Reynolds's division camped as yesterday. The Ninety-second Illinois (mounted infantry) sent on a reconnoissance toward Chattanooga, along the ridge of Lookout Mountain. Corps headquarters moved from Brown's Spring to Easeley's Farm, on Trenton and Lebanon road.

long to Buckner's corps. Buckner's corps consist of eight brigades and two batteries of six guns each, and was in the fight with Negley. They saw a brigade of Forrest's cavalry, commanded by Forrest himself, pass toward the fight on the eleventh. Miles's and Buckner's corps were both September 10.-General Negley's division, in engaged. Bragg's army is concentrated at La front of or one mile west of Dug Gap, which has Fayette. Headquarters moved by way of Coopbeen heavily obstructed by the enemy and occu-er's Gap to the foot of the mountain. pied by a strong picket-line. General Baird or- September 14.-General Reynolds took up a dered to move up to-night to Negley's support. position at Pond Spring with his two infantry General Reynolds to move at daylight to support brigades, and was joined by Wilder at that place. Baird's left, and General Brannan to move at eight Turchin, of Reynolds's division, made a reconA.M. to-morrow morning to support Reynolds. noissance to the mouth of Catlett's Gap, with Headquarters of General Reynolds's division the Ninety-second Illinois mounted infantry; was camped for the night at foot of the mountain. opposed by rebel mounted pickets from ChickaBrannan's division at Easeley's. mauga Creek to the mouth of Catlett's Gap, at which place he found their reserve drawn up, also a strong line of skirmishers to the right of the road; but, having received instructions to avoid bringing on an engagement, he retired to camp with the regiment. General Brannan advanced one brigade of his division to Chickamauga Creek, east of Lee's Mills, one mile to the Spring. A mounted reconnoissance was also pushed forward to within a mile. of Blue Bird Gap, without encountering any of the enemy. A negro, who had been taken before General Buckner, yesterday, and released again, reports that Buckner and his corps are in Catlett's Gap, preparing to defend that place. A negro woman, lately from the neighborhood of Dug Gap, reports a large force of rebels between Dug Gap and La Fayette.

September 11.-Baird's division closed up on Negley's at Widow Davis's house, about eight A.M. Soon afterward, Negley, being satisfied from his own observations and from the reports of officers sent out to reconnoitre, and also from loyal citizens, that the enemy was advancing on him in very superior force, and that his train was in imminent danger of being cut off if he accepted bat-right and south of Reynolds's position at Pond tle at Davis's Cross-Roads, determined to fall back to a strong position in front of Stevens's Gap. This movement he immediately proceeded to put into execution, and by his untiring energy and skill, and with the prompt coöperation of Baird, succeeded in gaining possession of the hills in front of Stevens's Gap, and securing his trains without losing a single wagon. For a detailed account of this movement see reports of Generals Negley and Baird, annexed, marked A and B. General Turchin, commanding Third brigade of Reynolds's division, was pushed forward, by way of Cooper's Gap, to Negley's support on the left, reaching his position about ten o'clock P.M. Orders were sent to General Brannan to close up as rapidly as possible. Corps headquarters at the top of Cooper's Gap.

September 12.-Brannan's division reached Negley's position by eight A.M., and took position next on the left, one brigade covering Cooper's Gap. Reports from citizens go to confirm the impression that a large force of the enemy is concentrated at La Fayette. A report from General McCook confirms that fact. A later despatch from the same source says, it is reported that Bragg's whole army, with Johnston's, is at La Fayette. Generals Brannan and Baird, with part of their commands, went out on a reconnoissance toward Dug Gap at one o'clock P.M. to-day. General Brannan reports they advanced two miles beyond Davis's Cross-Roads without finding any enemy, with the exception of a few mounted inen. Corps headquarters encamped at top of Stevens's Gap.

September 13.-Negley's, Baird's and Brannan's divisions remained in their camps of yesterday, awaiting the arrival of McCook's corps, which had been ordered to close to the left. Reynolds concentrated his division on the road from Cooper's Gap to Catlett's Gap. Two deserters from the Eighteenth Tennessee state that they be

September 16.-Corps headquarters, and First and Second divisions, remain camped as last reported at foot of Stevens's Gap. Turchin's brigade of Reynolds's division, made a reconnoissance toward Catlett's Gap. The enemy fell back as he advanced, until he came upon a force strongly posted, with two pieces of artillery, in the roads. He made a second reconnoisance at two P.M. that day, with but little further result, as he could advance but a short distance further, the enemy being in force in his front.

