the summit of the mountain was covered with messages were sent at two o'clock to General sharp-shooters concealed by the overhanging Cruft, division commander; General Granger, cliffs. Attacking them with vigor, we drove them corps commander; and General Thomas, anbefore us. One of the enemy's camps being as-nouncing our success. sailed by General Geary's command lower down the mountain, numbers of them fled toward the summit of the mountain and were captured by this brigade; they did not conceive it possible for a force to advance on the ground my brigade was then covering. Steadily but energetically and firmly advancing, my brigade reached the crest of Lookout's bold projecting slope. Its profile is delineated from beneath against the sky. In good order my bold command now became one line, swung round the crest, the right being the pivot, with the flags of the Fortieth Ohio on the left, and of the Eighth Kentucky on the right, floating free and triumphant. Two vast armies looked upon us with beating hearts. We heard the soul-stirring vivas of our country's friends; responding, boldly we charged upon the rallying columns of the rebels. A portion of General Geary's division meeting over whelming opposition from the rifle-pits in the orchard before reaching the White House, and having no cover, were falling back in considerable disorder; the enemy were also sending Late in the evening, that brave officer, Colonel Grose, arrived with his troops on the crest in the rear of my command, where he took position. The skirmish firing of the enemy along the front was very spirited, occasionally varied by an effort to charge our lines. I directed him to throw forward his regiments to the right to the support of the Ninety-sixth Illinois and Fifty-first Ohio, to enable Colonel Champion to take the Summertown road in order to capture the artillery and rebel forces on the mountain. This he declined to do, and exhibited to me a written order from General Hooker, as follows: HEADQUARTERS GENERAL HOOKER, Brigadier-General Cruft, Commanding Divi sion: Major-General Hooker directs that as soon as the enemy are started our forces pursue to the crest of Lookout slope only, where the lines will be formed. Pursue no further than the rest until further orders. The bridges are to be made perfect after the troops have passed. DANIEL BUTTERFIELD, Major-General and Chief of Staff. reënforcements from the summit of the mountain over a swag or depression in the cliff some three or four thousand yards to our rear on the west side of the mountain. The Eighth Kentucky, This, he said, he was to obey. This order I Colonel Barnes, was halted on the crest of the did not see or know of until after my command ridge with orders to deploy skirmishers to drive had driven the enemy beyond the crest of Lookthe enemy back, and to hold the crest at all haz-out slope, near three quarters of a mile. I was ards from an assault on the rear or flank. This subsequently supported ably, and a portion of was well done. The Ninety-sixth Illinois and my command relieved from skirmish duty on the Fifty-first Ohio were ordered forward to as- the front line during the night by Colonel Grose. sail the rifle-pits in the rear; while the Fortieth The enemy threw grenades or shell over the Ohio, Ninety-ninth Ohio, and Thirty-fifth Indi- cliff, and the fire of their sharp-shooters was so ana assailed them on the flank. These dispo- galling that we must inevitably have lost many sitions were made at more than double-quick men but for a dense cloud that enveloped the time, and my brigade had now passed the right mountain-top about noon, and enshrouded friend of the front line. and foe in its vapory folds. Weary with the forced march of the previous day, and with the fight that had been prolonged all day into the night, wet with the cold drizzling rain that fell on the mountain, yet my command were vigilant and active to maintain the position so fearlessly and boldly won. Boldly the charge was made; the enemy resisted stubbornly; so that a hand-to-hand contest in portions of the intrenchment ensued. The force on my right, under Champion and Wood, swept down between the White House and summit. The other regiments pressed the enemy's flanks, and we drove the rebels with impetuosity along the side and down the mountain, between a quarter and half-mile beyond the White House, over breastworks, ravines, and rocks, and Lookout Mountain was ours. My command pursued them, and, with a portion of General Geary's division, formed and held the advance line-not only against the