November 27, 1863, The New York Herald
The official despatches of Generals Grant and Thomas confirm all the glorious story of the three days’ battles at Chattanooga. Lookout Mountain, the rifle pits in Chattanooga valley and the whole of Missionary Ridge are now in possession of our troops; while General Bragg is in hasty retreat towards Dalton, Georgia, closely pursued by Hooker and Sherman, who were following hard on his footsteps yesterday evening and harassing him terribly. The enemy are burning the bridges after them, to retard pursuit. They are also burning their depots and abandoning or destroying everything that will embarrass their flight. The reports received at the War Department represent that three thousand prisoners were captured from the rebels yesterday, with fifty-two cannon, five thousand stand of small arms and ten flags. Other reports put the number of prisoners up to last night at six thousand. Desertions and captures are thinning out Bragg’s army as they fly. Prisoners report the rebel army terribly demoralized, and incapable of offering serious resistance; and also that Bragg will fall back to Atlanta if not cut off. It is said that the rebel government has two million bales of cotton stores at the latter place, which would prove quite a prize for General Grant. We give a map of the scene of the late battles in another part of the paper.
The latest news from General Burnside reports him perfectly safe, and about to be reinforced. No doubt the victories at Chattanooga will relieve him from his precarious situation.
Stirring news from the Potomac. The whole army is on the move since yesterday morning. The roads are in fine condition, the weather clear and cold, and the men in splendid spirits. The rebel line extends on the south side of the Rapidan from White Ford to Mile run. The strength of Leearmy is reported at 36,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry. A battle is looked for at Germania Ford. Jeff. Davis reviewed the corps of General Hill and General Ewell within the last two days. General Early is in temporary command of Ewell’s corps. The latter officer is reported to have died recently after a protracted sickness. The army of General Meade commenced its march at eight o’clock in the morning, and presented a magnificent spectacle in the bright sun of a November day.