Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-12

on the west side of the creek oneued
on the works which covered the enemy 5
right
Then followed a gallant assault BY Os-
ferhaus and Crosse. After lighting for
nearly two hours. step by step up the
steep mountain side, over and through
deep gullies and ravines, over great rocks
and FALLEN trees. the earthWorks on the
plateau We're assaulted and carried, and
the enemy was driven out and forced to
tall back. He did So slowly and reluc-
family. taking advantage of the rough
ground TO continue the light. 1t was
now O'Clock. \ halt all along the line
was ordered by Gen Hooker, the
clouds had grown thick that further
advance was impracticable. AMI as his
ammunition was almost exhausted and
more could not we'll be brought up the
mountain But all the enemv's works
had been taken. Hooker had carried the
mountain the east side. had opened
communication with Chattanooga, and he
commanded the enemy'S line of defensive
works in Chattanooga valley.
In the morning it had not been known
in Chattanooga. in Shermans army, or
In Bragg camp, that a battle was to he
fought. Indeed, it was not definitely
known even TO Gen. Grant; for Hooker
was only ordered to make demonStra-
ton, and. if this showed a good chance
for success, then to make an attack. Soon
after breakfast Sherman'S men at the
other end OF the line, intent on the north
end of Missionary Ridge, and Thomas
men in the center, fretting to be let loose
from their Entertainments, were startled
by the sound of artillery and musketry
firing in Lookout valley. Surprise pos
Sessed the thousands whoi turned their
anxious eyes toward the mountain. The
hours slowly wore away, the roar of bat
tie increased. as ii came rolling around
the point of the mountain, and the
anxiety grew A battle was being fought
just before and above them. They could
hear, but could not see how it was going.
Finally the wind, tossing about the
clouds and mist, made rift that for
few minutes opened view of the plateau
The enemy was seen To be in flight, and
Rockers men We're in pursuit. Then
went UP a mighty cheer from the 10000
in the valley that was heard above the
battle by their comrades on the mountain
Although Gen. Grant had twice changed
his original plan, first in the movement
from the center, then III the reconnois-
sance and resulting attack on Lookout
mountain, he still adhered TO his purpose
of turning Braggs right, on Missionary
ridge, and made no change in the instluc-
tons given to Gen. Sherman, except as
to the time of attack. Every necessary
preparation for crossing Sherman's troops
over North Chickamauga creek, which
protected Bragg's right flank, had been
made secretly: 1l6 pontoons had been
In ravines near It's mouth. and many
wagon loads of "balks'' (stringers) and
chess (iooring) had been hid near by.
Sherman had his troops well massed
on the north side of the river. At mid
night of November 23 Gen. Giles A.
Smiths brigade entered the pontoons,
foated out Of North Chickamauga creek,
and was rowed to the south bank of the
river Landing quietly, he surprised and
captured the enemy's pickets, and Sc
cured firm foothold. The pontoons
were sent across the river, and with
these and the small steamboat brought
up from Chattanooga Gen. Morgan L.
Smiths and Gen. John +. Smiths divi-
sions were ferried over the river. AS
soon as these troops had been landed
work was commenced on the pontoon
bridge. The bridge was 1850 feet in
length. and was completed by IL o'clock
in the morning. when Gen. Ewing's
division and Shermans artillery crossed
At ! o'clock, just as Hooker was
rounding the front of Lookout mountain
the roar of his battle stirring the blood
of the veterans of the Army of the
Tennessee. Gen. Sherman gave the com
mand, Forward At $50 Gen. Sher-
man took the hill which was supposed 10
be the north end of Missionary ridge.
IL
little In advance, both separated by a
deep depression from the heavily fortified
Tunnel hill. on which Braggs right flank
rested and which was Sherman's objec-
tive point.
None Of the men of the Army of the
Cumberland, who for nine weeks were
buried in the trenches at ChattaEooca
can ever forget the glorious night of the
oath of November. AS the sun went down
the clouds rolled up the mountain and the
mist was blown out of the valley Night
came on clear. with the stars lighting up
the heavens But there followed a sight
to cheer their hearts and thrill their
souls. Away off to their right and reach
ing skyward Lookout mountain was
ablaZe with the fires of HoOlEers men,
while off to their left and reaching far
above the valley, the north end OF Mis-
sionary ridge was afiame with the lights
of Sherman's army. The great iron cres
cent that had. with threatening aspect so
long hung over them, was disappearing.
The only thought that dampened their en-
thusiasm was that the enemy was being
destroyed On their TANKS, while they were