September 17.-First, Second, and Third divisions changed their position from their camp yesterday: First division, with its right resting at Gower's Ford, and extending along Chickamauga Creek to Bird's Mill; Second division, with its right at Bird's Mill and its left connecting with Van Cleve's division, at Owen's Ford; Third division, on the right of the First, covering four fords between Gower's Ford and Pond Spring. One brigade of the Fourth division, thrown out in front of Pond Spring, on the Catlett's Gap road, covering the pass through the mountain; Wilder's brigade detached and ordered to report to department headquarters. The left of McCook's corps closed in, connecting with our right, near Pond Spring.

September 18.-At four P.M. the whole corps moved to the left along Chickamauga Creek to Crawfish Springs. On arriving at that place, I received orders to march on the cross-road lead

ing by the Widow Glenn's to the Chattanooga halted for the purpose of readjusting line, and and La Fayette road, and take up a position near learning from prisoners that the enemy were in Kelley's farm, on the La Fayette road, connect- heavy force on his immediate right, he threw back ing with Crittenden on my right at Gordon's his right wing in order to be ready for an attack Mill. The head of the column reached Kelley's from that quarter. Before his disposition could farm about daylight on the nineteenth, Baird's be completed, the enemy in overwhelming numdivision in front, and took up a position at the bers assaulted Scribner's and King's brigades and forks of the road, facing toward Reid's and Alex- drove them in disorder. Fortunately, at this ander's bridges over the Chickamauga. Colonel time, Johnson's division of McCook's corps, and Wilder, having informed me that the enemy had Reynolds's division of my corps, arrived, and were crossed the Chickamauga at those two bridges immediately placed in position, Johnson's precedin force the evening before, and driven his bri- ing Reynolds's, his left connecting with Baird's gade across the State road to the heights on the right, and Palmer's being immediately placed on east of the Widow Glenn's house, this position Johnson's right. Reynolds was placed on the of Baird's threw my right into close proximity right of Palmer, with one brigade of his division to Wilder's brigade. The interval I intended to in reserve. As soon as formed, they advanced fill with the two remaining brigades of Rey-upon the enemy, attacking him in flank and drivnolds's division on their arrival. General Bran- ing him in great confusion for a mile and a half, nan, closely following Baird's division, was placed while Brannan's troops shot them in front as they in position on his left, on the two roads leading were pursuing Baird's retiring brigades, driving from the State road to Reid's and Alexander's the head of their columns back and retaking the bridges. artillery, which had been temporarily lost by Colonel Dan McCook, commanding a brigade Baird's brigades. The enemy at this time being of the reserve corps, met me at General Baird's hardly pressed by Johnson's, Palmer's, and Reyheadquarters, and reported that he had been sta-nold's divisions in flank, fell back in confusion tioned the previous night on the road leading to Reid's Bridge, and that he could discover no force of the enemy except one brigade, which had crossed to the west side of Chickamauga at Reid's Bridge the day before, and he believed it could be cut off, because he had destroyed the bridge after they had crossed. Upon this information I ordered General Brannan to post a brigade within supporting distance of Baird, on the road to Alexander's Bridge, and with his other This was about four P.M. After a lull of about two brigades to reconnoitre the road leading to an hour a furious attack was made on Reynolds's Reid's Bridge, to see if he could locate the bri- right, and he having called upon me for reënforcegade reported by Dan McCook, and if a favorable ments, I directed Brannan's division to move to opportunity occurred, to capture them. His dis-his support, leaving King's brigade of Baird's dipositions were made according to instructions by vision in the position at which Baird and Brannan nine A.M. Gen. Baird was directed to throw for- had been posted, the balance of Baird's division ward his right wing so as to get more nearly in closing up to the right on Johnson's division. It line with Brannan, but to watch well on his right will be seen, by reference to Major-General Reyflank. Soon after this disposition of these two nolds's report, that a portion of Brannan's dividivisions, a portion of General Palmer's division sion reached his right just in time to defeat the of Crittenden's corps took position to the right enemy's efforts to turn Reynolds's right and rear. of General Baird's division. About ten A.M. About five P.M., my lines being at that time very Croxton's brigade of Brannan's division became much extended in pursuing the enemy, I deterengaged with the enemy, and I rode forward to mined to concentrate them on more commanding his position to ascertain the character of the at-ground, as I felt confident that we should have a tack. Colonel Croxton reported to me that he had driven the enemy nearly half a mile, but that he was then meeting with obstinate resistance. I then rode back to Baird's division and directed him to advance to Croxton's support, which he did with his whole division, Starkweather's brigade in reserve, and drove the enemy steadily before him for some distance, taking many pris

oners.

