the Fourth Corps. Together with these troops we were massed and screened from the sight of the mountain, behind one of the series of knobs that lie adjacent to the creek, until the pioneers and some details succeeded in constructing a foot-bridge over the stream. This was soon done without resistance from the enemy, and at 9 a. m. my regiment was crossing the creek following the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers that preceded us, and followed by the Third Brigade of our division, the Sixtieth New York joining us. We continued marching by the flank until we had gained about twothirds of the slope of the mountain, halted, fronted, dressed and threw a strong skirmish line to cover the front, and awaited the order of the general commanding to move forward. The front line was soon over, and the reserve (General Whitaker's) well on its way, when the order was brought to move forward. Our skirmishers soon became engaged with the opposing ones and pressed them back, not being detained a moment. We continued to move in line, excepting two short halts for breathing spells, until we approached and could get a glimpse of the point of the mountain. The line now moved so that the right of the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, the right, should crown the main spur just below the peak. The enemy were now pouring a sharp fire from the cover of every rock, but with cheers the line moved steadily on, capturing and sending to the rear, without escort, many prisoners.

The position of the One hundred and eleventh, in conjunction with the Twenty-ninth in the line, was such that our advance continually turned the intrenchments of the enemy, while the regiments on our left charged to their very teeth. As we crowned the north ridge, immediately under the point of the mountain, we saw the enemy ly ing in their intrenchments below us, and the troops of the Third Brigade rushing forward with the bayonet. We fired but few shots here, as our superior position and the steel of our troops was too much for the enemy, and they either surrendered or fled. At 12 noon, in conjunction with the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, we were in line from the point of the mountain, down the main spur; from this position we faced to the right and filed left, close around the cliffs, going to the east side. We here fronted, occupying the highest available part of the slope, and remained until relieved at about 10 p. m. by fresh troops. We bivouacked (after supplying ourselves with 100 rounds of cartridges to the man) in the old camp of the enemy.

Early on the morning of the 25th, we were moved out by the left, the Twenty-ninth following, and posted on the west slope of the mountain, the left resting against the cliffs to guard against any approach along this side of the mountain. We left this position about 12 m. Marched down the east slope of the mountain and aross the valley to Missionary Ridge, and, turning to the left, kept down the ridge for some distance, moving in column doubled on the center, until ordered up the slope. Before reaching the summit the enemy had fled or been captured.

We now bivouacked at the foot of the hill, and about 10.15 a. m. of the 26th, started on the road to Ringgold. We marched this day without provision, and at night reached Pigeon Ridge, where we bivouacked.

We were under arms at daylight and started again hungry on our way (the supply trains not having come up), and reached the town of Ringgold about 11 a. m., and were ordered into line in the old corn

field on the right front of the depot, where we laid, submitting without return shots to the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters concealed in the forest that lined the slope of Taylor's Ridge, on which they were posted. We remained here until the heights were carried on the left, when my regiment was moved forward to hold the gap.

On the morning of the 28th, I reported to the commanding officer of the Third Brigade, who was sent with additional troops to occupy the ridge and gaps. The sturdy valor and uncomplaining endurance of my men suffering from hunger and severe cold, is only another exhibition of the pluck of the American volunteer. I append a list of casualties.*

Most respectfully, your obedient servant, THOS. M. WALKER, Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. 111th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Capt. JOHN P. GREEN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

No. 123.

Report of Col. David Ireland, One hundred and thirty-seventh New York Infantry, commanding Third Brigade.

HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., SECOND DIV., 12TH ARMY CORPS,

Wauhatchie, Tenn., December 5, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following as the report of the part taken by this brigade during the operations from November 24 to November 29, 1863, inclusive:

In accordance with verbal orders received from the general commanding division, I marched the following regiments of my command, viz, Sixtieth New York Volunteers, Col. Abel Godard; One hundred and second New York Volunteers, Col. James C. Lane; One hundred and thirty-seventh New York Volunteers, Capt. Milo B. Eldredge; One hundred and forty-ninth New York Volunteers, Lieut. Col. C. B. Randall commanding, from their camps on Raccoon Mountain at 6.15 a. m., November 24, 1863. The Seventyeighth New York Volunteers, Col. H. Hammerstein, and 130 officers and men belonging to the other regiments, were left in camp and on picket. The troops were in light marching order, with one day's rations. At 8 a. m. we arrived at a ford on Lookout Creek near a mill. We closed in column of regiments en masse, and while awaiting the construction of a foot-bridge across Lookout Creek, we received orders from General Geary to follow the Second Brigade, Second Division, Twelfth Army Corps, and on their (the Second Brigade) arriving under the crest of the mountain, to face to the front and sweep the mountain clear of the enemy. In accordance with these orders, we commenced ascending Lookout in the following order: The Sixtieth New York Volunteers on the right, followed by the One hundred and second New York Volunteers, the One hundred and thirty-seventh New York Volunteers, and the One hundred and forty-ninth New York Volunteers.

