanooga, the Richmond of the west
 It was no fault of Bragg that the spring and summer of 1868 passed without battle to a finish in central Tennessee. He was ready to fight-to fight on ground of his own choosing. Rosecrans was ready fighter, but he too, wanted to choose the battle ground. / Bragg lay behind fortified lines at Tul- lahona, and Rosecrans moved his guns and battalions around him and gave Aim no choice but to vacate the works and fight In the open or retreat for the third time within year.
 Bragg retreated to Chattanooga, where he could place rivers and noun tains between his army and the foe. The Sequatchie river, the Cumberland mountains and the Tennessee river were barriers facing Rosecrans when be broke camp on the Tullahoma line Aug. 16 to keep in touch with Bragg. Having opened the campaign with brilliant stroke of strategy, the Federal commander decided to try it a second time even at the risk of being detected in repeating himself.
 Bragg began to fortify Chattanooga against attack by building earthworks on Mission ridge, behind the city. He also sent his cavalry into the noun tain passes to head off Rosecrans and fortified the crossings of the Tennessee above and below Chattanooga. Ma ture had done much to make the roads from Tullahoma to Chattanooga i'm possible for an army with active foes Ia front. It was only necessary for Bragg to i'll up the gaps and Chatta- nooga was safe. s"The Tennessee will be taken as our line," said Bragg.
 Rosecrans waited over month for nature to do good turn for the at taoking army The corn would ripen about the middle of August and as the region was generally sterile and the mountain roads of the toughest it would be boon to the troops to find sustenance by the wayside. Bragg took it for granted that his enemy would come down upon him through the Sequatchie valley, rich and broad highway. He concentrated all his strength to defend that route, and Rosecrans encouraged the policy Of his antagonist by sending an army corps through the valley to make a feint of attack on Chattanooga from the north.
 On Aug. 20 Bragg saw the Federals filing through the passes of the Cum berland mountain toward Chattanooga and prepared to fight. Next day scouts brought word that the Federals had crossed the Tennessee river on the rear of his army and were moving south toward his line of railroad communica- tons with the interior of the Confed- eracy.
 This last bit of news was confirmed by the sound of cannon shot at Chat tanooga. General J. T. Wilder's Federal cavalry had galloped up to the bank of the Tennessee opposite the town and began tossing shells into the streets. It was fast day, and the churches were filled with worshipers. One noted pastor had just opened prayer when the first shell whistled past the win dows. He continued the invocation calmly to the end, but on opening his eyes found that he had few listeners. The troops in the place retired to the fortified hills, and for hours Chattanoo- ga was helpless under the guns of the enemy.
 Again Bragg had been outgeneraled The enemy was in his rear and Chatta. nooga in danger. This was the first time a gun had been fired at the great Confederate depot of the west. Federal armies had more than once turned their heads toward that point, but never be. fore came to a collision with its de. lenders. Chattanooga was the gate way of the rich region between the Mississippi and the Atlantic bordering upon the gulf. It was mountain locked and at glance seemed beyond con quest. Had it been wrested from the Confederates in 1862 after the fall oi DOneison and the battle of Shiloh the life of the Confederacy would have been cut short a year and Vicksbure would never have figured in the great contest.
 Chattanooga stood guard oyer tho railways which banded the whole southern tier of Confederate states to 1 gether, welding Texas, Louisiana, Mis- afocfx.xSS Ia apd Haorvia 41,.