Croxton's brigade, which had been heavily engaged over an hour with greatly superior numbers of the enemy, and being nearly exhausted of ammunition, was then moved to the rear to enable the men to fill their boxes, and Baird and Brannan having united their forces drove the enemy from their immediate front. General Baird then

on his reserves, posted in a strong position on the west side of Chickamauga Creek, between Reid's and Alexander's bridges. Brannan and Baird were then ordered to reorganize their commands and take position on commanding ground on the road from McDaniel's house to Reid's Bridge and hold it to the last extremity, as I expected the next effort of the enemy would be to gain that road and our rear.

renewal of the battle the next morning. I rode forward to General Johnson's position and designated to him where to place his division; also to General Baird, who was present with General Johnson. I then rode back to the cross-roads to locate Palmer and Reynolds on the prolongation of Johnson's line, and on the crest of the ridge. Soon after Palmer and Reynolds got their positions, and while General Brannan was getting in his position on the ridge to the west of the State road, near Dyer's house, to the rear and right of Reynolds, where I had ordered him as a reserve, the enemy assaulted first Johnson and then Baird in a most furious manner, producing some confusion; but order was soon restored, and the enemy repulsed in fine style, after which these

two divisions took up the positions assigned them ness, which was continued at least two hours, for the night. Before adjusting the line satisfac-making assault after assault with fresh troops, torily, I received an order to report at head- which were met by my troops with a most dequarters, and was absent from my command until near midnight.

To prevent a repetition of this attack on the part of the enemy, I directed Captain Gaw, my chief topographical officer, to go to the commanding officer of these troops and direct him to mass as much artillery on the slopes of Missionary Ridge, directly west of the State road, as he could conveniently spare from his lines, supported strongly by infantry, so as to sweep the ground to the left and rear of Baird's position. This order General Negley mentions in his report having I sent my aid, Captain Kellogg, to notify Genereceived from Captain Gaw, but from his description of the position he assumed he must have misunderstood my order, and instead of massing the artillery near Baird's left, it was. posted on the right of Brannan's division, nearly in the rear of Reynolds's right.

ral Reynolds that our right had been turned, and that the enemy was in his rear in force. General Wood barely had time to dispose his troops on the left of Brannan before another of those fierce assaults, similar to those made in the morning on my lines, was made on him and Brannan At the same time the assault just described combined, and kept up by the enemy throwing was made on Baird, the enemy attacked John- in fresh troops as fast as those in their front son and Palmer and Reynolds with equal fierce-were driven back, until near nightfall.

About the time that Wood took up his position, General Gordon Granger appeared on my left flank at the head of Steedman's division of

large rebel force in these woods drawn up in line and advancing toward me. Just at this time I saw the head of Reynolds's column approaching, and calling to the General himself, directed him to change the head of his column to the left, and form line perpendicular to the State road, his right resting on that road, and to charge the enemy, who were then in his immediate front. This movement was made with the utmost promptitude, and facing to the right while on the march. Turchin threw his brigade upon the rebel force,

