Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1913-11-28
"Look to the Tunnel p

"Look to the Tunnelw
Batteries of both sides opened a fierce
c~annonade. Commands and warnings
were drowned in the uproar. Along
Sherman's disrupted line rang the ap-
peal, look to the tunnel!" In files
and squads excited men broke from the
regimental links and rushed toward
the mouth of the tunnel. But they
were too late. A stream of Confed-
crates poured through, and, as they
emerged from the Federal end, swung
into line on the flank of Smiths bri-
gade and regiments which had come to
his aid.
Bragg discovered Sherman's move
ment against his right flank in time to
thwart it by massing troops in the dan
ger zone. According to Grants plan
Hooker should turn the Confederate
left by passing from Lookout noun
tain, across the western end of Mis-
sionary ridge. This would compel
Bragg to retreat or to weaken his line
in front of Sherman in order to check
Hooker. However, Hooker was delay
ed several hours by a broken bridge
over Chattanooga creek.
Grant, who was watching Sherman's
attempt, saw that Bragg was master
Of Tunnel hill. He ordered Thomas to
send one division from the center to
Nhelp Sherman and with -four divisions
make a strong feint upon the COnfed-
crate cented. This ruse might weaken
Bragg's resistance to Sherman.
Grants orders to Thomas were that
his troops should charge to the base of
the fortified height and await further
commands. General T. ]. Woods divi-
sion led off. dashed through shot and
shell to the base and halted to take
breath. Then by impulse they mount
ed to the crest, to the surprise Inc an
noyanee of the chief.
Phil Sheridan Disobeys Orders.
Marching ON the right of Wood.
General Philip H. Sheridan's division
also reached the base of the ridge and
halted as ordered. Sheridan was dress
ed in full uniform and made a conspic-
nous target. One of his brigades be
gan to retreat to escape the CALLING
fire poured ON them from, the works on
the crest. The other two brigades fol-
lowed the example of Woods men and
rushed for the crest, leaving Sheridan
behind.
As soon rs the rush of Federals be-
gan, the C~onfederates on the crest fred
or hurled or rolled everything in the
shape of hurtful missiles down the
slope. Sheridan himself found the foot
of the slope a hot place to tarry. Aids
from the chiefs dashed up and asked
excitedly who ordered the troops up
the hill. Wood and Sheridan both re-
turned the same answer, q. didn't, but
we're going to take the ridgel"
Meanwhile the divisions of General
Absalom Baird and General r. w.
Johnson moved up to the right and left
OF Wood and Sheridan. Before the
movement could be checked from head
quarters the entire Army of the Cum
berland was scrambling up the bill in
broken detachments, it is true, but
with the enthusiasm which conquers.
Confederate guns were turned on for
mer owners, and this blow on Mission
airy Ridge, following Hooker's on Look
out, paralyzed the besiegers of Chat
tanooga, who stampeded to the rear.
Sheridan's advance struck General
Bragg's headquarter camp on the crest.
Bragg and other generals with him es-
capped just in time to avoid capture.
On a lower secondary ridge Sheridan
encountered a battery Of eight guns.
After a spirited fight this ridge was
captured.
Late In the afternoon Hooker's adj
vance crossed Chattanooga creek by
fording and captured an Isolated divi-
sion which was guarding the Confed-
crate left flank. Hooker then pushed
In In the Confederate rear.
Sherman's capture of Tunnel hill, the
last stronghold to fall, was a compare
lively easy task, with Thomas captnr-
ed guns raking the enemy's line on his
front. Thus ended the long contest for
Chattanooga. In three days the Fed
eral loss reached over 5000 killed and
wounded and the Confederate about
half that number.