Doc. 14.-battles at Chattanooga, Tenn.
Despatches to the war Department: from General Grant.
[received 6.40 P. M., Nov. 23, 1863.]
General Thomas's troops attacked the enemy's left at two P. M. to-day, carried first line of rifle-pits, running over the knoll one thousand two hundred yards in front of Wood's Fort and low ridge to the right of it, taking about two hundred prisoners, besides killed and wounded; our loss small.
The troops moved under fire with all the precision of veterans on parade.
Thomas's troops will intrench themselves, and hold their position until daylight, when Sherman will join the attack from the mouth of the Chickamauga, and a decisive battle will be fought.
U. S. Grant, Major-General.
From General Thomas.
[received in cipher, 8.45 A. M., Nov. 25.]
Yesterday, at half-past 12, Granger's and Palmer's corps, supported by Howard's, were advanced directly in front of our fortifications, drove in the enemy's pickets, and carried his first line of rifle-pits between Chattanooga and Citico Creeks.
We captured nine commissioned officers and about one hundred and sixty enlisted men. Our loss, about one hundred and eleven.
To-day, Hooker, in command of Geary's division, Twelfth corps, Osterhaus's division, Fifteenth corps and two brigades Fourteenth corps carried north slope of Lookout Mountain, with small loss on our side and a loss to the enemy of five hundred or six hundred prisoners; killed and wounded not reported.
There has been continuous fighting from twelve o'clock until after night, but our troops gallantly repulsed every attempt to retake the position.
Sherman crossed the Tennessee before daylight this morning, at the mouth of South-Chickamauga, with three divisions of the Fifteenth corps, one division Fourteenth corps, and carried the northern extremity of Missionary Ridge.
General Grant has ordered a general advance in the morning.
Our success so far has been complete, and the behavior of the troops admirable.
Geo. H. Thomas, Major-General.
From General Grant.
[received 4 A. M., 25th.]
The fight to-day progressed favorably.
Sherman carried the end of Missionary Ridge, and his right is now at the Tunnel and left at Chickamauga Creek Troops from Lookout Valley carried the point of the mountain, and now hold the eastern slope and point high up. I cannot yet tell the amount of casualties, but our loss is not heavy.
Hooker reports two thousand prisoners taken, besides which a small number have fallen into our hands from Missionary Ridge.
U. S. Grant, Major-General.
From General Grant.
[received 10 P. M.]
Although the battle lasted from early dawn
[191]
till dark this evening, I believe I am not premature in announcing a complete victory over Bragg.
Lookout Mountain top, all the rifle-pits in Chattanooga Valley, and Missionary Ridge entire, have been carried and now held by us.
I have no idea of finding Bragg here to-morrow.
U. S. Grant, Major-General Commanding.
From General Thomas.
The operations of to-day have been more successful than yesterday, having carried Missionary Ridge from near Rossville to the railroad tunnel, with a comparatively small loss on our side, capturing about forty pieces of artillery, a large quantity of small arms, camp and garrison equipage, besides the arms in the hands of the prisoners.
We captured two thousand prisoners, of whom two hundred were officers of all grades, from colonels down.
We will pursue the enemy in the morning.
The conduct of the officers and troops was every thing that could be expected.
Missionary Ridge was carried simultaneously at six different points.
Geo. H. Thomas, Major-General.
From General Thomas.
General Davis, commanding division, Four-teenth corps, operating with General Sherman, gained possession of Chickamauga depot at half-past 12 to-day.
My troops having pursued by the Rossville and Greysville road, came upon the enemy's cavalry at New-Bridge, posted on east side of creek.
They retired on the approach of our troops.
The column will be detained for a few hours to rebuild the bridge, but Hooker thinks he can reach Greysville, and perhaps Ringgold, to-night.
Many stragglers have been picked up to-day, perhaps two thousand.
Among the prisoners are many who were paroled at Vicksburgh.
George H. Thomas, Major-General.
From General Grant.
I am just in from the front.
The rout of the enemy is most complete.
Abandoned wagons, caissons, and occasionally pieces of artillery, are everywhere to be found.
I think Bragg's loss will fully reach sixty pieces of artillery.
A large number of prisoners have fallen into our hands.
The pursuit will continue to Red Clay in the morning, for which place I shall start in a few hours.
U. S. Grant, Major-General.
From General Thomas.
General Palmer reports Johnson's division, Fourteenth corps, surprised A. P. Stewart's division last night, taking four guns, two caissons, and many prisoners.
Hooker reports his arrival at Ringgold at nine A. M. to-day; found the road strewn with caissons, limbers, and ambulances.
He commenced skirmishing with enemy at eleven A. M., in Railroad Pass or Gap, near
