ed. The scene presented by the lurid glare of a while explaining the rifle-pits to me, this mornscore of burning buildings at once, lighting up ing inspire us with marvellous confidence; misthe whole horizon, was as beautiful as it was placed, however, by the poor sergeant, who rehorrible, and only lacked a Nero fiddling from ceived a ball in the face while peering between the court-house to render the analogy complete the logs on the breastworks in search of rebels. of another similar scene of old, equally terrible, The poor fellow recognized me in the hospital, wanton, and useless. Of property, a few more and complained bitterly of a headache. The ball thousands destroyed, a few more families cast entered at the inner canthus of the left eye, and homeless and destitute upon the world, naked was lodged somewhere about the ethmoid bone. and starving. What of it? Some booby officer A headache was not to be wondered at. At misunderstood the order, perhaps. Of course it night, belligerent activity ceases. Our pickets is to be regretted; but where there is so much suspend all animosities, and fraternize in the suffering, we have no room for minor sympathies. most cordial manner. In accordance with comThe domestic drama hides its diminished head pacts, they come together and exchange their rebefore the magnificent horrors of military trage-spective experiences of moving accidents by flood dy. It is war; that is all about it. Who has and field. The Ninth corps and Longstreet's time to think of justice, mercy, right, honor, men are old opponents of Potomac memory, and charity, or even honesty, amid the turmoil of have abundant mutual reminiscences of interest war? All namby-pamby virtues have lost their to exchange. At daylight, however, returning savor. The attainments of peace become flat be- to their posts, the exhibition of a head or hand fore the pungent excitements of war. of either side is but an invitation to a hostile bullet.

son's excellent bonhomie has an inspiriting influence on the men; while the serious air and confident ways of Hascall invigorate as a tonic would. The Tennesseeans are under command of our sprightly, gallant Colonel Casement, of the One Hundred and Third. Behind breastworks they may be relied upon. The Colonel has faith, and is confident, vigilant, and industrious. The destinies of our left are in the hands of Casement and his new men. On the south bank of the Holston, Colonel Cameron's brigade has charge of our interests, aided by Wolford's brigade. Altogether, we feel quite confident to look after our own safety until Bragg and Grant have arranged their little affairs. I hope every thing from the results of that.

Tuesday, Nov. 24.-Skirmishing commenced early and briskly on our left front this morning. General Manson, in command of the ThirtyThe rebs had gained a hill and thrown up rifle-fifth corps, and General Hascall, are indefatigable. pits near the round-house during the night. The One cannot ride along the lines any hour, day or Forty-eighth Pennsylvania and Twenty-first Mas-night, without meeting one or the other. Mansachusetts, during the morning, charged the pits, and driving the rebs out at the point of the bayonet, covered the trenches and returned to their own, with a loss of two killed and four wounded. On our left, for some hours, the fire of the sharp-shooters was quite hot from a house above and the rebel trenches. The Second Michigan charged there also in the most gallant manner, and drove the rebs back; a fierce and bloody engagement ensued, with great loss on both sides, our boys remaining in possession of the works, which they obliterated and fell back. The loss of the Second Michigan was ninety killed, wounded, and missing. Deserters and prisoners bring in the most exaggerated accounts of the numbers and intentions of the enemy, which we sift a little, and believe as much as we Wednesday, Nov. 25. -Skirmishing in our please of what is left. Rumors reach us, through front very light; it was ascertained that the rebs rebel sources, that Bragg is not succeeding so had crossed in considerable force to the south well as they wish. We devoutly hope their bank of the river, and threatened to take position sources of information will prove to be as correct on a hill from which they could enfilade our left as they usually are. We begin to doubt the lines. Cameron sent the Twenty-fourth Kenrebel intention to attack us here at all. We tucky to feel of them, and a sharp contest ensued have at no time doubted our ability to hold our for the possession of the hill. The Twenty-fourth own, however. The starvation business is very Kentucky were unable to hold the ground. The slow, and it will be many weeks ere we come to One Hundred and Third Ohio and Sixty-fifth mule diet. Rations of hard bread were issued to Illinois, sent to reënforce them, finally drove the the men to-day for the first time since we came enemy from the coveted position. Our loss in in, and I understand there is considerable store this affair was sixty killed and wounded. Maton hand. We have also plenty of corn, beef, and ters are now assuming an interesting outlook. pork. Citizens suffer more than the army. No Old scout Reynolds came in this evening from farmers come in, and, of course, no markets. The Kingston, bringing confirmation of Bragg's desutlers closed their stores and packed their goods feat and the assurance of present aid from Grant. on the first intimation of danger. We begin al- Sherman is said to be at Cleveland, Generals Fry most to wish that the enemy would do something and Willcox at Bean's Station, and considerable to break the monotony of which we grow weary, force at Wytheville- from all of which, if true, and there is talk of going out to find them if they Longstreet's position will not prove to be an easy persist much longer in their course of energetic one. His chief care will now be to effect his esinactivity. Captain Poe's "fortified convanien- cape by the North-Carolina mountains as the cies," as an Irish sergeant denominated them only road left open to him.

