Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1904-12-02

knows, withdrew to Chattanooga, while
the confederate army closed up around it
on three sides. But only the old soldiers
know the incidents of our withdrawal
to Chattanooga. l left Gen. Thomas late
in the afternoon of September 20 to
carry message to the medical officer in
charge of Chattanooga, and to Gen.
Rosecrans, if could find him. l rode
from the turmoil of battle across Mis-
sionary Ridge into the quiet of the plain
between the ridge and Chattanooga. 1t
was so quiet there and so noisy beyond
the ridge that could hardly believe my
ears. AS l rode toward the town met
no one, and no guard or outpost chal-
lenged me. AS logged along l came
upon strange group, posing, it seemed
to me, for picture.
There were probably a dozen men
On horseback, and all except one were
quiet as statues, the low sun in the west
lighted them up in way to make them
look like figures in tableau. One of
he figures was pointing here and
:here, and this man was Rosecrans. AS
ng out positions for the divisions of his
army. In few minutes the group
moved to another point and the mark
Ing out process was repeated. Then |
rode on to Chattanooga and across the
river to find my man ana came upon an
other surprise. Here were parked long
wagon trains with hundreds of horses
m fna Niro
concernedly about like men at home do
ing their evening chores. And yet not
ten miles away two armies were fight
ing one of the fiercest battles of the civil
war to a standstill.
North of the river there was no con-
fusion or disorder. The scene was quite
pastoral, and nobody seemed under a
strain or greatly concerned about the
battle, except chaplain holding serv-
ices in forest glade, who prayed that
the God of Battles might give victory to
our arms. Even the chaplain didn't
seem to understand that crisis was at
hand. Perplexed and indignant, | rode
back toward the front and met our di-
vision going quietly into position in
Il
had seen in town and beyond, but they
didn't believe me except as to Rosecrans,
and they didn't believe he meant to
give up Missionary Ridge. They knew
better the next day when the army re-
tired from Missionary Ridge and our d.
vision began to build Fort Palmer Just
where Rosecrans sat on his horse when
7 fire h
ed the confederates to occupy the ridge
at once and charge down on our lines
and we worked with feverish haste
After a day or two, when the fortifca-
tions began to assume shape, We knew
the rebels wouldn't charge, and we be-
gan to feel at home.
wv agreed, in the talk about the
camp fires, that Rosecrans might be
right about giving up Missionary
Ridge, but we bet all our money that
he wouldn't give up LoG.sout noun
tain, only few miles to the west
Imagine our surprise when one after
noon the confederates opened on lis
from batteries well up on our slope
OF Lookout. This put heavy load on
a good many hearts, because, with the
confederates on Lookout, we were cut
off from the road down the river tc
Bridgeport, But as shot after shot
was fired, and not shell or cannon
ball came near us, we felt better. The
bombardment was a spectacular af
fair. and de didn't care for 1t as We
did for the sharpshooters on our from
| pushing the confederate picket line
under our noses. At last we were per
mitted to give these sharpshooters SO