ALTOONA, PA.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 30. 1863
Clf We are for the Union, and, as we
have repeatedly said, •. we are in favor of
crushing this infernal rebellion, so effectu
ally that there shall never be another one
got up in this country, by a set of ambi
tious demagogues, to advance their schemes.
It must now be dear to all newspaper
readers, who have noticed the tone of rebel
(mats, since the outbreak of the rebellion,
that there is butone way whereby the Un
ion can .be saved and permanent peace se
cured, and that is by maintaining the au
thority of the Government and compelling
the rebels to acknowledge, it. The Gov
ernmentcannot maintain either its honor or
authority if it stoops to make concessions
to those in rebellion against it, nor can it
thereby secure a permanent peace. It is not
likely that those who, by once kicking
up their heels, compelled the Government
to come to terms with them, would have
much respect for its authority or power,
or wpu&t be long in finding another pre
text for repeating the operation and gain
ing further concessions, and, by con lining
the performance, would soon become the
Government itself.
We ore honestly opposed to making any
concessions, reconstructing, holding a peace
convention, or doing anything whereby
those now ut rebellion may be left in a sit
uation that would tempt them to a repeti
tion of the iniquities of the past two and
a half yean, and we are opposed to elect
ing any man to office who is in favor of
granting anything of the kind.
Remarks made by men previous to their
nomination for office, when they are not
considered in the ring of candidates, may
generally be set down as containing
-their true sentiments. We hate politics,
and have but little faith in the honesty of
politicians, in political affairs, yet know
ing the momentous issues involved in the
present contest, we would consider our
selves recreant to our duty to our country
did we not condemn what we honestly be-
Here to be wrong, and give to our readers
who, like ourselves, wish to cast their bal
lots for the Unien, all the light we can
get on subjects highly important to its per
petuation. We do not presume to dictate
to any man bow he shall vote, as we accord
Ut all the inalienable right which we claim
for ourselves, that of voting for whom
we please, yet we may present for his con
wfawtioa some facts which will enable
him to decide for whom he should vote,
and for this purpose we quote the follow
report of a speech delivered by Judge Cun
ningham* of Beaver county, at a Union
meeting, at Washington, Fa., on Saturday
last:
On taking the Hand, Judge Cunningham was
gnwtiid irllti frrinmflTrTn njirrlsmr He bad been
sdaeiMad aDaijtocrat, and like Paul at tbe feet of
inspiration from his apostle,
dndmw Jwduou- Tbe Judge declared that he
was been in favor of theDem
ocnttlc principles, but now that his country was
assaUw by .an internal foe—the enemy of his
gormimant—itwasbis doty, as it was that of
wht Imil man,to speake and act for tbe Union.
Jikigp Cunningham, after some farther patriotic
ladhgwt notib, referred to a conversation had
to.hin with Judge WoodwastMuFittsbui-g, in the
lUjhat U 62. Judge Cunningham approached
SJr. Woodward, and asked him for his opinion at
to aw was to be the result of this infamous fe
belliow. and bow : he thought it could be arrested.
Judge W. replied that he was in favor of with
dntWUlg all,of thp troops of the Union, North of
Hasen ~apd JnxouV line and of removing the
The speaker then asked him what
'would res&H from such action as he sag- |
gerted, and after considerable hesitation, Mr.
Woodward replied that he was in favor of <
trwiljnr the rebels with all kindness, and inti
mateduft byfoiee of arms we could never ce
ment a" perfect' Union. Judge Cunningham’s
manuka created a great impression, and the rela-
UOn.pTbis etMrvenation with the Denjocaatic can
djdate forQovwmorexcitedmnch surprise.
It prill be. seen that Judge Cunningham
ta aDwaocrat, and certainly could have
no dljcct'iß pablishing the above if it were
aot lifnCt hfSUSB are cannot be charged with
nUatilpg “Abolition lies,” Those who
plan of dosing
the latwllina to- be the surest and safest,
canWbtefprhim and give it atrial, but
; bpd all their effects moved
opt tbia ,pgfk «oontry before the
troops are withdrawn and the ports opened.
If the replies of Judge Woodward, to the
questions of dodge ' Cunningham, are bis
hr jiMirinit nnt in reference
Pennsylvania, we can
iMpelfaat •neb a calamity may never
|HjU|hn’ “Old Keystone,” whose sons have
her country’s foes,
:Tf' m “ l * "the ap
■ thorifr.hnoor and jwptuUy : Q* the Gov-
Harrisburg Telegraph, a[ Satur- ; IsdepsKDKKT.— All the independent
day last, announces that CoL TKoe. C. candidates for Assembly, previously an-
McDowell, late one of the editors ’of the nonneed, haring withdrawn from the con- ,
Harrisburg Patriot and Cfmon has came : test, Maj. Jesse R. Crawford, of Gaysport, i
out ior Curtin, and was ainnonneed as one gives- notice that he is upon the track as i
of the speakers at a Union meeting held j the competitor of Col. McMurtrie. What j,
at Reaver on FHday last i chance a volunteer will have against a reg
last night announced that ; u lar, remains to be seen. The Major is well
Thus. C. MacDowell, late oneofthe editors of the I ’ „ J 11
Patriot and Union, was to address a Union meeting j posted on all matters pertaining to legisla
in Eeaver that day in favor of the re-election of | tion.and would be able to hoe his own row
Gov.. Cortm. This we believe to be one of those; , . _ , *
contemptible falsehoods of which the' muddy brain * the solons at flamsbnrg. We do ■
of the Telegraph i* so-fruitful, and without any | no t know exactly tow the Maior stands on i
foundation in fact. Mr. McDowell has not been ! . T 7 . . , .
in any connection with this paper for oVer a vear, J Union question, but believe him to be
but We feel warranted in saying that his j a U right, else he would not offer himself
u unquestionable.—Harrisburg Patriot and Union \ ...
