Appendix to chapter XII.
Bragg's Report of battle of Chattanooga.
headquarters, army of the Tennessee, Dalton, Ga., November 30, 1863.
sir: On Monday, the 23d, the enemy advanced in heavy force, and drove in our picket line in front of Missionary ridge, but made no further effort.
On Tuesday morning early, they threw over the river a heavy force opposite the north end of the ridge, and just below the mouth of the Chickamauga, at the same time displaying a heavy force in our immediate front.
After visiting the right and making dispositions there for the new development in that direction, I returned towards the left, to find a heavy cannonading going on from the enemy's batteries on our forces occupying the slope of Lookout mountain, between the crest and the river.
A very heavy force soon advanced to the assault, and was met by one brigade only —Walthall's, which made a desperate resistance, but was finally compelled to yield ground—why this command was not sustained is yet unexplained.
The commander on that part of the field, Major-General Stevenson, had six brigades at his disposal.
Upon his urgent appeal, another brigade was dispatched in the afternoon to his support, though it appeared his own forces had not been brought into action, and I proceeded to the scene.
Arriving just before sunset, I found we had lost all the advantages of the position.
Orders were immediately given for the ground to be disputed until we could withdraw our forces across Chattanooga creek, and the movement was commenced.
