Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 8.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[208] in full view of the enemy. In consequence of the bad condition of the roads, General Sherman's troops were occupied all of Sunday in getting into position. In the mean time, the river having risen, both pontoon-bridges were broken by rafts sent down the river by the enemy, cutting off Osterhaus's division from the balance of Sherman's troops. It was thought this would delay us another day; but during the night of the twenty-second, two deserters reported that Bragg had fallen back, and that there was only a strong picket-line in our front. Early on the morning of the twenty-third, I received a note from Major-General Grant directing me to ascertain by a demonstration the truth or falsity of this report.

Orders were accordingly given to General Granger, commanding the Fourth corps, to form his troops and to advance directly in front of Fort Wood, and thus develop the strength of the enemy. General Palmer, commanding the Fourteenth corps, was directed to support General Granger's right with Baird's division refused and in echelon; Johnson's division, Fourteenth corps, to be held in readiness under arms in the intrenchments, to reenforce at any point. Howard's corps was formed in mass behind the centre of Granger's corps. The two divisions of Granger's corps, Sheridan's and Wood's, were formed in front of Fort Wood--Sheridan on the right, Wood on the left, with his left nearly extending to Citico Creek. The formation being completed about two P. M., the troops were advanced steadily and with rapidity directly to the front, driving before them, first the rebel pickets, then their reserves, and falling upon their grand-guards stationed in their first line of rifle-pits, captured something over two hundred men, and secured themselves in their new position before the enemy had sufficiently recovered from his surprise to attempt to send reenforcements from his main camp. Orders were then given to General Granger to make his position secure by constructing temporary breastworks, and throwing out strong pickets to his front. Howard's corps was moved up on the left of Granger with the same instructions, and Bridge's battery (Ill.) was placed in position on Orchard Knob. The troops remained in that position for the night.

The Tennessee River having risen considerably from the effect of the previous heavy rain-storm, it was found difficult to rebuild the pontoonbridge at Brown's Ferry. Therefore, it was determined that General Hooker should take Osterhaus's division, which was still in Lookout valley, Geary's division, and Whitaker's and Grose's brigades of the First division, Fourth corps, under Brigadier-General Cruft, and make a strong demonstration on the northern slope of Lookout Mountain, for the purpose of attracting the enemy's attention in that direction, and thus withdrawing him from Sherman while crossing the river at the mouth of South-Chickamauga. General Hooker was instructed that in making this demonstration, if he discovered the position and strength of the enemy would justify him in attempting to carry the point of the mountain, to do so.

By four o'clock on the morning of the twenty-fourth, General Hooker reported his troops in position and ready to advance. Finding Lookout Creek so much swollen as to be impassable, he sent Geary's division, supported by Cruft's two brigades, to cross the creek at Wauhatchie and work down on the right bank, while he employed the remainder of his force in constructing temporary bridges across the creek on the main road. The enemy, being attracted by the force on the road, did not observe the movements of Geary until his column was directly on their left, and threatened their rear. Hooker's movements were facilitated by the heavy mist which overhung the mountain, enabling Geary to get into position without attracting attention.

Finding himself vigorously pushed by a strong column on his left and rear, the enemy began to fall back with rapidity; but his resistance was obstinate, and the entire point of the mountain was not carried until about two P. M., when General Hooker reported by telegraph that he had carried the mountain as far as the road from Chattanooga valley to the “White house.” Soon after, his main column coming up, his line was extended to the foot of the mountain, near the mouth of Chattanooga Creek. His right, being still strongly resisted by the enemy, was reenforced by Carlin's brigade, First division, Fourteenth corps, which arrived at the “White house” about five P. M., in time to take part in the contest still going on at that, point. Continuous and heavy skirmishing was kept up in Hooker's front until ten at night, after which there was an unusual quietness along our whole front.

With the aid of the steamer Dunbar, which had been put in condition and sent up the river at daylight of the twenty-fourth, General Sherman by eleven A. M. had crossed three divisions of the Fifteenth corps, and was ready to advance as soon as Davis's division of the Fourteenth corps commenced crossing. Colonel Long, (Fourth Ohio cavalry,) commanding Second brigade, Second division cavalry, was then ordered to move up at once, follow Sherman's advance closely, and to proceed to carry out his instructions of the day before, if not required by General Sherman to support his left flank. Howard's corps moved to the left about nine A. M., and communicated with Sherman about noon.

Instructions were sent to General Hooker to be ready to advance, on the morning of the twenty-fifth, from his position on the point of Lookout Mountain to the Summertown road, and endeavor to intercept the enemy's retreat, if He had not already withdrawn, which he was to ascertain by pushing a reconnoissance to the top of Lookout Mountain. The reconnoissance was made as directed, and having ascertained that the enemy had evacuated during the night, General Hooker was then directed to move on the Rossville road with the troops under his command, (except