Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/313

 Battle of CMckctmauga. 301

mountain, both very strong positions, which were left open by Gen- eral Bragg", but without any apparent object.

The enemy took position near Dug Gap, and as soon as they had done so, D. H. Hill was ordered to guard the passage in Pigeon mountain, while General Polk was summoned to make active opera- tions against the Federals in McLemore's Cove.

Thus the two armies faced each other on September roth, but no collision occurred. Hill made disposition for battle, and Cleburne's battle-scarred heroes deployed into line ready to spring forth with their habitual eclat, but before the order was given, word reached Hill from headquarters to suspend the movement.

It is believed by those acquainted with the conditions that a most favorable opportunity was lost at this time.

As an evidence of this, the Federals began a hurried retrogade march.

As soon as General Hill reported this fact, he was ordered to ad- vance, which he did with great spirit, but the Federals declined battle, and night being at hand, under favor of darkness, fell back to the hills in front of Steven's Gap, and escaped that- destruction which a skilled general like Hill, with his impetuous soldiers, could have wrought.

This was one of the lost opportunities of the war.

McCook assembled his corps near Winston's Gap, in Lookout mountain, some forty miles distant. Meantime Thomas began to move eastward to intercept General Bragg, whom Rosecrans be- lieved to be in full retreat.

Previous to these events a third corps of Rosecrans' army, under Crittenden, had crossed the Tennessee at Bridgeport, and at the mouth of Battle creek, and was moving by way of Ringgold towards Dalton.

Let us consider the situation at this time. Rosecrans' army was widely separated. McCook could only reach Thomas by a march of thirty-five miles, while Crittenden was separated from both, as he moved down the east side of Missionary ridge. General Bragg had concentrated his whole force near Lafayette, and it was impos- sible, therefore, for McCook to reach Thomas by the road men- tioned. There was but one opportunity open, and that was to march back into Wills' Valley and northward, some fifty miles through most difficult mountain roads and passes. It was fortunate, indeed, for the Federal commander that General Bragg did not take in the