The dead and wounded were left on the field, and the ghastly horrors were rendered sickening HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO, by the vain cries of hundreds for water and help. IN THE FIELD, November 30, 1963. In full view from the embrasures, the ground The brilliant events of the twenty-ninth inwas covered with dead, wounded, and dying. stant, so successful to our arms, seem to present Forty-eight were heaped up in the ditch before a fitting occasion for the Commanding General to the bastion; thirteen in another place, almost thank this army for their conduct through the within reach of those who, though late their severe experiences of the past seventeen days, to foes, would have willingly heeded their anguish-assure them of the important bearing it has had ed shrieks for water; yet none dare go to their assistance. The humanity of General Burnside was not proof against so direct an appeal, and he at once sent in a flag of truce, offering an armistice until five o'clock P.M., for the purVOL. VIII-Doc. 17

and recently in those near Knoxville, at Loudon, at Campbell's Station, and, finally, around the defences on both sides of the river, while on the march, and in cold and in hunger, they have everywhere shown a spirit which has given to the army of the Ohio a name second to none.

emy.

Here I remained till the last gun had passed, and then followed in the march to Knoxville, reaching there about midnight, and encamped on the ground formerly occupied by General Potter's headquarters. On the morning of the seventeenth, I detailed, by order of General By holding in check a powerful body of the Potter, one captain, one lieutenant, and thirty enemy, they have seriously weakened the rebel men, to patrol the city, and arrest and turn over army under Bragg, which has been completely to their respective division provost-marshals all defeated by General Grant, and, at the latest ac- stragglers from the Ninth army corps; the balcounts, was in full retreat for Dalton, closely pur-ance of the command was under orders to move sued by him, with the loss of six thousand pris- at any moment. About two o'clock P.M., oners, fifty-two pieces of artillery, and twelve stands of colors.

For this great and practical result, toward which the army of the Ohio has done so much, the Commanding General congratulates them, and with the fullest reliance on their patience and courage in the dangers they may yet have to meet, looks forward with confidence, under the blessing of Almighty God, to a successful close of the campaign.

Major-General Burnside.

By command of
LEWIS RICHMOND, A. A. G.

CAPTAIN MONTGOMERY'S REPORT.

FORT SANDERS, KNOXVILLE, TENN., Dec. 5, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this regiment, under my command, since the fourteenth ultimo:

I re

ported, with my command, to headquarters Ninth army corps, in Knoxville, and remained there till next morning, when I was ordered to report to the First brigade, First division, which I immediately did, and was assigned to duty in Fort Sanders, since which my command has constituted the major portion of the garrison.