0/ Saturday last. as a candidate in this county. If he will
The Pittsburgh Commercial of Saturday
last, contains a lobg account of the . great
Union Mass Meeting, at Beaver, Pa., on
the day previous, in which the speech of
Col. .Thos. C. McDowell is reported at-con
siderable length. We have no doubt that
the Democracy of Col. McDowell is unques
tionable, yet we are forced to'believe, from
the evidence before us, that his’Democracy
is finding vent in the delivery of speeches
in favor of Andrew G. Curtin. The Pa
triot and Union must acknowledge the corn
this time.
EXTRACT FROM REMARKS OP Cot. McPoWELL.
It would be affectation in him, said Jdr. Mc-
Dowell, not to feel greatful for the Governor’s com
pliments, and spoke of the uninterrupted friend
ship existing between him and the Governor.
He was treading the last plank of his fiftieth
year’s existence, and for forty-five years of that
time bad taken part in the politics 'of Pennsyl
vania. The history of these years were rife with
interest. In 1632 the little State pf South Caro
lina, wiih all her impudence, undertook to set
herself op against the United States: but, thanks
to the immortal Jackson, be said “No," and
declared that the “Federal Union most and shall be
preserved." He reiterated it to-day, with all the
emphasis of his nature. Could it be possible that
the men of this day were less patriotic than those
of 1832. Gen. Jackson, in a letter to 'a clerical
friend, referring to the proposed schism, said the
“ snake was scorched, not killed, that slavery
would be the next issue.” His words have proved
true. The demon of destruction has sweept over
the land with an awful vengeance. Mr. McDowell,
in referrence to the charges as to who brought on
this war, charged it oh the Southern Confederacy,
and quoted in truth of his declaration the indict
ment fiamed by Alexander H. Stephens, Vice-
President of the-Confederacy, and presented in the
Georgia Convention in 1861. [The speaker read
the concluding paragraphs of the famous speech of
Mr. Stephens, and parenthetically remarked that
be wonld to God that Stephens, and men of hi»
mind had remained firm to their way of thinking
, then.] He proceeded to showthe immence prepa
-1 rations made for the rebellion, and claimed that
he was only surprised that the President had suc
ceeded so well in gappressing it. He thanked God
that he could sink . the man in the office, and
would give the President all the support he could;
He had been a Democrat all his life, and saw, no
reason to change his feelings in a party respect
now. If you would encourage your government,
give it all the support in your power; if not, we
become the minions of a despot of the must cruel
characters.
The speaker then proceeded to say a few words
to his old party friends—Democrats. He had
been struggling for some time to discover how he
could come out from his old party associations,
and he found he was bogging a myth. His
duty to his country at the present time was the
result of his considerations, The election of
Woodward would inspirit the rebels, and inter
vention of foreign powers would happen as sure as
day follows night. Let ns say to the South that
tlie Democracy of the North are opposed to them
and in favor of the maintenance of the Govern
ment aid the Union, and by the election of An
drew G. Curtin over George W. Woodward they
wonld exemplify it; He was post youthful am
bition, he had no desire for. office from either
States dr Federal Executives, and was only
prompted in his remarks by his duty to his country.
His remarks were especially directed Co the Demo
crats, if any were present, whose minds were not
clear, and Judging from the applause following bis
remarks on this subject, we would not be surprised
if there were hundreds of them present, It was
the duty of the North to shew the South that they
were determined to put down this rebelffoh, and
-that the loyalty of the Northern Democrats wonld
be demonstrated in the support of Cmtin. He
invoked them to decide for a man whose devotion
to his country has been proved. He bod been
aspersed by those in bis own household, bat. that
was the result of party spleen. He had been in
close intimacy with the man for many years, and
bespoke of the man as he knew him without refer
ence to liim as the Governor. He called upon his
auditors to support Andrew G. Curtin, as a mat
ter of devotion to the Union and closed his truly
elegant speech with an admirable tribute to the
loyally of the women.
After this we should not be surprised to
see articles styling Col'. Mac as always be
ing a “ fishy Democrat’" and a seeker
after “ loaves and fishes.”
SoLDiEHs’ Right to Vote. —ln the Di
gest of Election Laws \ with which, we
believe, each Election Hoard is furnished,
on pages 155-6, Section 29, is the follow
ing:
“No body of troops in the, army of the United
States, dr of this Commonwealth, shall hb present
either armed m unarmed, daring the time of such
election; Provided, That nothing herein contained
shallbe so construed as ,p> prevent any officer or
soldier from exercising the right of suffrage in tlie
election district to whiclt he may belong, if other
wise qualified according to law.”
We perceive the foregoing section of the
Election Laws, except the Proviso, pub
lished in several papers. It is undoubt
edly thus garbled, by certain political pa
pers, for the purpose of producing the false
impression that soldiers i have no right to
vote, even if present on the day of elec
tion, in the districts to which they respect
ively belong. It is a very shallow device
to deprive them of their right of suffrage.
