trenches. By twelve o'clock M. the pontoon bridges across the
Tennessee and the Chicamauga were laid, and the remainder of
Sherman's forces crossed over, and at half-past three P.M. the
whole of the northern extremity of Missionary Ridge to near the
railroad tunnel was in Sherman's possession. During the night he
fortified the position thus secured, making it equal if not
superior in strength to that held by the enemy.

By three o'clock of the same day, Colonel Long with his brigade
of cavalry of Thomas' army, crossed to the south side of the
Tennessee, and to the north of South Chicamauga Creek and made a
raid on the enemy's lines of communications. He burned Tyner's
station, with many stores, cut the railroad at Cleveland,
captured near a hundred wagons, and over two hundred prisoners.
His own loss was small.

Hooker carried out the part assigned him for this day, equal to
the most sanguine expectations. With Geary's division (12th
Corps) and two brigades of Stanley's division (4th Corps) of
Thomas' army, and Osterhaus' division (15th Corps) of Sherman's
army, he scaled the western slope of Lookout Mountain, drove the
enemy from his rifle pits on the northern extremity and slope of
the mountain, capturing many prisoners, without serious loss.

Thomas having done on the 23d, with his troops in Chattanooga,
what was intended for the 24th, bettered and strengthened his
advanced position during the day and pushed the 11th Corps
forward along the south bank of the Tennessee river across Citico
creek, one brigade of which with Howard in person, reached
Sherman just as he had completed the crossing of the river.

When Hooker emerged in sight of the northern extremity of Lookout
Mountain, Carlin's brigade of the 14th Corps was ordered to cross
Chattanooga creek and form a junction with him. This was effected
late in the evening and after considerable fighting.

Thus on the night of the 24th, our forces maintained an unbroken
line with unbroken communications, from the north end of Lookout
Mountain through Chattanooga Valley to the north end of
Missionary Ridge.

On the morning of the 25th, Hooker took possession of the
mountain top with a small force, and with the remainder of his
command in pursuance of orders, swept across Chattanooga