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.
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.
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.
Although the battle lasted from early dawn
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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