BE ASSESSED!
Voterg, remember that Eriday next is
the last day on which this important mat
ter can be attended to in order to Secure a
vote at the ensuing election.
CaT We are requested to announce that
a Union Meeting will be held at Coleman’s
School House, in Uogan township, on Sat
urday evening next. Able speakers will
he in attendance.
support the authorities in their efforts to,
crush the rebellion, he will run a heavy
and may hurry the Colonel consid
erable. The mass of the people would
rather discard politics at present, and elect
good Union men without distinction of
party, if politicians would let them, but
we presume the present campaign will dif
fer but little from previous ones in this
respect, and candidates, whether regular
or volunteer, will be generally voted for
by the parties to which they belong.
Terrible Accident. — A despatch from
Chicago states that on Friday evening last
a special train, consisting of a locomotive
and twenty cars, left Kalamazoo, bound
West. While coming down the four mile
grade between Mata wan and Lawton, some
five drunken rowdies near the end of the
train cut the bell rope and pulled out a
coupling pin, thus dividing the train,
which, being upon a down grade, the en
gineer did not discover his loss until he
reached Lawton. Within two minutes
afterwards the rear portion of the train
was seen coming down the grade. The
engineer immediately put on steam to get
out of the way, but he pulled out with*
such force that the coupling was broken
the engine and the cars, and a
collision between the two portions of the
train ensued. Five persons were killed
outright, and twenty-two wounded, some
of them so seriously that recovery is im
possible.
We have hints through the daily pa
pers of important military movements ma
king at this time, the exact character of
which it would be contraband to publish.
There has been no fighting in North Geor
gia during the past week. The Army of
the Cumberland cannot be driven from its
present position, but will assunhe the offen
sive as soon as the reinforcements sent to
it shall arrive.
An expedition against Mobile has been
fitted out at New Orleans and sailed on its
missson
Gen. Gilmore is still engaged in con
structing batteries with which to reduce
Charleston, but the squally weather of the
last couple of weeks has seriously inter
fered with his operations.
Murder in Juniata County. —We
learm from the Juniata papers, that two
negroes, named Browne and Rigbee, got
into an altercation, and that the latter
shot the former in the thigh, severing the
main artery, from the effects of which he
died in a few minutes. Rigbee was at
once arrested and placed in jail. He al
leges that he acted in self-defence, as, at
the time he fired, Browne was making
at him with an axe.
03* There will be a rally of the friends
of the Uhion at Gonemaugh, ■ Cambria
county, to-morrow (Thursday) evening!—
Hon. L. W. Hall is expected to be present
to address the meeting. The people of
Cambria are being aroused to the impor
tance of the issue.
Browillow Defends Burnside.
Gen. Burnside has been censured for
not promptly reinforcing Gen. Rosecrans
during the late battle before Chattanooga,
but late advices inform us that Gen; B.
knew nothing of the engagement 'until it
was over, and Parson Brownlow, in the
following letter, shows the difficulties he
would have had to contend with, had he
known of the battle and attempted to re
inforce :
Editors Cincinnati Commercial :—As some re
flections are cast upon General Burnside for,not
having reinforced General Rosecrans, I beg ledve,
in vindication of the gallant Bnrnside, to state'a
few facts nut known to men who are ignorant of
the geography of that country. I claim to know
the country occupied by both armies. I traveled
through North Georgia as early as 1829, and lodged
with Cherokees, before the whites occupied the
country, and before there were good roads of any
kind. I have been travelingover that section, and
East Tennessee ever since, in every conceivable
way, and therefore it is that I know thoconntry.
first. It is one hundred and ten miles from
Knoxville to Chattanooga, apd it is about forty-five
miles from Chattanooga to Lafayette, (in the neigh
borhood of where the fighting began,) stiM further
south. Buckner, in retreating from Knoxville
burned the bridges behind htm,, rendering it im
possible for Gen. Burnside to reinforce General
Eosecrans with any speed; besides, Gen. Burnside
bad to keep an eye to the East, where, in twenty
four hours, an army 0f20,000 mo(t could be poured :
down upon him front Lynchburg, on the great
Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, In full posossion
of the rebels,' . I
The country in North Georgia 1* rather a level
country, with hills and ridges springing up, at in
tervals, and separating, one valley from another,
The streams are sluggish, and the hanks usually
high. The .-ountry is thickly timbered, with a
hear; undergrowth, making it rather impassable
for the operations of a large army.
For my part, I have qvery confidence in oar ul
timate success. Let Rosecrans be reinforced* and
he will whip the whole Confederacy. The media
tion I advocate, is that of the cannon and the sword;
and let there be no armistice, on sea or.land, nntil
pll the rebels, front and rear, North and South,
are subjugated or exterminated. And then let
condign punishment be speedily meted .ont to’the
surviving leaders in this unholy cursade against
civilization. My motto is, Greek fire for the mas
ses, and hell fire for the leaders. And none but
the loyal shonld be consulted in the great casting
up of these accounts. W. G. BROWNLOW.
The Great Battles in Georgia.
In the course of the 17th, already unmistakable ;
signs indicated that the enemy had'discovered the
weak points of our position, and were massing
their forces in front of onr left centre and left, for the
manifest purpose of crushing those parts ef par
lines, or getting between them and Chattanooga.