Our right joined the left of the Second Brigade. Immediately after crossing, and before we had formed to the front, I received orders

*Embodied in revised statement, p. 83.

to throw out one regiment as skirmishers. I sent the One hundred and second New York Volunteers with instructions to let their left rest on Lookout Creek and their right join the left of the skirmishers of the Second Brigade. As soon as they were deployed, I gave the command "front," and then "forward."

We marched in line of battle over almost insurmountable obstacles. About 1 miles from where we crossed, skirmish firing commenced. We pushed on; the firing became heavier, and when we had gone about 1 mile farther, we found quite a large force of the enemy, but we kept steadily advancing (we were at this time losing heavily) until we came in sight of a breastwork near a rebel camp. Here our men stood for a moment, when I gave the order "fix bayonets," and before the command "charge" could be given our colors were over the works and prisoners were coming in by hundreds, who were passed to the troops in the rear, which I have since understood to have been General Whitaker's brigade. I could not weaken my small force by sending guards to the rear with them, and for the same reason was obliged to leave my wounded where they fell. On seeing our colors so far in front, our men advanced on the run; and such was their impetuosity that abatis and felled timber were no obstacles whatever, but on they dashed-the Sixtieth New York Volunteers, led by Col. Abel Godard cheering and encouraging his men by his example; the One hundred and forty-ninth New York Volunteers, led by Colonel Barnum and Lieutenant-Colonel Randall in the most gallant style; the One hundred and thirty-seventh New York Volunteers, led by Capt. Milo B. Eldredge-sweeping everything before them. After them we rushed around the end of the mountain, the colors always in advance, capturing large numbers of prisoners and some flags, and on past a white house on the Summertown road. Here the brigade got separated by a natural obstruction; the One hundred and forty-ninth New York Volunteers went to the left, and advancing to some rifle-works drove the enemy out handsomely. They had advanced but a short distance from these works when I sent Captain Nolan, acting assistant inspector-general, to direct Colonel Randall to halt there and hold that position. The Sixtieth New York Volunteers and the One hundred and thirtyseventh New York Volunteers went to the right of the white house, and while passing it the One hundred and thirty-seventh New York Volunteers captured two pieces of artillery with their limbers and a large quantity of intrenching tools. They swept their colors over the guns, and in accordance with my orders left no guard with them, but kept steadily advancing until about 300 yards from the house. I there established my line, which was afterward held until the enemy evacuated the mountain. The line at this time was oblique ; the right was thrown forward and still joined the Second Brigade; the left was resting on Chattanooga Creek. This point was reached about 12.15 p. m. Shortly afterward Captain Stegman reported to me with a few skirmishers of the One hundred and second New York Volunteers. I sent them to the left of the One hundred and fortyninth New York Volunteers, which was threatened by the enemy, who were evidently in force at that point. Half an hour after establishing the line the enemy pushed it very hard, but the men stood firm. I sent my aide, Lieut. A. R. Greene, to Brigadier-General Whitaker for re-enforcements. One regiment was sent to the support of the One hundred and forty-ninth New York Volunteers, but none to the support of the remainder of the brigade.

At 3 p. m. we were relieved by the troops of the First Brigade, Second Division, Twelfth Corps, Colonel Creighton commanding, and retired to the cleared space at the end of the mountain. I then had the troops form in two lines and rest. By this time both officers and men were completely exhausted. We had been engaged with the enemy since 10 a. m., had marched over great natural obstructions for over 44 miles, fighting the enemy at every step; had driven them from every position; taken prisoners all the forces that were on the mountain, among them a large number of field officers; captured what the rebels termed the Gibraltar of America, and held it

until relieved.

Nothing but the greatest bravery in officers and men ever could accomplish such magnificent results, but troops led by such officers as Colonel Godard, Sixtieth New York Volunteers; Col. H. A. Barnum, One hundred and forty-ninth New York Volunteers, who, although suffering from a severe wound received on the Peninsula, was again wounded while leading on his men; Lieut. Col. C. B. Randall, One hundred and forty-ninth New York Volunteers, and Capt. Milo B. Eldredge, One hundred and thirty-seventh New York Volunteers, were deserving of success.

The conduct of Color Bearer Jesse A. Brink, One hundred and thirty-seventh New York Volunteers, who was seriously wounded while running to the front with the colors, was truly brave; it is worthy of special mention.

