finding that no advance was made by the enemy, he again advanced, moving more to the left, to the crest overlooking the slope of the mountain toward Chattanooga, and occupied a stone wall facing in that direction.

In the meantime, while these latter movements were being made, I went in search of the missing companies of the regiment, and found that they had been stopped by order of General Whitaker, commanding the reserve, and formed on the right of a line of two battalions of his command, and all busy throwing up a breastwork of rails and such other materials as were at hand.

I immediately sought an explanation from General Whitaker, and was informed by him that the enemy were striving to turn our left flank, and that that point would be the battle-ground. I then again went forward some 300 or 400 yards to the line occupied by my regiment, and seeing no indications of any flank movement, I returned and moved these companies forward, together with a number of men of the One hundred and second New York Volunteers, under command of Captain Stegman, who, having become separated from his command in retiring from the line of skirmishers, had reported to me and joined the balance of my command. We held that position with no considerable opposition from the enemy until we were relieved by a regiment of the First Brigade, Second Division, of the Twelfth Army Corps, about 3 p. m., when we retired and joined the brigade at the position indicated.

The conduct of both officers and men cannot be spoken of in terms or too high commendation. They vied with each other in being foremost in the charge upon the enemy. Numerous instances occurred of men and officers almost completely exhausted by the rapid pace of the charge over almost insurmountable obstacles, nobly struggling not to be left behind; officers and men seriously wounded refused to leave the field till our work was done. Our losses sustained and the trophies won sufficiently attest the arduous nature of our duties and the success with which they were performed.

Our loss in the assault upon Lookout Mountain was 7 men killed and 7 officers and 45 men wounded, a list of which has been heretofore forwarded, and to which I beg leave to refer as forming part of this report.

The regiment marched with the brigade, being third in line, at 11.40 a. m. the 25th ultimo, taking the direction of Rossville Gap, making several long halts. Being within sound of heavy fighting beyond the ridge and of the musketry at the gap, about 4 p. m. the command turned to the left and passed rapidly along the base of the ridge, the division marching in column of regiments. As the column came in sight of the top of the ridge the enemy turned and fled in hot haste. We followed as rapidly as possible for 2 or 3 miles, but were unable to come up with them. The march of the division at this time presented one of the finest, most magnificent sights ever witnessed. Both officers and men had become so excited by the sound of the firing and the sight of the fleeing rebels that it was with great difficulty they were restrained sufficiently to preserve their ranks or the distance between regiments, so eager were they to press forward. As the column halted, loud and long huzzas ascended again and again, and were answered by those of our victorious troops upon the summit of the ridge. The troops bivouacked soon after dusk, using the huts that day left by the enemy.

The regiment marched at 10.50 a. m. the 26th ultimo, moving sec29 R R-VOL XXXI, PT II

ond in line with the brigade. At 10 p. m. bivouacked in a field near Pea Vine Creek. We marched from Pea Vine Creek at 7 a. m. the 27th ultimo, my regiment being first in the line of the brigade, and arrived at Ringgold about 9 a. m. We marched through the town and were halted near the railroad depot, which was at the base of Taylor's Ridge. The battle was then already progressing. We remained sheltered by the depot for something over an hour, when I received directions from the colonel commanding brigade to move out my command and take the direction to be pointed out to me by Captain Nolan, of brigade staff, to hold the position I should take, not to fire unless advanced upon, and then no more than was necessary. I immediately moved forward by the flank along the said road, the remainder of the brigade following us. Following the direction taken by Captain Nolan, who had galloped ahead across an open field between the said road, which here turned to the left, and Chickamauga Creek, as we came upon a little rise of ground at the beginning of the field which we were to cross, a few of our troops were seen to be retiring rapidly and in disorder from the very position which we were about to take.