retiring foe, but against heavy reenforcements of the enemy-until we were partially relieved and reenforced by other troops. This took place near nightfall and after night. In this charge, the Fortieth Ohio, Colonel Taylor, took two pieces of cannon, which have been turned over to the ordnance officer. A little after one o'clock P.M., the General in command of this brigade, with a portion of his staff, had possession of the White House, whence Early on the morning of the twenty-fifth, I called for volunteers from the Eighth Kentucky infantry to scale the cliffs that overhang the crest of the ridge or point and take Lookout Rock. It was not known what force was on its top. Captain Wilson, of company C, Eighth Kentucky infantry; Sergeant H. H. Davis and private William Wilt, of company A; Sergeant Joseph Wagers and James B. Wood, of company B, and private Joseph Bradley, of company I, promptly volunteered for this purpose. It was a bold undertaking. Scaling the cliff, they took possession and unfurled our country's flag where so lately treason had defiantly flaunted her symbol of ruin. This flag was the gift of the loyal women of Estill County, Kentucky. It has been most honorably borne. These men were quickly fol- Colonel Mullen, Lieutenant-Colonel Cummings, lowed by the Eighth Kentucky infantry, led by and Lieutenant-Colonel Wood for bravery and Colonel Barnes, who was reenforced late in the the skilful manner in which they handled their day by the Ninety-sixth Illinois, Colonel Cham-regiments. I also call attention to Major Duffipion leading. They were directed to hold the cy and Major John S. Clark, for gallant conduct. mountain at all hazards. Considerable stores I have not a word of censure for any officer of and munitions of war, with the tents of a large my command, but am highly gratified to have it encampment, fell into our hands. For particu- in my power to say they all discharged their lars, I refer to the report of Colonel Barnes, duty promptly and efficiently. The enlisted who took them in charge. The number of men were quick to obey and execute every order, prisoners taken by this command on Lookout however hazardous to carry out, and in addition is about six hundred, (600.) They were sent to to those already mentioned I add the names of the prison-pound at the rear. John Mosly, Sergeant-Major of the Eighth Kentucky; Duncan, Color-Sergeant of the Ninetyninth Ohio; the Sergeant of the Fortieth Ohio, Jacob Buttle, of company G, and Clark Thornton, of company D, of the same regiment; John Powers, Sergeant-Major of the Thirty-fifth Indiana, as worthy of special observation. I refer to the report of the Provost-Marshal of this brigade for particulars. About eleven o'clock of this day, the Fortieth Ohio, Ninetyninth Ohio, Fifty-first Ohio, and Thirty-fifth Indiana, under my command, advanced by orders in the direction of Rossville, to assault the left of the enemy on Missionary Ridge. At a signal To my staff I call the attention of the General from our centre near Chattanooga, we advanced-in command. We had to dismount and go on Colonel Grose's splendid brigade having the ad- foot in storming Lookout. The transportation vance, my command supporting him. General of orders over its rugged sides in the face of the Cruft was in command to-day of the division. enemy was one of great danger and labor, but The enemy were driven with great impetuosity the energy of my intrepid Acting Adjutant-Genand loss. To prevent Colonel Grose's command eral, Captain J. Rowan Boone; of my untiring from being flanked on the left, two of my regi- aids, Lieutenants Phipps, Peck, and Riley; of ments the Thirty-fifth Indiana, Colonel Mullen, my Provost-Marshal, Lieutenant Pepoom; and and the Fifty-first Ohio, Lieutenant-Colonel of Brigade Inspector, Captain North, enabled Wood-were ordered to the front line on the left me to overcome it all, and, through their assistof the Third brigade. They advanced in fine ance, I was enabled to handle my brigade in the order, and continued fighting gallantly and ef- manner I desired. Not an order was sent that fectually in the front line until the enemy were was not swiftly carried and as swiftly executed. driven from the ridge. That night we slept on I deem it due Warren C. Gallehue, of the EighMissionary Ridge. The next morning, the twenty-fourth Indiana, and William Spears, of the ty-sixth, we marched in pursuit of the routed, Fortieth Ohio, and Joseph Long, orderlies of swiftly-flying foe. Our progress was impeded my staff, to recommend them for promotion for by destroyed