A corresponding movement by the left flank was
thence made by the whole army further down the
West Chickamauga, so that on Friday morning
our extreme left rested at Gorden’s Mill, at the
crossing of the Chickamanga by the Lafayette
Fike, about twelve miles southwest of Chattanooga.
On the morning of the 18th (Friday), a portion
of the expected reinforcements, consisting of two
brigades of the Reserve corps, respectively com
manded by Colonels McCook and Mitchell, made
their appearance near Chottanooga, and were im
mediately ordered to make a reconnoisancc toward
Ringgold, and develope the intentions of the enemy
from that quarter.
They came upon the advance of Longstreet’s
corps, pushed it back for some distance, took a
number of prisoners from it, and fully established
the anticipated concentration of the enemy in
front of our left. Aii day Friday the cavalry,
covering our front, skirmished with different]
bodies of the enemy issuing from the various gaps]
of Pigeon Mountains, and advancing upon and;
again retiring from our line. No serious collision,:
however, occurred. It was evident the Rebel
Generals meant to create a false impression as to
the points of qur lines against which they proposed
to strike a blow with concentrated power. But
Gen. Rosecrans was not deceived. The reports
from the front all tended to confirm his previous
impression that an onset in overwhelming num
bers was contemplated on our left flank, and that
it had to be met by a still further shifting line to
ward Chattanooga.
Accordingly on Friday night the divisions of
Bronnan ana Baird, formerly commanded by
Generals Kosseau and Reynolds, of Thomas’ Corps,
together with Johnson’s, of McCook’s Corps,
moved from the centre to the left of Crittenden's
Corps. They were in their new position at day
break. The two other divisions of McCook’s
Corps, Davis' and Sheridan's, were to move into
position abandoned by Thomas’ Corps, but had
not time to assume it fully before the commenccni
ot the action on the next morning. On Saturday
morning our line then appeared as follows ;—On
the extreme left Brannan, next Baird and Rey
nolds, with Johnson in reserve in the centre, Pal
mer on the right of Reynolds, and Van Glove on
his left. This line, as already stated, was to be
completed by Davis’ and Sherdan’s Divisions,
taced a little east of south. The scene of all the
movements on the 17th and 18th was McLamore’s
Cave, previously described as the valley formed
by the Missionary and Pigeon Mountains. The
valley is washed for its gi eater part by' the West
Chickamauga’, and traversed by two roads, one
leading from Rossville, and- the other from Chat
tanooga direct to Lafayette. The two roads run
about two miles apart, and west of the Cliicka
manga where the battle of Saturday was fought.
The section of the valley bordered by the two
roads is almost a plain, covered with thick woods,
which rendered the field unfavorable for the effect
ive use of artillery. The line proper, os given
above, rested nearly at the base of the Missionary
Mountains, some distance of its right. Gordon's
Mills, 'the point of intersection of the road from
Chattanooga to Lafayette, and the Chickamauga
aforementioned, was still held on Saturday morning
by \\ ood’s Division of Crittenden’s Corps, sup
ported by Negley’s of Thomas’. Their petition
was a strong one; but at an angel with the line
proper, appeared like a dangenous extention of
the latter, and was proved such by subsequent
events. It was meant to secure our right against
turning manoeuvres, but officers of good judgment
entertained the belief that both greater compact
ness from itheir closer contraction and perfect se
curity of the right might have been obtained by
posting the latter on the eastern abutments of
Missionary Ridge. The brigades of McCook and
Mitchell, of the reserve corps, were ordered back
to Rossville, on Friday aftermoon, for the pro
tection of our communication with Chattanooga,
and hence were not to participate in the struggle
of Saturday. The night had been frosty, and
the troops not being permitted to build bivouac
fires, the discomfort they experienced, together
with the fatigue from marching and want of sleep,
put them in a physical condition by no meanes as
vigorous as it should have been for the severe
work before them. Fortunately the sun; rose
cleori and, with its cheering rays, did much to re
vive the spirits of the army.
The early forenoon passed away without fore
warning of the approaching conflict; but shortly
before eleven o’clock the storm that had been
brewing all the morning on the Rebel side burst
fourth in the expected direction. At that time
a long masa of Rebel infantry was seen advancing
upon Brannan's division on the extreme left. It
first came up to the Second Brigade, Col. Crox
ton commanding, and soon forced it back despite
its determined resistance. The two other brigades
of the division at once nine to its assistance, and
succeeded in checking die progress of the Rebels
and driving them back; but their column in turn
being strongly reinforced, they advanced again
with wild yells. So powerful was this assault that
they pushed Brannan back to and beyond bis po
sition in the line, and thus uncovered lire left of
Baird’s division. Making prompt use of their ad
vantage, they changed their conrsc to the left,
and speedily enveloped Scrandner’s and King’s
brigades, the latter of Regulars. They were al
most, surrounded, hut managed to disentangle
themselves after fearful loss.
The crashing Rebel mass next came upon John
son's Division, and rolled it upon Reynold’s,
which also became speedily involved in the des
perate struggle. Tlie stubborn these
divisions, however, and the sweeping fire of some
batteries posted under the personal supervision of
General Rosecrans, arrested at last their sweeping
advance.