I immediately gave the command "double-quick." The command was obeyed with alacrity, and the pace was soon increased to a run. The regiment moved by the right flank across this open field of some 500 or 600 yards in extent, which was completely swept by the artillery and musketry of the enemy at easy range, with its ranks well closed and its line well preserved, from the rapidity of our movements losing comparatively few. Upon arriving at the banks of the creek at the mouth of the gap in Taylor's Ridge, the right wing of the regiment was posted along the banks of the creek and the left wing in and around an old barn at right angles with the right wing. We found that the hills on both sides of the gap were occupied by the sharpshooters of the enemy in considerable force, who had a complete cross-fire on our position. Finding that it would be impossible to maintain our position unless they were driven back, I gave directions for the men to shelter themselves by every available means, and for a few in each wing to keep up a rapid and careful fire whenever an enemy could be seen. We were thus enabled to retain our position, but with some loss. Soon after our arrival there the enemy moved forward to the edge of the wood and bushes in the mouth of the gap a brass field piece, and threw from a distance of about 100 yards four charges of grape through and through the barn in which we were posted, scattering pieces of board, splinters, and chips in every direction, but fortunately injuring no one, as their aim was a few feet too high. I immediately, upon the appearance of the artillery, stationed about a dozen men to watch it and prevent it being used. They were so successful that only the four shots were fired, and the gun remained in that position nearly half an hour unworked. Several times men came to move it away, but were each time driven back. They finally, by the use of a prolonge, succeeded in withdrawing it to the other side of the railroad. As soon as the firing of the enemy ceased, which was at about 12.30 p. m., several men of the right wing, who were farthest advanced up the bank of the creek, rushed in pursuit of the retiring enemy in hopes of capturing the but were not successful. They succeeded, however, in capturgun, ing a guidon of the battery and a Confederate States of America national flag-the Stars and Bars. Our loss was 3 men killed and 1 officer and 11 men wounded, the list of which has been heretofore forwarded,

The conduct of officers and men as on the previous occasion was all that could be desired.

We remained in position for about one hour after the firing ceased, when the brigade was withdrawn and bivouacked in the edge of the town.

Captain Seymour was detailed as provost-marshal; the regiment also furnished details for moving the wounded and for provost duty. About noon of the 28th ultimo, by order of colonel commanding brigade, I removed the regiment and quartered it in a large building in the village. In the afternoon of the same day the regiment was sent on picket duty and stationed on the ridge south of the creek and gap, from which they were relieved at 2 p. m. the 29th ultimo. The regiment remained quietly at its quarters in the village until 2.30 a. m., December 1, when we took up line of march for our former camp, where we arrived about 3 p. m. Some items or incidents may have been omitted in this account of operations so numerous and extended, but as all our movements were under the immediate eye and direction of the colonel commanding brigade, his own recollection will doubtless enable him to supply the deficiency.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Captain NOLAN,

C. B. RANDALL, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS 149TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS,

Wauhatchie, Tenn., December 4, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to transmit herewith the Confederate flags captured by my command in the assault upon Lookout Mountain, November 24, 1863, and at the battle of Ringgold, November 27.

The circumstances attending their capture, their description, and the names of the persons taking them, are as follows: Two of them are battle flags, one 3 feet 2 inches long and 2 feet 7 inches wide; dark blue ground-work, a white border 2 inches in width, with a white oblong center 11 inches in perpendicular depth, and 16 inches in length. The other is 3 feet and 2 inches in length, 2 feet 8 inches in width, white border 1 inches deep, dark blue ground-work, with round white center 14 inches in diameter. The one with the oblong center was taken from the hands of the rebel sergeant who carried it by First Sergt. Norman F. Potter,* Company E, while in advance of our line, and near the beginning of the felled timber beyond the rebel camps on Lookout Mountain. He disarmed the sergeant and passed him to the rear a prisoner. Sergeant Potter was afterward severely wounded and is now in hospital.

The other was also taken from the sergeant who bore it by Private Peter Kappesser,* Company B, as our line was charging through the rebel camps on Lookout. This sergeant was also disarmed and passed to the rear a prisoner.

The large flag-the Stars and Bars of the Confederacy-is 6 feet 9 inches long and 3 feet 7 inches wide, with a blue rectangular field 2 feet 4 inches by 2 feet 3 inches, containing thirteen eight-pointed stars, nine arranged in a circle and four constituting an arc within

* Awarded Medal of Honor.

the circle and resting on the lower part; the bars extending horizontally, of nearly equal width, and arranged-red, white, red.

The remaining one is a blue battery guidon, 1 foot 10 inches long and 1 foot 5 inches wide, with a white border 2 inches deep.

These last two were taken by Private Philip Goettel,* Company B, at the battle of Ringgold, near the position occupied by the rebel guns that bore upon our regiment, having been left upon the ground when the enemy were driven back by our fire. There was no inscription upon either of the flags. We do not know to what regiments or battery the captured flags belonged.

We have placed upon the first two the following inscription : "Captured at Lookout Mountain, November 24, 1863, by the One hundred and forty-ninth New York Volunteers, Third Brigade, Second Division, Twelfth Army Corps," and upon the last two the following inscription: "Captured at Ringgold, November 27, 1863, by the One hundred and forty-ninth New York Volunteers, Third Brigade, Second Division, Twelfth Army Corps."