I detailed, daily, two commissioned officers and forty-five men as a grand reserve for the skirmishers in front of the works. This party were posted on the crest of the hill, about five hundred yards in front of the work, with instructions to hold the position at all hazards, should the enemy attempt to carry it. No casualties occurred while on this duty, and the position was maintained till about half-past eleven o'clock on the night of the twenty-eighth, when the enemy advanced and drove in the skirmishers. Such was the impetuosity of his advance, that he had almost gained the crest occupied by the reserve before they could fire a shot, and they were thus compelled to fall back, only, however, for about fifty yards. Having gained the position which the reserve was thus compelled to relinquish, the enemy was contented for the night; and at five o'clock next morning, (the twenty-ninth,) I sent out, as usual, the detail to relieve the reserve, with the instructions, which I received from General Ferrero, that the position lost on the previous night was to be retaken at all hazards. This was accomplished; but no sooner so, than the enemy again made a demonstration, and, from the velocity of his advance, it was evident he meant to storm; nor was this impression incorrect. It is proper here to state, that my command only consisted of one hundred and fortyfour muskets, and, at the time the enemy made the assault, there were not more than fifty men in the fort. The reserve, which had been relieved, together with the party who relieved them, were soon, however, on hand, and in position in the front. The enemy steadily advanced, and quickly crowded on the ramparts and in the ditch. The fire from the artillery was rendered useless, the enemy having got within range, so that it was left to infantry entirely to defend the fort.

At that date, my command was stationed at Lenoir's Station, on duty at headquarters Ninth army corps. About eight o'clock A.M., I received orders to strike camp and hold myself in readiness to move at a moment's notice. This order was promptly carried out, and, having formed line and stacked arms, waited for further developments. During the early part of the day, the camp of the corps headquarters was struck, and the wagons packed, numerous other calls made on my men to load forage and other Government property on the cars, besides furnishing several guards. My command was thus occupied till early on the morning of the sixteenth, when, at early dawn, I received orders to move and support a section of the Third United States artillery, under command of Lieutenant Bartlett. The roads impassable, and the horses worn out, great physical exertion was required on the part of the men to keep the section in motion. Beyond this, nothing occurred worthy of notice till reaching Campbell's Station, when I was ordered by General Burnside, in person, to take up position under cover, and support a section of Benjamin's battery. I had a good opportunity for doing so, in a defile, between two fences. While in this position, I was called on by order of General Potter, to detail a commissioned officer and twenty men, to take in charge some prisoners; and a like detail, to cover the road leading to Now it was that the often tried mettle of the Knoxville, to arrest and detain all stragglers Highlanders was put to its severest test. Never from their commands; and another, of eighteen were men more cool or determined. Officers and men, to assist in working the guns of Buckley's men alike were fully alive to the position they battery. I had thus under one hundred men were placed in, and how much depended on their available for fighting duty, should my command action. So fierce was the attack, that no less have been called into active contact with the en-than three stands of colors were planted on the

salient of the north-west bastion, the point assailed. Two of these were blown into the ditch by our fire; the other, that of the Fifty-first Georgia regiment, was heroically captured by First Sergeant Francis W. Judge, company K, who, on seeing it, sprang on the ramparts, and seizing it and its bearer, brought them into the fort. From both flanks of the bastion a terrific and deadly fire was poured into the enemy's ranks, and hundreds fell wounded, others to rise no more. The enemy was repulsed and driven from the work, hundreds of prisoners were taken, and hundreds killed and wounded; the carnage was fearful, and cannot be described; the eye dimmed and the heart sickened at the sight.

Every man had forty rounds of ammunition when the assault was made, and I furnished them with twenty additional rounds each while the action was in progress; there could not have been less than fifty rounds per man consumed. Besides the stands of colors captured on the ramparts, my command is entitled to be credited with a large share of the captured arms and accoutrements, with a large number of prisoners.

