THE COAST ARTILLERY JOURNAL - Air Defense Artillery

226 THE COAST ARTILLERY JOURNAL
enemy northward on the twenty-second and twenty-third and occupied positions
in front of the Northern army.
The line held by the Southern troops extended along the western base of
Missionary Ridge from the railway tunnel to a point about two miles farther
south than Orchard Knob, thence westerly across Chattanooga Valley to Lookout
Mountain. 4 The commander of the Southern troops, Lieutenant General
Bragg, contented himself with investing the Northern army with the foregoing
incomplete line.5
To the Southern cavalry, under command of Major General Joseph Wheeler,
was given the task of cutting the communications of the Northern army with its
depot in Bridgeport on the northern side of the river and the destruction of the
railway beyond that point.6 The Northern cavalry held the northern bank of
the Tennessee River from Washington to Caperton's Ferry (near Stevenson) to
protect the trains passing from Bridgeport to Chattanooga. 7
On September 30 General Wheeler, with some 4500 of his Southern cavalry
and 12 guns, crossed the river near Washington and made for the Northern line
of communications.s As soon as the fact became known, General Rosecrans
gave orders to General Crook to pursue and to Colonel McCook to march from
Bridgeport to Anderson's Crossroads.9
On October 2 Wheeler, moving via Pikeville, intercepted and partially destroyed
a train of ammunition and supply wagons near Anderson's Crossroads. lo
Colonel McCook, upon the receipt of his orders, gave instructions to his
second brigade to join him at Jasper. ll He then started with the First Wisconsin,
the Second and Fourth Indiana Regiments, and a section of artillery.I2 Rain
delayed the marching. I3
On October 2 McCook, as he approached Anderson's, saw smoke and, later
burning wagons. 14 He advanced, encountered a portion of Wheeler's troopers,
and then charged with the First Wisconsin and Second Indiana Regiments and
drove the enemy past the burning wagons and upon the main body, which was
one mile north of the crossroads, in line of battle. These two regiments dislodged
the enemy from successive positions and pursued for two miles driving
the enemy across the Sequatchie Valley.I5 In this action the saber was freely
used.I6
On October 3 the pursuit was continued to the top of the mountain beyond
Dunlap, where the rear guard was again attacked with successful result. 17
Altogether, McCook captured twelve commissioned officers and ninety-three
enlisted men, and killed seven officers and several enlisted men.IS Three hundred
mules were recaptured and some of the wagons were saved.I9 The enemy
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