bridges and swollen streams. gallantry. That night we bivouacked on the ridge beyond Pea Vine, which divides the waters of East and West-Chickamauga. At day-dawn, the twenty-seventh, the pursuit was continued, and the rear of the enemy overtaken at Ringgold; here the battle of Ringgold (most gallantly maintained by General Österhaus and General Geary) was fought; my command was held in reserve by order from General Hooker. Later in the day on Monday, I detailed the Ninety-ninth Ohio, Lieutenant-Colonel Cummings, to reconnoitre the peak of Taylor's Ridge, to the right of the gorge through which the railroad passes. This was being rapidly done when the enemy were routed and fled." My command destroyed over a mile of railroad, beginning at the depot in Ringgold. The ties were burned and the iron bent. The weather became excessively cold, freezing the ground and little ponds hard. The men were without blankets and overcoats, but not a murmur of dissatisfaction came from them; officers and men were inspired by a loyal enthusiasm that enabled them to beat the enemies of our Government and endure the little hardships of exposure unrepining. I specially commend Colonel Sid. M. Barnes, Colonel Thomas E. Champion, Colonel Taylor, Quartermaster's Lieutenant Igot, though Brigade Quartermaster, offered his services for the expedition, and discharged his thankless fatiguing duty regardless of mud, and was active in obtaining supplies for my men and forage for the animals through the cold freezing nights. The surgeons of the brigade, under control of Dr. Beach, discharged their duties well. Father Coony, Chaplain to the Thirty-fifth Indiana, a most exemplary man, was with us to cheer us, and wait upon the wounded and dying according to the rites of his Church. He came under my personal notice in the fiercest of the fight. The strength of my command in storming Lookout was one hundred and ten commissioned officers and one thousand three hundred and fifty-five enlisted men, making an aggregate of one thousand four hundred and sixty-five actively engaged. My loss in killed is one officer and sixteen enlisted men. Wounded, six officers and fifty-two enlisted men. Two were missing, making an aggregate loss of eighty-two men. See tabular statement herewith appended. Our country, his family, and his friends have to mourn the loss of Major Acton, of the Fortieth Ohio. He was among the best officers in the service. It is a source of great satisfaction to have been instrumental in accomplishing such magnificent and important results with so little loss, and I can only attribute it to the care of that Providence who spread the mantle of his protection over us; and the bold impetuosity of my brave men that bore down, and gave the enemy no time to rally their broken columns. in the front line, and the fourth and fifth were formed in double column in the second line. The second battalion was on picket, and in position to be used as skirmishers. The entire battalion was deployed as such, and at the sound of the bugle, at two P.M., the entire brigade moved forward in exact order, and in two minutes the skirmish line was sharply engaged with that of the enemy, which gave ground after firing their pieces, and no considerable opposition was felt after till we reached their first line of rifle-pits, about one half-mile to the rear of their To the officers and men of General Geary's war-worn division, the heroes around whose brows cluster the unfading laurels of Gettysburgh, we of the Cumberland extend a soldier's greeting and congratulation; they were our companions in storming Lookout, and the best tes-picket-line, where the pickets and their reserves timonial we can give them of our appreciation of their bravery and endurance, is that we thought their valor and conduct worthy of our most energetic emulation. endeavored to check our advance; but, pushing the first battalion, that being immediately in front of their principal force, the work, situated on a rocky hill, was carried in the most handWALKER C. WHITAKER, some manner, capturing nearly the entire regiBrigadier-General Commanding.ment holding it, the Twenty-eighth Alabama infantry, with their colors. BRIGADIER-GENERAL HAZEN'S REPORT. It was not accomplished, however, without serious cost to the Forty-first and Ninety-third Ohio. Major Birch, leading the latter, fell here; also, eleven of his men killed and forty-eight wounded. The Forty-first Ohio lost eleven men killed and fifty-two wounded. A. A. G., Third Division, Fourth Corps, Present: At twelve M., November twenty-third, I