第 43 节
作者:冥王      更新:2021-02-20 16:48      字数:9322
  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