The divisions of Brennan and Baird having
been rallied. General Thomas ordered a 'general
advance of the right, and'soon the tide or battle
was decidedly tamed in our favor. .'With cheers
our line advanced, halting at times to shatter
the enemy with musketry. Several times the
latter’s retreating line stopped apd vainly tried to
retain their gained ground, but steadily they were
driven from position to position, and by four
o’clock all the ground lost was nearly recovered.
Several batteries belonging to Genofals jjaird’s
apd Brannan’s Divisions, whose horses had been
killed and supports, swept away, were retaken,
and several hundred prisoners captured. The
enemy left all- their dead and nearly all their
wounded on the field. There were at least five
hundred of the former. The Rebel troops engag
ing Thomas belonged to Buckner's and Long
street’s commands
At the time the straggle was turning in our
favor on the left, Bragg's army proper, copsisting
of the corps of Polk and HiU'(formerly Hardee’s)
moved to a most determined and well-executed
attack up apd Van Cleve’s divisions in
the centre. Its object was dbvioqaly to relieve the
defeated Rebel right. Palmer and Van Oleve soon
muncrtheipselves overpowered, and their divisions
breaking. Their complete route was imminent,
when Davis division came to their support on Van
Cleve s nghf. The timely reinforcements at first
bad the effoct of checking the enemy, and resto
ring onr Him j bqt the lie be 1 attack was speedily
renewed with greater numbers, and the centre
again compelled to yield. Davis was furred to the
right, and Van Clcve to the left, and the enemy
advanced through the opening made in our line,
threatening to take the centre and right by their
flanks, as they bad done on the left. At this crit
ical Juncture, Sheridan's division ap)ieared and was
at once thrown upon the enemy. It stood its
ground gallantly fur a while, Inn, U-reining soon
exposed to a destructive flank lire, was also coni
pelled to fall back. Fortunately the divisions of
Gens. Wotxl and Neglcy, that had been easily
withdrawn from Gordon's Mills when the Rebel
attack ou the left'threatened ip be successful, now
' came to the rescue.: After ahrief contest the Reb
els found themselves at last matched, and commen
ced giving way in their turn, Reynolds having al
so been sent to the assistance of the centre.
After the repulse of the Rebel right an advance
was ordered, and the original position regained
about snnset. About dark the cuemy made
another demonstration, with a heavy artillery and
musketry fire, upon the centre, but eliciting a
lively response, tltev soon abandoned this last
effort of the day. Thus ended the battle of the
lltth. It had been a defensive one on our part,
and although we lost no ground, and probably
less men and material than live enemy, its result
couid hardly be claimed os a triumph of Union,
arras. No substantial advantage had been won,
and a huge portion of the array was badly shat
tered. That the enemy, Avith his numerical stt|ie
rioity, would lie able to otter battle again on die
folly wing day. could be supposed. Gen. Rosecrans
nutieipaled a renewal of the struggle, and prepared
for it.
During the night the dispositions of our forces
was changed. The line was made to rest along'a
cross-road running, northeast and southwest, and
connecting the HoSsville hud Lafayette roads.—
B_y this disposition our extreme tight was made
to rest on Missionary Ridge. The new line was
a mile shorter than that of the day before. The
different divisions were disposed in this order:
From right to left, one brigade of Negley’s, John
son’s, Baird's, Palmer's, Reynold's, two brigades
of Negley’s, Wood's, Sheridan's and Davis’ Bran
nan’s anil Van Cleve’s formed the reserve. The
mounted brigades of Wilder and Minty covered
the right flank.
Sunday morning broke o|ien the hostile armies
as fair as that of the preceding day. , Contrary
to the universal expectation on our side, the
enemy again allowed the early hours, so well
suited to offensive manoevres io puss away un
disturbed by the sounds of battle, lire adaptation
of their plan ot attack to our new line, doubtless,
necessitated this. About nine o’clock a. few shots
were heard at various points of our front, but it
was only a little before ten that the report of
whole vollies announced the resumption of the
fight in good earnest. The firing that had be
gun upon onr left at once assumed the fiercest
character. The enemy repeated the tactics of the
previous day by throwing themselves first upon
our extreme left, formed by General Beatty's
Brigade ofNegloy's Division. It stood the onset
fur some time but finally retired.
Desiring to unite the two portions of General
Negley's command, General Roseerans ordered
General Wood's Division to take the position of
the two brigades stationed further to the right.
The Rebels, perceiving the withdrawal of Xeg
loy. and believing it to he.a retreat in good ear
nest, quickly also moved updp the centre, and the
action speedily became general- Finding them
selves unable to make an< impression on Wood,
the enemy, after the lapse of an hour or so,
seemed to concentrate their main strength upon
the centre, now again commanded by Thomas.
During rhe night onr troops had constructed
along the line barriers of logs and femce-rails. and
thus comparatively sheltered, they kept a con
tinuous, murderous musketry fire upon the enemy.
Our artillery was planted upon higher ground in
the rear, and fired over the infantry. Destructive
as our fire from small arms and cannon was, it
did not stay the advance of the Rebels. At
times they staggered, but only to rally and push
again forward toward our line. With frantic
yells, Longstreefs and Hill’s corps troth came
rolling stedily on, in columns by battalions. Our
centre, weakened to the extent of almost one
third, was not strong enough lor success in this
unequal contest. Closer and closer approaeiied
the shouting hostile masses, and at dost forced
Brannan’s divisions to yield its position.