his corps. I immediately despatched a staff-officer to him, with orders to push forward and take position on Brannan's right, which order was complied with with the greatest promptness and alacrity, Steedman moving his troops into position with almost as much precision as if on drill, and fighting his way to the crest of the hill on Brannan's right, moved forward his artillery, driving the enemy down the southern slope, in-routing them and driving them in utter confusion flicting on him a most terrible loss in killed and entirely beyond Baird's left. In this splendid wounded. This opportune arrival of fresh troops advance more than two hundred prisoners were revived the flagging spirits of our men on the captured and sent to the rear. Colonel Robinright, and inspired them with more ardor for son, commanding Second brigade, Reynolds's dithe contest. Every assault of the enemy from vision, followed closely upon Turchin, and I that time until nightfall was repulsed in the most posted him on the road leading through the ridge gallant style by the whole line. By this time to hold the ground while the troops on our right the ammunition in the boxes of the men was re- and left passed by. In a few moments. General duced on an average to two or three rounds per Willich, commanding a brigade of Johnson's diviman, and my ammunition-trains having been un- sion, reported to me that his brigade was in pofortunately ordered to the rear by some unauthor- sition on a commanding piece of ground to the ized person, we should have been entirely with-right of the ridge road. I directed him to report out ammunition in a very short time had not a to General Reynolds and assist in recovering the small supply come up with General Steedman's retirement of our troops. Turchin's brigade, command. This being distributed among the after driving the enemy a mile and a half, was retroops, gave them about ten rounds per man. assembled and took its position on the ridge road with Robinson and Willich.

General Garfield, Chief of Staff of General Rosecrans, reached this position about four P.M., in company with Colonel Houston, of McCook's staff, and Captains Gaw and Barker, of my staff, giving me the first reliable information that the centre and right of our army had been driven. Soon after I received General Rosecrans's despatch from Chattanooga, directing me to assume command of all the forces, and, with Crittenden and McCook, take a strong position and assume a threatening attitude at Rossville, sending the unorganized forces to Chattanooga for reörganization, stating that he would examine the ground at Chattanooga and make all necessary dispositions for defence and then join me; also that he had sent out rations and ammunition to meet me at Rossville. I determined to hold the position until nightfall, if possible—in the mean time sending Captains Barker and Kellogg to distribute the ammunition, Major Lawrence, my Chief of Artillery, having been previously sent to notify the different commanders that ammunition would be supplied to them shortly. As soon as they had reported the distribution of the ammunition, I directed Captain Willard to inform the division commanders on the left to withdraw their commands as soon as they received orders. At half-past five P.M. Captain Barker, commanding my escort, was sent to notify General Reynolds to commence the movement, and I left the position behind General Wood's command to About ten A.M. on the twenty-first, receiving a meet Reynolds and point out to him the position message from Minty that the enemy were adwhere I wished him to form line to cover the re-vancing on him with a large force of infantry and tirement of the other troops on the left. In cavalry, I directed him to retire through the passing through an open woods, bordering the Gap, and post his command on our left flank, State road, and between my last and Reynolds's and throw out strong reconnoitring parties across position, I was cautioned by a couple of soldiers the ridge, to observe and report any movements who had been to hunt water, that there was a of the enemy on our left front. From informa

These dispositions being made, I sent orders to Generals Wood, Brannan, and Granger to withdraw from their positions. Johnson's and Baird's divisions were attacked at the moment of retiring, but by being prepared retired without confusion or any serious losses. I then proceeded to Rossville, accompanied by Generals Granger and Garfield, and immediately prepared to place the troops in position at that point. One brigade of Negley's division was posted in the Gap on the Ringgold road and two brigades on the top of the ridge to the right of the road, adjoining the brigades in the road; Reynolds's division on the right of Negley's, and reaching to the Dry Valley road; Brannan's division in the rear of Reynolds's right as a reserve; McCook's corps on the right of Dry Valley road and stretching to the west, his right reaching nearly to Chattanooga Creek. Crittenden's entire corps was posted on the heights to the left of the Ringgold road, with Steedman's division of Granger's corps as a reserve behind his left, Baird's division in reserve and in supporting distance of the brigade in the Gap. McCook's brigade of Granger's corps was also posted as a reserve to the brigades of Negley's on the ridge to the right of the road. Minty's brigade of cavalry was on the . Ringgold road about one mile and a half in advance of the Gap.

