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along the east base of Missionary ridge; and Loomis, in like manner, along the west base, supported by two reserve brigades, under John E. Smith.
The assaulting force advanced in a deployed line, preceded by strong skirmishers, and moved up the face of the hill to the very rifle-pits of the enemy.
About eighty yards from the rebel intrenchments, was a secondary ridge, which was gained at once, and firmly held.
The extreme end of the rebel work was also carried, and a strong point made, on the crest of the nearest ridge.
Sherman then pressed his attack to within pistol-shot of the main rebel line, and advanced his left division, under Morgan L. Smith, so as to cut off the enemy from the railroad bridge to Chickamauga; but no further advantage was secured.
The contest was close, lasting several hours; ground was given and lost, but the first position was all that was attained.
Neither, however, could the most determined efforts of the enemy dislodge the national troops from the important point they had gained.
Persistently, stubbornly, and well, they fought.
Corse was wounded at ten o'clock.
Sherman, at this time, threatened not only the right flank of the enemy, but his rear and stores at Chickamauga station; and Grant's real object was completely gained, for Bragg was forced to weaken his centre to support the rebel right.1 Column
1 General Sherman told me that he did not consider the hill for which he fought on November 23d, as very important in itself, and therefore used only three regiments, in the original attack; but he made as much noise and show as he could, to alarm Bragg for the safety of that flank, and of the railroad bridge, just in rear. His effort was, to induce Bragg to detach as much as possible from the centre, and so to weaken that, which Sherman knew, from Grant, would be the critical point of the battle. It was, at first, supposed that Bragg, finding Sherman on the end of Missionary ridge, would at once draw from his centre, to attack vehemently on the right; but this Bragg did not do; and then Grant ordered Sherman to attack Bragg, which evidently produced the same effect-weakening the enemy's line, and facilitating Grant's real object — to break the rebel centre.
New York Appleton 1885.
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