received orders to form my brigade near Fort Wood, and hold it in readiness to move in the direction of Mission Ridge (south-easterly) with the remainder of the division on a reconnoissance. The position assigned me was on the right of the front line. The brigade was formed in five battalions, as follows: Colonel Wiley and Lieutenant-Colonel Kimberly, of the same regiment, each had horses killed under them, and Colonel Berry, command This position was actually carried at the point of the bayonet, the enemy being captured behind their work by the men leaping over it. During the last half mile of this advance my right was entirely exposed, and suffered severely from an enfilading fire of the enemy. The night of the twenty-third was employed in strengthening our position by works, and the twenty-fourth was passed without engaging the First Battalion: Colonel Aquilla Wiley, Forty-enemy. first Ohio volunteer infantry, commanding, was composed of the following regiments, namely, Forty-first Ohio, Lieutenant-Colonel R. L. Kimberly, and Ninety-third Ohio, Major Wm. Birch. Second Battalion: Colonel W. W. Berry, Fifth Kentucky volunteer infantry, commanding; of the Fifth Kentucky volunteer infantry, Lieutenant-Cololonel J. L. Trainor, and Sixth Kentucky volunteer infantry, Major R. T. Whitaker. Third Battalion: Lieutenant-Colonel E. B. Langdon, First Ohio volunteer infantry, commanding; of the First Ohio volunteer infantry, Major J. A. Stafford, and Twenty-third Kentucky volunteer infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel James C. Fov. Fourth Battalion: Lieutenant-Colonel James Pickands, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, commanding; of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, Major J. B. Hampson, and Sixth Indiana, Major C. D. Campbell. At about eleven A.M., on the twenty-fifth, I was ordered to advance my skirmish-line sufficiently to develop the enemy's strength behind his main line of breastworks at the foot of Mission Ridge, about one half-mile in our front. This was handsomely done under the immediate command of Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher, Sixth Ohio infantry. In this advance, Major S. C. Erwine, Sixth Ohio infantry, was killed by a shell, and eight or ten others killed and wounded. At about three o'clock P.M., this day, I received orders to move forward with the remainder of the division and take possession of the enemy's works at the foot of Mission Ridge, taking cover behind them, and there to await further orders. The One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio was on picket and used as skirmishers. The other formations of battalions were similar to that on the twenty-third instant; the Sixth Kentucky reporting to Colonel Christopher, and acting with Fifth Battalion: Sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, the fifth battalion, and the Sixth Indiana, acting Lieutenant-Colonel A. C. Christopher, command- with the second; both lines were deployed; the ing. In all, two thousand two hundred and fifty-third and fifth battalions forming the first, and six effective officers and men. the first and second the second line. The first and third battalions were deployed! At the signal the brigade moved forward, and, country. Colonel Aquila Wiley, Forty-first Ohio, commanding First battalion, was shot through the leg, making amputation necessary. simultaneously, a fire from at least fifty pieces engagement merits the highest praise of the of artillery, from the crest of Mission Ridge, was poured upon us. We moved in good order, at a rapid step, under this appalling fire, to the enemy's works, which were situated about three hundred yards below, and toward Chattanooga, from the crest of the ridge, the enemy fleeing from these works at our approach. The command, on reaching the enemy's works at the foot of the hill, covered itself, as ordered, on the reverse side as best it could, but very imperfectly, being so near and so much below the crest of the ridge. The musketry fire from the crest was now telling severely upon us, and the crest presenting its concavity toward us, we were completely enfiladed by artillery from both flanks. The position was a singular one, and can only be well understood by those who occupied it. The command had executed its orders, and to remain there till new ones could be sent would be destruction: to fall back would not only be so, but would entail disgrace. On commencing the advance, the thought of storming Mission Ridge had not entered the mind of any one, but now the necessity