August, 1863, until the occupation of Chattanooga by the army of the Cumberland:

At four A.M., August twenty-ninth, the pontoons were ready for the construction of the bridge. Keys's brigade of Davis's division of this corps was placed in the boats and crossed to the opposite bank to cover the construction, to drive away the enemy's pickets, and to seize the heights of Sand Mountain. This duty was well performed, and the bridges completed at fifteen minutes past nine P.M. Carlin's brigade, assisted by one hundred officers and men of the Pioneer corps, guarded the bridge.

tion received from citizens, I was convinced that the position was untenable in the face of such odds as we had opposed to us, as the enemy could easily concentrate on our right flank, which, if driven, would expose our centre or left to be cut entirely off from our communications. I therefore advised the General Commanding to concentrate the troops at Chattanooga. About the time I made the suggestion to withdraw, the enemy made a demonstration on the direct road, but were soon repulsed. In anticipation of this order to concentrate at Chattanooga, I sent for the corps commanders, and gave them such general instructions as would enable them to August thirtieth, General Davis crossed his reprepare their commands for making the move-maining brigades, concentrating them at the foot ment without confusion. All wagons, ambu- of Sand Mountain.

lances and surplus artillery carriages were sent Johnson's division, stationed at Bellefonte, to the rear before night. The order for the with- Alabama, marched to the ford at Crow Creek, drawal being received about six P.M. the move- and Davis's entire division encamped on the ment commenced about nine P.M., in the follow-night of the thirtieth on the top of Sand Mounting manner: ain.

Strong skirmish lines, under the direction of judicious officers, were thrown out to the front of each division, to cover their movement, with direction to retire at daylight, deployed and in supporting distance, the whole to be supported by the First division, Fourteenth army corps, assisted by Minty's brigade of cavalry, which was to follow after the skirmishers. Crittenden's corps was to move from the hills to the left of the road at nine P.M., followed by Steedman's division; next Negley's division was to withdraw at ten P.M., then Reynolds's after. Reynolds's and McCook's corps, by division, left to right, moving within supporting distance, one after the other. Brannan's division was posted at six A.M. on the road about half-way between Rossville and Chattanooga, to cover the movement. The troops were withdrawn in a quiet orderly manner, without the loss of a single man, and by seven A.M. of the twenty-second, were in the position in front of Chattanooga, which had been assigned to them previous to their arrival, and which they now occupy, covered by strong intrenchments, thrown up on the day of our arrival, and strengthened from day to day until they were considered sufficiently strong for all defensive purposes. It affords me great pleasure to refer to the reports of the various division and brigade commanders for the names of those distinguished for bravery and good conduct.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. H. THOMAS,
Major-General U. S. A. Commanding.

Brig.-Gen. J. A. GARFIELD,
Chief of Staff Department of the Cumberland.

REPORT OF MAJOR-GENERAL MCCOOK.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS, CHATTANOOGA, October 1, 1863. Brigadier-General J. A. Garfield, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following detailed account of the operations of the Twentieth army corps, from the date of constructing the pontoon-bridge over the Tennessee River, at Culperton's Ferry, on the twenty-seventh of

Sheridan's division assisted in building a bridge at Bridgeport, to enable it to cross at that point. His line of march was to Trenton, Georgia, thence to Wills's Valley.

August 31.-Johnson's division crossed the river at Culperton's Ferry, and encamped at the foot of Sand Mountain.

September 1.-The headquarters of the corps were at Stevenson, Alabama.

On September second, Davis's division advanced and encamped at the foot of Sand Mountain in Wills's Valley; Johnson's division moved up the mountain, and encamped near the western summit, and Sheridan crossed at Bridgeport, and marched toward Trenton, Georgia.

On September third, Davis encamped in Wills's Valley, and Johnson marched to near the eastern summit of Sand Mountain. The headquarters of the corps were with this division. The First and Second divisions of cavalry passed this point at one P.M.

September 4.-Davis marched to Winston's, at the foot of Lookout Mountain, and seized the pass at that point. Johnson's division marched down Sand Mountain, and camped on the ground vacated by Davis.

Winston's is forty-two miles from Chattanooga, twenty-five from Culperton's Ferry, and forty-eight from Rome, Georgia.

September 5.-General Sheridan reported his command to be encamped a few miles south-west of Trenton, it having been delayed on its march by Negley's wagon-train.

September 6.-Sheridan encamped at Stearn's Mills, twelve miles distant from Winston's.

On September seventh, no movements. September 8.-Johnson's division marched to Long's Springs, on the Trenton road, and two brigades of Davis's division were ordered into Broomtown Valley, to support Stanley's cavalry. On September ninth, Carlin's brigade of Davis's division marched on Alpine, Ga., to support the cavalry. Heg's brigade, of the same division, marched toward Broomtown Valley by way of Wills's Gap.