GEN. GRANT’S DEPARTMENT: The Rebels Shell Our Camps on the River; ANOTHER LINE OF REBEL WORKS (11/19/1863)

This morning the enemy brought a battery down to the river side, and shelled the camp of the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois, guarding the ford six miles above here, killing Rev. Mr. SAUNDERS, Chaplain of the regiment. The rebels were forced to retire, after a half an hour's practice, by the Second Minnesota battery.

Nothing has occurred here to change the situation since my letter on the battle of Wauhatchie, except in the matter of supplies, which are now sufficiently abundant to furnish the army with full rations. There are now two steamers on the river, running from Bridgeport to Kelly's Ferry, whence a good wagon road leads to Chattanooga, crossing the Tennessee twice on pontoon bridges. The steamers make their landings on the south side of the river, at Kelly's Ferry, whence the wagons cross back to the north side, and cross again to the south side, at Chattanooga. The rebels continue their work of sending large rafts down the river, in order to break the bridges; but our troops catch the rafts and make firewood and houses of them. As wood is scarce in Chattanooga, this is a very acceptable labor of the enemy.

Deserters and prisoners from the enemy represent that it was their intention in the late fight to capture GEARY's command, and establish themselves in a position to prevent the opening of a short line of communication. They had tools with them with which to intrench their position. Gen. GEARY, in his official report, says he had posted his pickets and grand guard in accordance with the instructions laid down

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

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Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4197735/posts

Gen. Grant’s Department: The Rebels Shell Our Camps on the River – 2
The Rebel Conspiracy in Canada: Personnel of its Organizers – 2
Movements of Lee’s Army: Half of the Force Gone in the Direction of Richmond – 2-3
From Fort Smith: Capture of Prisoners and Stores – 3
Pacific Railroad – 3
The National Cemetery Dedication: Departure of Visitors – 3
Our Starving Soldiers at Richmond: The Rebels Refuse to Allow Col. Irving to Take Provisions to Richmond – 3
The Baltimore “American” Relief Fund – 3
Arrival of the Victims of Rebel Barbarity at Annapolis – 3
From Fortress Monroe – 3
Effort to Remove Gen. Grant – 3
News from Washington: Our Special Washington Dispatches – 3-4
The Working Women’s Union: Preliminary Meeting of Female Operatives to Form a Protective Association – 4
Editorial: Pennsylvania and the Government – 4-5
Reconstruction – 5
Warlike Preparations in Russia: Immense Preparations for War – 5
The Opening of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad – 5
Rise in the Ohio River – 5

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