Meantime, as General Reynolds was severely
pressed, General Wood was ordered to march in
stantly to the left flank, pass Brannan and go to.
his relief. Davis and Sheridan were to shift over
to the left, and thus close up the line. ■ As the oc
casion was urgent, General Wood drew in his
skirmishers with considerable haste, and the rebels,
for the second time, mistaking withdrawal for a
flight, pressed forward like a torrent and poured
musketty, canister and grape into the flank of the
division, moving npop the double quick. Tne
men endeavored for a time to keep their files in
order, but as the pitiless storm of lead and iron
continued to be hurled against them, the regiments
began to spread tint like a fan, wider and wider,
until finally they were torn to flinders.' This was
especially the cases with the brigade commanded
by Buell. Parker’s brigade alone passed on to its
destination comparatively intact.
The battle now extended upon its most critical
phase. . The breaks temporarily caused, by the
shifting of divisions from- one point of the line to
another, were so promptly perceived and turned to
advantage by the enemy, that they proved fatal,
and cost the kiss ■of the day. Davis's division,
coming tip to take Wood’s position on the extreme
left, was attacked with 'great suddenness and fury
by the left flank, and pushed to the right in utter
disorder. Simultaneously the weak remnants of
Van Gleye’s .and Palmer’s divisions, exposed by
the withdrawal of Davis’ division, were attacked
with.; equal' vehemence on the right, and forced
back iq great confusion. 1 The rout of the left and
right, was. now complete, and even the exertions of
General Roseerans and hjs Staff, who, with drawn
swonlsj attempted; to restore order, were of no.
avail. ’ Streams of demoralized, uncontrollable
men, fleeing towards the . rear, were all that ; re
mained of a largo portion of tire army.
Alter that fatal break our line of battle was not
again re-fprmed during the dav. The armv was,
in feet, cut- in, two—McCook,* with Davis, Sheri
dan and Wilder, being thrown off to the right;
Crittenden, except one brigade of Wood’s, being
broken-in pieces, and Thomas, with his indomita
ble corps, and Johnston’s division of McCook’s,
remaining alone upon the left. Thomas’ Divis
ions—Negley’s, Brennan's and Baird’s—had been
fearfully shaken aiid much scattered by the tight
over, the log works, and' Reynolds’ was the onlv
one that retired in tolerable order Retreat was
now the only resort left, and the whole disorgan
ized mass of our troops fell back over the road to
Rossville. Crowds of stragglers, in mobdike dis
order, made good speed toward Chattanooga, with
the exception of l)avis and Wilder, who,
cut.off; from die centre, still straggled ns host they
could.;
On the right the divisions of Baird, Reynolds,
Ncgley and Btanpan, and Barker's brigade of
Wood s division, alone retained cohesiveneSs, and
took a; position- along tho base of the Missionary
'Mountains, where the Rossville road- debouches
from them, for another fight. ■ The line was formed
so that the left rested upon the Lafayette road, and
the right at the gap represented an arc of a circle,
and a southern hill! about its centre formed the kev
to the position. ; Between 3 and S o’clock the ene
my appeared on the Lafayette road, and, moving,
by the left flank, soon formed for, another attack.
At first they directed a heavy fife of musketry
and artillery upon dur jiosition, as though meaning
to dispirit; jits defenders before coming to an assault,
but the 10,000 or 12,000 men that confronted them
felt that die fate of; the Array of the Cumberland,
and, in a great measure, that of the Union, de
pended upon the repulse of the enemy, anil when
the rebel lines finally came repeatedly to the at
tack, they advanced bnt to recoil with severe loss.
Our troops were formedin two lines upon the
cres V and, firing one after the other, they .kept, tipi
an unbroken frisilado with telling effect. The en
emy, consisting of Polk’s corps, were not only re
pelled, ibut thrown into such disorder that Turf-bin's
brigade and other portions of the line followed,- and
took seyeral hundred prisoners. Toward sunset the
enemy were driven Wk to the position rhev k
when tiling out of the Lafaveite mod, an.f
dune,l the contest. •
When Thomas" divitdou were most sorefv ~r , ..v
during tins afternoon, and it looked at one
though they would again have to somtml. to
perioc numbers, they were ghuldenctl an,l
aged by the advent, on the right, of Min he ll', ,
Whitaker’s brigades, of the .Reserve
the cqmman(l of General Gordon Granger. bi,'„.|.||'
With this accession of strength, onr ahilitv •.
maintain our position was no longer doubted
Scam after General Granger had reported.!,,
eral Thomas, his two brigades were sent out
the road, under command of General Sica, hu-m
to re-take an ammunition train that had fun,,
into the hands of the enemy. They unit ,^, ln
large,rebel force, and, after"a severe conflict.dr,,,'
them uwav.
While General Thomas was making his gallant
fight, Sheridan and Davis hod managed, after be
ing much cut up, to work their way to the U,».
vtlle lioad with the remnants of their division,
and fallen back in the direction of Chattanuo^,
At night General Thomas fell back to Rossviii,,
four miles from Chattanooga; after bringing a,,-,,
all the wounded, transportation aad other material
within reach.