Another flag, similar to the first two described, was taken by Private McAllister, Company I, in the assault upon Lookout Mountain. McAllister was afterward severely wounded and taken to hospital, carrying the flag with him. We have been unable to learn to what hospital he has been taken or to obtain possession of the flag. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. B. RANDALL, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

Capt. THOMAS H. ELLIOTT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

No. 128.

Report of Maj. John A. Reynolds, Chief of Artillery.

LOOKOUT VALLEY,
December 2, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I herewith send a report of the action of the artillery under my command during the recent engagements.

In obedience to orders from Brigadier-General Geary, I directed Lieutenant McGill, commanding Independent Pennsylvania Battery E, to accompany, with one section of his battery, the troops of the Second Division, Twelfth Corps, at daylight on the morning of the 24th instant to the crossing of Lookout Creek, near Wauhatchie ; also, in accordance with his orders, I took command of two batteries of the Eleventh Corps, Battery Í, First New York Artillery (six 3-inch guns), Captain Wiedrich commanding, four of which were in position on a hill opposite Lookout Point. and to the rear of Bald Hill (which is at the junction of the creek with the river), and at daybreak of the 24th instant placed Battery K, First Ohio Artillery (four light 12-pounders), Lieutenant Sahm commanding, in position on Bald Hill.

One section of 20-pounder Parrotts, of Captain Froehlich's (Fourth Ohio) battery, was placed in the gap, to the right of Captain Wiedrich, and one section of howitzers, Lieutenant Williams,

* Awarded Medal of Honor.

First Iowa Battery, on the hill to the right of the gap, to shell the enemy, who were firing upon our bridge builders. Between 8 and 9 a. m. the enemy could be seen coming from their camp on the hill-side and getting behind their breastworks and in rifle-pits. They came in small squads at a time, and I directed a few shells to be thrown at them, and also at some who had taken position behind the railroad, and were annoying our men who were constructing the bridge.

I was also desirous of obtaining the correct range in order to shell them effectually in their reàr, should they contest General Geary's advance. At 11 a. m. General Geary's advance came in sight, the batteries opened at once, exploding shells directly in the rifle-pits and breastworks. The fire of Batteries K, First Ohio, from Bald Hill, and I, First New York, at this time was excellent. The enemy made but a short stand, being apparently completely surprised by the movement of General Geary, many surrendering at once, and others running from their works, retreating rapidly, at which the batteries threw a few shells. The troops advanced so rapidly I ordered the batteries to cease firing, but Captain Wiedrich, failing to observe my signal in time, continued his fire a few moments longer, from which I fear a few of our men were injured.

Our lines continuing to advance, and swinging round the base of the hill, soon drove the enemy completely beyond our sight and range.

The batteries of General Osterhaus' division* returned to their camp early in the evening, but deeming an attack from the rebels in the rear and an attempt to cross the bridge possible, by direction of Major-General Butterfield I replaced the section of howitzers, Lieutenant Williams' battery [First Iowa], in position on the hill in the rear of the bridge to protect it; also, in accordance with General Butterfield's orders, directed the batteries to cross the creek at daylight on the morning of the 25th, and reported in person to MajorGeneral Hooker at daybreak. By his direction I rode to the front of our lines on Lookout to select positions for artillery. Upon arriving I was informed by General Geary the enemy had left. At 11 a. m. an advance was ordered by General Hooker, and I directed the batteries to follow. Arriving at Chattanooga Creek, the bridge having been destroyed, we were detained three hours in its construction. After crossing the creek General Hooker ordered the artillery to move with General Geary's division, which was to move up the west side of Missionary Ridge.

I directed Captain Landgraeber's battery (horse artillery) to take the advance, and such was the rapidity of General Geary's movements, and the impetuosity of his command in the advance, that the artillery had to trot, and several times force their horses into a gallop-to keep pace with the advance of his column. The enemy were apparently terror stricken at our approach and rapidly fled, though twice we came up in time to throw a few shells at their retreating columns. Once they apparently determined to make a stand on the top of the ridge, but a few well-directed shells from the battery soon dispersed them.

The advance was continued until uniting with General Palmer's lines just before dusk, when we were ordered to camp.

*The First Iowa and Fourth Ohio Batteries, and Battery F, Second Missouri Artillery.