Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-05

tered CHATTANOOGA ne SHOuiu nave COH-
centrated his army there long enough to
accumulate supplies. ascertain the po-
stion and intentions of his adversary
and whether or not Burnside would re-
inforce him. He was now i3I miles from
the Ohio river 80 from Nashville. and
his prudence, not his impetuosty, should
have increased. Halleck, himself de-
ceived. misled Rosecrans, who judged
that his present work was to pursue an
alarmed adversary and accordingly. on
the 10th Of September. ordered Critten-
den's corps TO seek the enemy in the dl-
rection of Ringgod, Ga, to the south
east of Chattanooga-thu still farther
separating his army.
Gen Woods DIVISION to which / be-
longed, happened to be the rear of Crit
tenden's column, and in the evening a
simple negro informed Wood of the po-
sition of BraggS army. Instead of an
alarmed retreat, the enemys movement
had been leisurely march of thirty
miles south to Lafayette Ga. The diver
gent movements which had placed Thomas
near to and west of Lafayette. Mctook
sixteen miles farther south. and were now
placing Crittenden farther north than Nc
Cook was south of the Confederate army
made il convenient for Bragg to over
whelm in succession our separated corps
before any two of them could be united
Wood hurried the momentouS informa-
ton to Rosecrans at Chattanooga: and,
notwithstanding the incredulity with which
it was received. Harker's brigade OF
Moods division was ordered to counter
march at daybreak to the Lafayette road
and TO make a reconnaissance in the dl-
rection indicated 10y the negro Soon
meeting an opposing force that was feel
ing its way toward Chattanooga. Harker
slowly forced il back across the Chcka-
mausa river. at Lee and Gordons mills
only eighteen miles from Lafayette.
Mi
mills Thomas to Lafayette, and McCook
to Summerville twenty-five miles south
Of Lafayette: for Rosecrans did not yet
believe that the enemy's entire army was
there, preparing TO assume the offensive.
Most happily. Bragg, although correctly
informed of the isolation of our corps.
took no decisive advantage of our help
lessness.
McCook found that the enemy's cav
AIRY, when driven, always retreated in
the direction of Lafayette; and in adj
Iancing toward that place Thomas met
a resistance that convinced him that he
was in the presence of the Confederate
army, while Crit ndens reconnaissance
south from the mills sustained the opn-
ion of Thomas.
ON the 18th Rosecrans became at last
convinced that the enemy had faced
about at Lafayette, and orders We're is
sued to attack him at that place. BY
the 18th he learned that the enemy was
receiving heavy achievements. DR.. Hale.
chief of scouts for Gen. Thomas, found
large numbers of prisoners whom Grant
had paroled at Nicksburg. They spoke
freely of the fact that they had been or
dered on duty, although not yet exchang
ed, and all We're confident that the con-
centraton then going on would result IN
our humiliation. Stunned by the dis
asters to their cause at Gettysburg and
V;cksburg, the Confederate chiefs were
secretly hurrying renforcements to
Bragg. hoping to neutraliZe the effects OF
those disasters by overwhelming Rose
Grams. These well planned movements
We're not, until too late even suspected
by Halleck. who sent us the report that
Bragg was reinforcing Lee.
i X
Deciding not to fall back to Chatta-
slowly concentrated his corps on the
north bank of the Chickamauga river,
at Lee and Gordon's mills, twelve miles
south of Chattanooga. Bragg decided to
move down the valley up which he had
retired because, first, of all the routes
open to him that one was least obstruct-
ed; and, secondly, because it would con-
tinue his army near the railway of his
supplies, which was also bringing him
Longstreet. Rosecrans did not get his
corps united and well in position before
the enemy. on the 10Th, began the battle
of Chickamauga.
The country in which the next two
days operations took place lies between
was covered by woods of varying dem
sity. broken here and there by cleared
fields The Chickamauga river, wind
ing slowly through the forest of the re-