While the struggle of Saturday ended in a drawn
battle, that of Sunday resulted in a disastrous de
feat., The failure of the first day was partly due
tlie greater numerical strength of die enemy, ami
jiurtly to the deficient formation of our line if
tie. That of the second' is justly ascribed to im
proper tactics on the battle-field, and aliove all t „
the absence of command. The inspiring exam
ple set and influence exercised by the Commander.
iu-Cbief at Slone River were wanting—he Imvin .
bean, compelled t o'leave the field and return m
Chattanooga, before the action was over.
The early disappearance of two Corps command
ers from the field also made a demoralizing m ,_
pression. The loyal people certainly have ail ,
tor self-congratulation that the Army of the t'inn
berland was not completely destroyed, and
profound gratitude to General Thomas and
under him who saved it. Our losses are great.—
That in killed, wounded and missing will probably
reach ten thousand. Of artillery we are less somi
fifty pieces, mostly lost on Sunday. Of nag.™,
loaded with ammunition and supplies ambulance*
ic., we have also lost a great numl>er. They wen
abandoned in the retreat on Snudav.
General Uosccrans and his lieutenants were bu
sily engaged on Monday in strengthening their
position by field-works, and re-organizing ilu ir
'commands. While the army itself may he con
sidered safe enough, it is most certain that it tin
enemy have the advantage of greater number*,
flanking movements will coiu|jt-l Ihisccrans in n,
treat across the Tennessee, in ease reinforcement*
should not promptly reach him.
A New Disease in Char Is ton
The Suuth Carolinian says: ■■ A new ili-.M-.-
eal led “Febris Crustacea," or shell fever, ha* ri
cemly broken out on our coast It comes on sud
denly, the patient starting as it alarmed — just lil*.-
eases of children frightened precedes the atta.-h
Those affected generally mter an exclamation ~t
surprise, and are agitated, a sort of chonu conn -
on,;or sudden jerkings of the muscles of the lower
limbs; causing a tendency to locomotion—tin
disposition being to-move about from one plac e t.,
another, hut rather more to exercise in a straight
line to some distant point. Some, ivhuse knee* arc
weak, are taken with a tendency to shaking. I.m
it has been remarked that many of these ea*c.
seemed strengthened, and they move as rapidly a*
more vigorous subjects.* This class of eases 'pre
dominate largely, while others have a disposition
to inaction, and show a propensity to avoid am
motion, even to walk np stairs. They strangely
have a disposition to descend into underground c t-l
lars, or damp basements, where they remain
almost powerless, fancying they hear noise* in tin
air, such as whistling, whizzing, and
shrieks. This class to have the neivcm
system rendered vciy acute, and sleep badly, wak
ing np constantly with a start. We saw irme of
thq cases recently in Charlston, and met several
during the night, actually in the street. We heard
of one old gentleman who left Charleston Hotel
without notice, and ran with agility in the direc
tion of the Citadel, who was found in the- morning
hugging a post under its north wall—safe from
harm. Many other cases were noted. Recoveries
were generally rapid, and we- heard of none ter
minating mortally.”
Our Union War a Sporting ■■ Event.”—An
immense number of bets, says the London A’w.v,
ofSeptember 9th, have been made in Southamp
ton during the American struggle between iln*
sympathizers with the North and those who mr
for the South. In fact, bets have made been upm
every particular struggle between the belligerent?.
One of the most amusing wagers was a new h;u
that the Federal? would enter Kichm'und before
the Confederates entered Washington. As Imth
parties have heads of the same size, a n?w hat
was at once ordered to be made aud kept until the
bet was decided. When Lee crossed to the north of
the Potomac, or the Federals cross to the south of
that river, the fate of the hat excites the greatest
curiosity. The siege of Vicksburg caused a large
number of transactions, the Southern sympathizer*
belting freely, owing to the confident state mem?
of the London Tunes and Staniijril that the town
could not possibly be captured. A bushel of rip
apples, of a new sort, grown at Woodlands, in the
New Forest, was laid that ihegreat fortress on the
Mississippi could not he taken, and the winner
has Just received the “ Vicksburg pippins” as they
have besen named. The current odds arc that the
steam rams will escape from Laird’s and get into
the hands of the* Confederates.
DEMOCRATIC
MASS MEETING
A Grand Mass Meeting of the Demo-
crats and Conservative Men, who arc in
favor of the speedy suppression of tin*
Southern rebellion, and of maintaining in-
violate the Constitution of our fathers.
and of preserving our inalienable rights.
Liberty, Security and Happiness, will be
held
AT ALTOONA,
Saturday Evening, Oct. 3d
By arrangement of the State Executive
"Committee, ,the following able speaker?
will positively be present and address the
meeting:—Hon. J.-ltoss Snowden, of Phil
adelphia ; Hon. Henry I). Foster of West
moreland ; Huns. Wm. Bigler and Win. A.
Wallace, of Clearfield; Hon., Wm. A. Mont
gomery, of Washington-county, and 11. S-
Johnston arid Philip S. Noon, Esqrs-, ol
Cambria.
: Arrangements have been made to have
the Fast Line East stop at all Stations
between Altoona and Petersburg, and Ex
cursion tickets will be issued from all sta
tions at which fifty tickets can be sold.