The loss of the brigade in the assault is as follows: Commissioned officers killed, 2; enlisted men killed, 16; commissioned officers wounded, 12; enlisted men wounded, 88. Total loss, 118.

Maj. Gilbert M. Elliott, One hundred and second New York Volunteers, fell mortally wounded while in the discharge of his duty. He was a brave and talented officer, and his loss is much lamented.

November 25, we were occupied in the forenoon burying our dead, who had fallen the day previous. At 11.40 a. m. left Lookout Mountain and marched toward Missionary Ridge. After crossing Chattanooga Creek I was ordered to remain there until the artillery had crossed, and then guard it. In accordance with these orders I moved from the creek to Rossville Gap in the rear of the artillery. At the gap the command turned to the left along the base of the ridge. After marching about a mile from the gap I received orders to move the brigade forward in column of regiments to the support of the troops on the ridge. After moving about 2 miles. in this manner, always within sound of the musketry of our advance, but without being engaged, we bivouacked for the night in an old rebel camp at the base of Missionary Ridge.

November 26, left camp at Missionary Ridge at 10.50 a. m., and marched in the rear of some batteries. On arriving at Rossville Gap I found that the division of the Fifteenth Army Corps, commanded by General Osterhaus, had marched in between the head of this brigade and the rear of the Second Brigade, Second Division, Twelfth Army Corps. I had to remain there until the division had passed, when I followed in its rear; and during the afternoon I passed it and joined the Second Brigade of this division. We marched to Pea Vine Creek, and at 10 p. m. bivouacked for the night.

November 27, left camp near Pea Vine Creek at 7 a. m. and marched to Ringgold, arriving there about 10 a. m. Upon crossing a covered bridge over the Catoosa Creek, we came under fire from musketry and artillery, and while marching through the streets several of our

men were wounded. When the right of the brigade arrived at the depot I was ordered to form my command in column of regiments closed en masse behind the depot, so as to be sheltered from the enemy's fire, which at this time was very severe.

The One hundred and thirty-seventh New York Volunteers could not form behind the depot, so they were placed behind the railroad embankments, and there were sheltered from the enemy's fire. We lay here until 10.40 a. m., when I received orders to move the brigade up Taylor's Gap, and there relieve some regiments of General Osterhaus' division, which were being pressed very hard by the enemy. While I was receiving the orders, the regiments we were ordered to relieve were coming back in confusion and running. I immediately ordered the brigade forward on the double-quick to their support. To arrive at the position we had to pass over an open space about half a mile in extent and under a murderous fire of mušketry and artillery from the enemy, but nothing could exceed the manner in which the troops swept over that field. They were in the most perfect order, ranks well closed, and men ardent and confident, notwithstanding they met large numbers of our troops running to the rear in disorder.

After crossing the field, we filed to the left and marched along the bank of Catoosa Creek until the right rested in an old barn up in the gap. At this time the brigade was formed as follows: The One hundred and forty-ninth New York Volunteers, Lieut. Col. C. B. Randall, on the right; the Sixtieth New York Volunteers, Col. Abel Godard; the One hundred and second New York Volunteers, Col. J. C. Lane, and the One hundred and thirty-seventh New York Volunteers, Capt. Milo B. Eldredge, on the left. On the brigade arriving in position on the bank of the creek, Lieutenant-Colonel Randall threw five companies of the One hundred and forty-ninth New York Volunteers behind the barn and in it, the balance of the regiment being placed along the creek. Here our men were subject to a galling fire from sharpshooters, secreted on Taylor's Ridge; also from a piece of artillery the enemy had in the gap, Colonel Randall selected a few good sharpshooters, and instructed them to shelter themselves and watch the artillerymen and the sharpshooters of the enemy, and on no account to waste their ammunition or expose themselves. They obeyed him well, for in a few moments they killed or wounded every man near the gun, there being only four shots fired from it after his men were in the barn. He strengthened his position by constructing a breastwork of an old wagon body, and had it filled with rails, thus sheltering his men. Previous to his getting in position, the enemy fired four charges of grape at the barn, and although the splinters flew in every direction, happily no one was injured. The conduct of Lieut. Col. C. B. Randall while on the right during the battle was splendid, he, by his example, fearlessly exposing himself during the hottest of the engagement; and the skill with which he maneuvered his troops is worthy of all praise. He did nobly. The other regiments of the brigade were but little engaged, although they were under a heavy fire, they having received repeated orders from me not to waste their ammunition or expose themselves, but to be sheltered in the best manner possible. We were under fire from 10.40 a. m. until 12 m., when our artillery opened on the enemy. Our men were so elated when our artillery opened that they wanted to rise up and cheer and charge. Our shells soon drove