In moving 1over themountainsRosecransgreatly ex-tends hisfront.

Chickamauga 261

Bragg’s attention was absorbed in the oppositedirection. Accordingly, as soon as therailroad to Stevenson was in thoroughrepair, and a sufficiency of supplies ac-cumulated there, Rosecrans crossed theCumberland Mountains and descendedinto the valley of the Tennessee river.

The more effectually to hoodwink Bragg, he kepthis left wing thrown out so as to menace Chatta­ nooga from the north ; and on the 20th of Augusthe began shelling the town from across the river.His front extended from opposite Harrison, tenmiles above Chattanooga , to Bellefonte, fifty milesbelow, too great a distance for his numbers tocover. Between the 29th of August and the 4thof September, still keeping up his demonstrationson the left, Rosecrans moved the great bulk of hisarmy across the river and began his march overRaccoon Mountain. The left wing, under Critten-den, took position at Wauhatchie, a railway stationin Lookout valley; the centre, under Thomas,crossed to Trenton; the right wing, under McCook,crossed from Stevenson and Bellefonte to ValleyHead, whence cavalry demonstrations were madeas far as Alpine. These movements were com-pleted by the 8th of September. When Bragg firstbegan to hear of them he was incredulous, but atlength, on the 7th and 8th of September, taking