The casualties were few, wonderfully few, and must be accounted for by the cool and careful manner in which the officers and men moved themselves. Had the officers been less careful, and allowed the men to expose themselves unnecessarily, the consequences might have been fearful. It is pleasing, and it affords me unmingled gratification to be able to record the gallant conduct of every officer and man in the command; I would be doing myself and them an injustice did I fail to do so.

Numerous instances of individual heroism were noticeable, but it would be invidious to mention names when all behaved with so much bravery. I cannot close without paying a tribute to the good conduct and cheerful demeanor of the men, all throughout this trying time, on short rations, and continued duty by night and day. They never complained, but, on the contrary, have performed every duty, and suffered the privation and exposure without a murmur.

Subjoined is a list of casualties.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
WM. S. MONTGOMERY,
Captain Commanding Regiment.

and the best of spirits exist among all classes, citizens and soldiers. Up to last Saturday, an assault has been a matter of dread by many; but since the terrible storming of Fort Sanders on that memorable morning, and its disastrous and bloody results, even assaults have lost their terrors. The rebels seem still to surround us, and their pickets are quite as strong and vigilant as ever, but no demonstration of a serious nature has been made by them since Sunday. We are in the dark as to the rebel movements altogether, and can but theorize upon the little we know. İ confess I am a subscriber to the proposition that places Longstreet in the position of the gentleman who caught the Tartar, having invested, threatened, and besieged Knoxville, in so far as he was able. He is now more anxious concerning a method of escape, and is doubtless straining every nerve to accomplish so desirable a result. Nevertheless, we are told to hold Knoxville at every hazard by a man who seldom gives an order without an object, and thus far we have done so. We could rally from our works and ascertain more of Longstreet, but he might not be so much gone off as we think, and we can af ford no unusual risks; so we watch the pickets day and night, and every time we see a rebel head we shoot at it, and they generally return the compliment. As these memoranda of current events may probably never reach you, and might reach the enemy, I make no details. If no attack is made to-night, Longstreet will have irretrievably lost his opportunity, and should he have procrastinated his departure, will probably be lost himself, since we have tolerably sure evidence that we shall be relieved within thirty-six hours from our present predicament.

Dec. 3. No attack last night. The rebel pickets are still vigilant, but nothing further can be ascertained. We begin to wonder what he means and why he goes not. No news of our reenforcements. One rumor comes to us that Granger had an engagement with the enemy near Clinton, and captured three guns. A deserter reports a battle near Loudon, between our reenforcements and Longstreet. A party of citizens from Sevierville report no appearance of the enemy in that direction. It is rumored to-day that Lee is advancing with the bulk of his armyhaving abandoned Richmond and removed the Twenty-third, private W. J. Coyle, wounded capital to Montgomery. Amid all these rumors in left forearm. Twenty-fourth, Malcolm Sinclair, we are quietly awaiting orders. The desperate head. Twenty-fifth, Lieutenant Charles Watson. straits to which rebeldom is driven by the sumPrivates Henry Pikel, thigh; Pat. Carlin, thigh. mer and fall campaigns, give plausibility to any Sergeants Thomas Denham, killed; Robert Ath-story, however improbable. Should Lee be able erly, killed; privates, John Burgess, killed; Da- to aid Longstreet by any concatenation of militavid Schultz, killed. Sergeant Alfred Luce, wound- ry circumstances, we will, probably, be obliged ed in the head; privates, Robert Paterson, thigh; to make different arrangements. Till then, we Roderick McKenzie, shoulder; James Mitchell, feel quite comfortable in the hope of capturing breast; Wm. Smith, head. Longstreet.

KNOXVILLE, Dec. 2.

Seventeen days of siege. We have no butter, chickens, eggs, vegetables, or other luxuries of that kind, and have only one quarter rations of coffee, but so far we have had plenty of pork, beef, flour, and meal. Every one is confident,

To offset the rumor, we have another quite as likely, if not more plausible, that Willcox is marching from the Gap along the valley into Virginia, to destroy their salt-works and demolish any scattering rebs that may still infest those regions.