WM K. LEONARD, ] 0
. : S. M. WOODKOK, | 5
• .lAS. LOWTHER, =
Jacob iiessek. I
i J JOHN IIICKEV, J:•
|UtOOM Irik
fiMtHlw CtafWl’t SKE "Pantry frea'
rfiIBUNE POWER-PR
’■' AST
PRINTING OFFICE
j| AT lug, wllhiu Ui« past two v*av*. coxwi
iJitloo to ottC ortthbUi4)m«*iit in Iho wa/. of wi
‘ L. sere«r Fifes*, Paper Cutter. Canl Cutter. Ral
iiims Cord wt * r Press, ami lnr*e
i* col of which we.give hUjvcj wo are now \
* execute anything in th- line of prlntiug ur r
sityl*> e«iUOl h> nay ••stablwhim-i.t iu the 'tale
* cic J w injually low. Wo ca»v execute, on short m
padding. Invitation. Visiting, Ball & Business
Circulars, Prograxaiueii,
MAMMOTH posters, sale bi
sflyL m® luruifii^KisA®
pamphlets. Pay and Check 1
BLANK BOOKS.
manifests, and blanks of all k
\l) we is a trial. Idling cou&Ueut that we
. itiitAtction If we have the opportunity,
office l*» LowtherV'buildiag. corner of Virginia
1,. Hirst'S «>p|HMits Superintendent** Office- -
jL.OC-A.ll. ITEM;
Monk About Jim Moork,—We hat
another letter from our soldier Metal, Jim
which announces that he U well and heart
fact Jim has stood the rough usage of the
of the Potomac remarkably well, as he - info
that he has not been one day in any la
*ince his connection. with the army, no
yea is, and he lias been as faithful to his p
, l 4 has been healthy, not having been
from his company twenty-four hours, eitl
furlough or “Prenchie,” in all that time;
Army of the Potomac is again on the i
and the stb corps, to which the Reserves “a
niched, were at Ruptdan.Stiuion when Jim
as. He informs us of the death of private f
P. Black, who lived near Fostorin, in this c
Black was a member of Co. F. 2d Reservi
appears That he went bathing in the Hap
nock, near B. R. station of that naim
getting beyond his depth, ami being tin;
swim, was drowned. This occurred on the
September. His body was recovered «u I
uf September and placed in a coffin and iuu
-limt distance from that stilt ion. He wins ago
dierand beloved by fill his comrades. He hi
in all the battles of that army from the dati
entrance into it, up to this time, and aide
ping all its dangers, it fs sorrowful to thin
he should be thus suddenly called away
friends and glory.
New Postal Cckrescy.—The new frat
postal currency, says Thompson’s Bank No
porter, is to Be one of the same denomitmt
the old, hut instead of being diftcrcjii size
will be of dimentious of the present ten cent
They ire engraved in the highest styles of a
the, colors, which are the distinguishing nn
the different values, are of such a chemical
bination, it is asserted, as to defy photogra
They are printed on paper made by a seere
cess in the; Treasury Department, thinnci
that now in common use, and very much el
The advantage will consist largely in the fa
it is forty times stronger than the pa|ier non
and can be washed like a piece of linen i
in any way injuring the engraving. :■ It
graphs a dark brown instead of white.
Democratic Mass Meeting. —By refen
another column it will be seen that the Dc
cy intend holding a grand Mass Meeting
place, on Saturday evening next. A nnr
the ablest speakers of the party will be prei
that occasion. Considering that these men
expounders of the doertines of their per
that the issues involved in the present politic
test in this State are momentous, they six
heaird by all voters, in. order that they mi
understandiugly. Arrangements have beei
for the issuing of excursion tickets from
tions bn the Penn’a K. R., between Altooi
Petersburg, at which. 50 or more tickets
sold. We hope this pieeting will pass oft’ a
ctly and orderly as did the Union meeting,
two weeks since.
He Didn’t Mean It, op Course.—A lit
cident occurred; a few .days since, which
how easily, in these days of party names, a
may say what he docs ugt .really mean, an
notice it, and ivlnif a handle can be made of
marks by bis opponents. After the Demi
meeting, in Kurtz’s Hall, on Thursday c
last, a member of the Union party met a Dei
who had been in attendance, and qneslkmei
as to the speakers and numbers present,
then asked whether there were any Uniot
there, when the Democrat at once replied
not a Union man.”
Daniel’s Commisg. —Of course everybot
lead this article, even if they do get foo
Printers haye a captivating way of, heading
in order to i get people to read thepi, and
frequently get “ fits” for so doing; but we
commence this article to make excuses fi
nonsense; we only meant to say that Dan I
man is now in (he city buying his fall st<
ready made clothing, which he will have on
hf.’Ule Uttbr part of the week. This is al
raw Dan always brings a good stock am
cheap.'
A Mammoth Depot. —The new depot
Pennsylvapia railroad 'now ui course of erc<
PiUsbnrg,will have a from on Liberty si
''even hundred feet, and on Elm street of o
dred and fifty-nine feet. Five hundred fee
Liberty street front will-be of iron bight
mented, and file- elevation of the roof in t
tre will be seventy-five fcet. The phu.
building comprehends a large hotel, drain
■rid when finished it twill be one of t
vxfiengiye jand handsome structures of the
ler in the.Dnited States.
U»WW|ABU£. —It is an nnderiiaUe fac
jjian who wishes to do a thriving
ohtrtj» tht patronage of the Mhitngi
stock and be aceominwi
All «t Otto Boasi’s Saloon am
* I ’ la<e -t§*te|s, will bo politely waited t
up to them .as fine’a dish of
jat the town. lio»l also
offruit, confeajooer