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

[236] flag in triumph at Raymond, at Jackson, at Champion Hill, and at Vicksburgh, is no longer a matter of question.

Tunnel Hill had been abandoned by the rebels in the night; and when I left the summit of the Ridge about noon, the right and left wings of our army were advancing, while the centre still held its position. No enemy was visible, but columns of smoke rising from various points told that the enemy was burning the bridges over the Chickamauga, and such of his stores as he could not carry away. Sherman was throwing a shell, occasionally, into some old rebel camps, which came in sight as he advanced. “No use beating those bushes,” said old Willich, after closely inspecting these camps through his field-glass; “the bird has flown.”

Estimates of the losses in the last great contest have already been given by telegram. I shall not repeat them here.

In the entire three days operations, I think our own loss will reach six hundred killed, three thousand wounded, and four hundred prisoners. It cannot, certainly, exceed this; it may fall considerably below.

The rebel loss will not fall short of five hundred killed, two thousand five hundred wounded, five thousand prisoners, seven thousand stands of small arms, twenty stands of colors, and forty pieces of artillery.

General Grant has made an important move upon the military chess-board to-day, and one that is likely to exert an important influence upon military operations in this quarter. At an early hour this morning, when the fog had lifted from the valley below, it was discovered that the Federal Commander was massing a heavy force on his left, and opposite to our right. As the morning advanced, this force grew denser and larger, until it covered all the slopes this side of Cemetery Fort, which is near the river above, and the last work the enemy has on his left. At twelve M., these masses deployed into two lines of battle, with heavy reserves. This movement completed, the guns of the fort opened at two P. M., when the heavy lines of the Federals advanced rapidly against our pickets, and drove them in, after a sharp resistance on their part. By three o'clock, the enemy had gained Indian Hill, an eminence which stands about midway between Cemetery Fort and Mission Ridge, being between his left wing and our right. He advanced upon no other part of our lines, and rested after gaining possession of the hill.

In the mean time, Major Robertson brought up a few guns of his reserve artillery, and, with other batteries posted on Mission Ridge to the right, opened upon the enemy, with what effect is not known. We only know that he maintained his new position, notwithstanding our fire. No report has been received of our casualties beyond a surmise in official quarters, that they will reach from one to two hundred in killed and wounded. Only our pickets were engaged, the enemy not coming within range of our line of battle.

When this movement was going on, it was observed that the enemy threw a considerable column. up the river further to our right, as if he intended to overlap our line, and compel us to stretch it out to a length that would render it very long and very weak. Can it be that he means to threaten our depot of supplies at Chickamauga Station, and at the same time to draw us away from Lookout Mountain? The idea that Grant desires to advance his lines in order to get more room and a further supply of firewood, as has been suggested, will not bear the test of reason. A movement on so large a scale looks to ulterior objects, and is intended to initiate operations upon a broad and comprehensive scale.

The first result of such a movement will be to compel General Bragg to weaken his forces on Lookout Mountain, (his left,) to reinforce his right, which is comparatively weak. Indeed, orders to this effect have already been given, and are now being executed. It will never do to let the enemy turn our right, and get possession of our depot at Chickamauga.

General Bragg, therefore, must choose between Lookout and Chickamauga. The demonstration to-day was intended, doubtless, to force him to make his election between the two. If he decide to hold Chickamauga, then he must yield the mountain, and throw his army between the enemy's encroaching left wing and the railroad. If he gives the preference to Lookout, then the railroad and his depot of supplies must go.

The natural effect of the affair to-day, as has already been intimated, will be to force General Bragg to weaken his left, in order to strengthen his right wing, now threatened by a formidable and largely superior force. This, I doubt not, was one of the objects of the demonstration. I look, therefore, for an assault upon Lookout tomorrow, when it will be less able to resist an attack than it was to-day. Our artillery on the mountain will be of no assistance after the enemy shall have reached the foot of the mountain, it being impossible to depress the guns sufficiently. The importance of the mountain ceased with the loss of Lookout Valley. The possession of the valley reduces the wagon transportation of the enemy to two or three miles at farthest, and gives him the use of the river besides. The voluntary abandonment of the mountain, therefore, should occasion no regret, since its longer retention is not only of slight importance, but will be attended with much difficulty, on account of the great length of our line.

Well, the enemy has assaulted Lookout Mountain to-day, sure enough, as was intimated in my letter of last night he probably would do. Having accomplished a part of the object of his demonstration yesterday, to wit, the transfer of a portion of our forces on the mountain to the extreme