was apparent to every soldier of the command. Giving the men about five minutes to breathe, and receiving no orders, I gave the word forward, which was eagerly obeyed. The forces of General Willich, on my left, had commenced the movement somewhat in my advance, and those of Major-General Sheridan, on my right, were a considerable distance in my rear. There were in my front the troops of General Breckinridge, forming the left of the enemy's centre. Not much regard to lines could be observed, but the strong men, commanders, and color- | bearers took the lead, in each case forming the apex of a triangular column of men. These advanced slowly, but confidently; no amount of fire from the crest checking them. Lieutenant-Colonel Langdon, of the First Ohio, gaining a position where the conformation of the hill gave cover, till within three yards of the crest, formed several hundred men there, checking the head for that purpose; then giving the command, the column broke over the crest, the enemy fleeing. These were the first men of the entire army on the hill, and my command moving up with a shout, their entire front was handsomely carried. The troops on my immediate left were still held in check, and those on my right not more than half-way up the hill, and were being successfully held back. Hurrying my men to the right and left along the crest, I was enabled to take the enemy in flank and reverse, and, by vigorously using the artillery captured there, I soon relieved my neighbors and carried the crest within a few hundred yards of Bragg's headquarters; he himself escaping by flight, being at one time near my right, encouraging the troops that had checked Sheridan's left. The heroism of the entire command in this The loss to the service of this officer cannot be properly estimated. He was always prompt and thorough, and possessed capacity and knowledge of his duties that never left him at fault. I know no officer of equal efficiency in the volunteer service, and none whose past services entitle them to better reward. The services and losses of his battalion, composed of the Forty-first and Ninety-third Ohio infantry, also stand conspicuous. Lieutenant-Colonel Langdon, First Ohio infantry, commanding Third battalion, was shot through the face just as he had reached the crest of the hill, and, after lying prostrate from the wound, again moved forward cheering his men. The services of this officer, in first gaining the crest, should be rewarded by promotion to the grade of brigadier-general. He has previously commanded a brigade with efficiency. Colonel Berry, Fifth Kentucky infantry, was again wounded, just as he had reached the crest at the head of his battalion, being the third received in these operations. He, however, did not leave the field. A like promotion, in his case, would be not only fitting but beneficial to the service. On the fall of Colonel Wiley, Lieutenant-Colonel Kimberly, Forty-first Ohio, assumed command of the First battalion, and, through the remainder of the engagement, fought it with his usual rare ability. Lieutenant-Colonels Christopher, Sixth Ohio infantry, and Pickands, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio, commanding battalions, rendered valuable and meritorious service. I have also to mention Corporal G. A. Kramer, company I, Forty-first Ohio, for his gal lantry, in turning upon the enemy the first gun on the ridge, which he discharged by firing his musket over the vent. The same man, alone, ordered and received the surrender of twenty men with the colors of the Twenty-eighth AIabama on the twenty-third instant. Sergeant D. L. Sutphin, company D, Ninetythird Ohio, on reaching the crest, captured a stand of colors in the hands of its bearer. Corporal Angelbeck, company I, Forty-first Ohio, seeing a caisson filled with ammunition already on fire with two wounded horses attached to it, cut them loose and ran the burning carriage down the hill before it exploded. The colors of the First Ohio, the first on the hill, were carried, while ascending it, at different times, by the following men and officers: Corporal John Emery, company I, wounded. The foregoing are but a few of the many in stances of heroism displayed on this occasion deserving especial mention: Major William Birch, Ninety-third Ohio, and Major S. C. Erwine, Sixth Ohio infantry, who fell while leading their men, were soldiers of rare efficiency, and their loss will be severely felt by the service and lamented by their friends. My entire staff, as has always been the case in the numerous battles in