按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
holding only the line of Missionary Ridge； and our troops； being now
practically connected from Sherman to Hooker； confronted it with the
Army of the Cumberland in the centrebowed out along the front of
Wood's division and mine。 Early in the day Sherman； with great
determination and persistence； made an attempt to carry the high
ground near the tunnel； first gaining and then losing advantage； but
his attack was not crowned with the success anticipated。 Meanwhile
Hooker and Palmer were swinging across Chattanooga Valley； using me
as a pivot for the purpose of crossing Missionary Ridge in the
neighborhood of Rossville。 In the early part of the day I had driven
in the Confederate pickets in my front； so as to prolong my line of
battle on that of Wood； the necessity of continuing to refuse my
right having been obviated by the capture of Lookout Mountain and the
advance of Palmer。
About 2 o'clock orders came to carry the line at the foot of the
ridge； attacking at a signal of six guns。 I had few changes or new
dispositions to make。 Wagner's brigade； which was next to Wood's
division； was formed in double lines； and Harker's brigade took the
same formation on Wagner's right。 Colonel F。 T。 Sherman's brigade
came on Harker's right； formed in a column of attack； with a front of
three regiments； he having nine。 My whole front was covered with a
heavy line of skirmishers。 These dispositions made； my right rested
a little distance south of Moore's road； my left joined Wood over
toward Orchard Knob； while my centre was opposite Thurman's house
the headquarters of General Braggon Missionary Ridge。 A small
stream of water ran parallel to my front； as far as which the ground
was covered by a thin patch of timber； and beyond the edge of the
timber was an open plain to the foot of Missionary Ridge； varying in
width from four to nine hundred yards。 At the foot of the ridge was
the enemy's first line of rifle…pits； at a point midway up its face；
another line； incomplete； and on the crest was a third line； in which
Bragg had massed his artillery。
The enemy saw we were making dispositions for an attack； and in plain
view of my whole division he prepared himself for resistance；
marching regiments from his left flank with flying colors； and
filling up the spaces not already occupied in his intrenchments。
Seeing the enemy thus strengthening himself； it was plain that we
would have to act quickly if we expected to accomplish much； and I
already began to doubt the feasibility of our remaining in the first
line of rifle…pits when we should have carried them。 I discussed the
order with Wagner； Harker； and Sherman； and they were similarly
impressed； so while anxiously awaiting the signal I sent Captain
Ransom of my staff to Granger； who was at Fort Wood； to ascertain if
we were to carry the first line or the ridge beyond。 Shortly after
Ransom started the signal guns were fired； and I told my brigade
commanders to go for the ridge。
Placing myself in front of Harker's brigade； between the line of
battle and the skirmishers； accompanied by only an orderly so as not
to attract the enemy's fire； we moved out。 Under a terrible storm of
shot and shell the line pressed forward steadily through the timber；
and as it emerged on the plain took the double…quick and with fixed
bayonets rushed at the enemy's first line。 Not a shot was fired from
our line of battle； and as it gained on my skirmishers they melted
into and became one with it； and all three of my brigades went over
the rifle…pits simultaneously。 They then lay down on the face of the
ridge； for a breathing…spell and for protection' from the terrible
fire； of canister and musketry pouring over us from the guns on the
crest。 At the rifle…pits there had been little use for the bayonet；
for most of the Confederate troops； disconcerted by the sudden rush；
lay close in the ditch and surrendered； though some few fled up the
slope to the next line。 The prisoners were directed to move out to
our rear； and as their intrenchments had now come under fire from the
crest； they went with alacrity； and without guard or escort； toward
Chattanooga。
After a short pause to get breath the ascent of the ridge began； and
I rode； into the ditch of the intrenchments to drive out a few
skulkers who were hiding there。 Just at this time I was joined by
Captain Ransom； who； having returned from Granger； told me that we
were to carry only the line at the base； and that in coming back；
when he struck the left of the division； knowing this interpretation
of the order； he in his capacity as an aide…de…camp had directed
Wagner； who was up on the face of the ridge； to return； and that in
consequence Wagner was recalling his men to the base。 I could not
bear to order the recall of troops now so gallantly climbing the hill
step by step； and believing we could take it； I immediately rode to
Wagner's brigade and directed it to resume the attack。 In the
meantime Harker's and F。 T。 Sherman's troops were approaching the
partial line of works midway of the ridge； and as I returned to the
centre of their rear； they were being led by many stands of
regimental colors。 There seemed to be a rivalry as to which color
should be farthest to the front； first one would go forward a few
feet； then another would come up to it； the color…bearers vying with
one another as to who should be foremost； until finally every
standard was planted on the intermediate works。 The enemy's fire
from the crest during the ascent was terrific in the noise made； but
as it was plunging； it over…shot and had little effect on those above
the second line of pits； but was very uncomfortable for those below；
so I deemed it advisable to seek another place； and Wagner's brigade
having reassembled and again pressed up the ridge； I rode up the face
to join my troops。
As soon as the men saw me； they surged forward and went over the
works on the crest。 The parapet of the intrenchment was too high for
my horse to jump； so； riding a short distance to the left； I entered
through a low place in the line。 A few Confederates were found
inside； but they turned the butts of their muskets toward me in token
of surrender； for our men were now passing beyond them on both their
flanks。
The right and right centre of my division gained the summit first；
they being partially sheltered by a depression in the face of the
ridge； the Confederates in their immediate front fleeing down the
southern face。 When I crossed the rifle…pits on the top the
Confederates were still holding fast at Bragg's headquarters； and a
battery located there opened fire along the crest； making things most
uncomfortably hot。 Seeing the danger to which I was exposed； for I
was mounted； Colonel Joseph Conrad； of the Fifteenth Missouri； ran up
and begged me to dismount。 I accepted his excellent advice； and it
probably saved my life； but poor Conrad was punished for his
solicitude by being seriously wounded in the thigh at the moment he
was thus contributing to my safety。
Wildly cheering； the men advanced along the ridge toward Bragg's
headquarters； and soon drove the Confederates from this last
position； capturing a number of prisoners； among them Breckenridge's
and Bates's adjutant…generals； and the battery that had made such
stout resistance on the crest…two guns which were named 〃Lady
Breckenridge〃 and 〃Lady Buckner〃 General Bragg himself having barely
time to escape before his headquarters were taken。
My whole division had now reached the summit； and Wagner and Harker
the latter slightly woundedjoined me as I was standing in the
battery just secured。 The enemy was rapidly retiring； and though
many of his troops； with disorganized wagon…trains and several pieces
of artillery； could be distinctly seen in much confusion about half a
mile distant in the valley below； yet he was covering them with a
pretty well organized line that continued to give us a desultory
fire。 Seeing this； I at once directed Wagner and Harker to take up
the pursuit along Moore's road； which led to Chickamauga Station
Bragg's depot of supplyand as they progressed； I pushed Sherman's
brigade along the road behind them。 Wagner and Harker soon overtook
the rearguard； and a slight skirmish caused it to break； permitting
nine guns and a large number of wagons which were endeavoring to get
away in the stampede to fall into our hands。
About a mile and a half beyond Missionary Ridge； Moore's road passed
over a second ridge or high range of hills； and here the enemy had
determined to make a stand for that purpose； posting eight pieces of
artillery with such supporting force as he could rally。 He was
immediately attacked by Harker and Wagner； but the position was
strong； the ridge being rugged and difficult of ascent； and after the
first onset our men recoiled。 A staff…officer from Colonel Wood's
demi…brigade infor