which they have been engaged, conducted themselves with the greatest bravery and usefulness. In summing up the operations of the twenty-third and twenty-fifth, I have to report the capture of three hundred and eighty-two prisoners, besides a large number of wounded, of two stands of colors, of eighteen pieces of artillery, with their appendages, six hundred and fifty stand of small arms, a considerable quantity of clothing, camp, and garrison equipage, and eleven loaded wagons. Forty-nine of the enemy, including one colonel, were buried by my parties. Attention is called to reports of battalion commanders accompanying this paper. My entire casualties are as follows: HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION, SOLDIERS: Your General congratulates you upon the immortal deeds of the twenty-fifth. The enemy had fortified a position deemed impregnable by nature. You assaulted it; your colors were first on the heights. You hurled the enemy, terror-stricken by the heroic daring of your attack, from his stronghold, and eighteen pieces of artillery, two stands of colors, with numerous prisoners and small arms, are your trophies. Where can the enemy stand before your invincible ranks? For your noble dead, a nation will weep; but let us, who knew them as worthy to stand with the noblest, remember that in a thousand battles a prouder death could not have fallen to their lot. W. B. HAZEN, Brigadier-General. COLONEL BERRY'S REPORT. CAPTAIN: I respectfully submit the following report of the operations of my command from the twenty-third of November to the seventh instant, inclusive. Being on picket in front of Chattanooga at two P.M., November twenty-third, I received orders to deploy my entire command, consisting of the Fifth and Sixth Kentucky volunteer infantry, as skirmishers. This done, the "Forward" was sounded, and the line advanced with great regularity. The enemy's pickets fell back rapidly on their reserves, which were strongly posted behind rifle-pits, on the crests of a series of knobs, some of which were timbered, others bare. At but one point along the line was the opposition strong enough to check the skirmishline, and this was but momentary, as the Ninetythird and Forty-first Ohio regiments came up in fine order, and the whole line went over the works, capturing the principal portion of the enemy's forces in them-flags, guns, accoutrements, and all. In this affair, Captain J. P. Hurley, one of my best officers, fell mortally wounded. He died next day. The service could not have met with a heavier loss in the death of a single individual. Major Whitaker, Sixth Kentucky, held his portion of the line fully up to the works. We held the position thus taken till the afternoon of the twenty-fifth, when I received orders to consolidate the Fifth Kentucky regiment with the Sixth Indiana volunteers, and be prepared to advance on the enemy at once. The position assigned me in the brigade was on the left of the second line. There was to be an interval of four hundred yards between the lines. At the proper time I advanced, and reached the enemy's second line of works a few moments after the first line of battle had occupied them. This was the extent of my orders. But hearing Lieutenant-Colonel Langdon, commanding that portion of the first line in my front, order it forward, I advanced simultaneously. In a little while, the lines became mingled, the strong men of each regiment outstripping the weaker in climbing the steep acclivity, and thus the heights of Mission Ridge were carried, and eighteen pieces of artillery captured, with, I believe, the entire force of the enemy in our front. Again I have to regret the loss of a capital officer, Captain Wilson, killed half-way up the ridge. Young, will never forget the sacrifice there made. earnest, and brave, his country and comrades The guns captured were immediately turned The rebel cannoneers good-naturedly assisted in upon the enemy in General Sheridan's front. this artillery practice, which to us was novel business. Kentuky, and Major Campbell, Sixth Indiana, Lieutenant-Colonel Treanor, Fifth merit the highest commendation for the energy and coolness with which they organized a body of men from all the regiments, and threatened to cut off the enemy to our right, thus relieving General Sheridan from a most determined opposition. The officers and men of my command cannot be awarded too great honor for their heroic conduct in this, the most fiery ordeal of the war. The whole thing was more a matter of individuals than of organization, and consequent |