being on picket) within the rifle-pits in front of my encampment, where the troops remained during the night.

November 24, General Baird's division, of the Fourteenth Army Corps, was sent to the front, and the forts and intrenchments in front of his encampment were held by my division. The command, under General Hooker, attacked the enemy on Lookout Mountain, and late in the evening I was ordered to send General Carlin's brigade over Chattanooga Creek to report to General Hooker. The creek being much swollen by recent rains, and the banks very abrupt, it was impossible to ford it or to throw over a temporary bridge. Meeting with Colonel Stanley, Eighteenth Ohio Volunteers, he kindly consented to bring down a ferry-boat, which was used. Pending the arrival of the ferry-boat, the corps commander directed Major Mendenhall to bring down to the bank of the creek some artillery. One section of the Eighth Wisconsin Battery and one section of the Seventh Indiana Battery were posted in position and did fine execution against the masses of the enemy hurled against General Hooker's left, and prevented re-enforcements being sent against our forces on the mountain.

General Carlin, although necessarily delayed a short time, formed a junction with General Hooker on the rough, irregular slope of the mountain in time to assist in repelling, in a gallant style, a heavy assault upon our lines.

November 25, General Carlin's brigade recrossed Chattanooga Creek and rejoined my command, while the forces on Lookout Mountain passed down the eastern slope and over the valley to the foot of Missionary Ridge. In the afternoon I was instructed to draw in my Second Brigade from picket and hold it in readiness to move against the enemy. My Third Brigade (General Starkweather's) was ordered to hold the forts and intrenchments in and around Chattanooga. Later in the day I was ordered to form my command in two lines, resting my left against the right of General Sheridan's division, and to conform to his movements. Up to this time, owing to the sickness of General King, whose absence I regretted very much, my Second Brigade had been commanded by the accomplished soldier, Col. M. F. Moore, of the Sixty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Colonel Stoughton, of the Eleventh Michigan Volunteers, arrived, and by virtue of seniority took command of the brigade. My division was formed, General Carlin on the right and Colonel Stoughton on the left, connecting with General Sheridan and facing Missionary Ridge. A heavy line of skirmishers was thrown out, and all the arrangements made availing the movement on the left.

The enemy was posted in a strong position in front, overlapping and extending away off to the right as far as the eye could reach, while in our front and to our right and left batteries were posted, so as to have a cross-fire. About 3.45 p. m. the advance was sounded on my left, which was promptly conformed to by my command, and it moved forward steadily across the valley and toward the base of Missionary Ridge. My skirmishers soon became engaged with the enemy, who were sheltered by their rifle-pits, but without faltering, and under a galling fire of musketry and artillery, they moved forward, driving the enemy from his first line of intrenchments. Notwithstanding the steepness of the mountain, the division moved steadily forward, driving the rebels from their works, and soon the summit was reached, and the colors planted upon the enemy's boasted

stronghold. A loud and prolonged cheer announced that a great victory had been gained. The summit was reached a little before sundown, the lines reformed, pickets thrown out, and arrangements made for encamping for the night. Orders were received to replenish our ammunition (up to 100 rounds), and to issue four days' rations, preparatory to following up the retreating foe.

November 26, the First and Second Brigades, the Second in advance, moved out on a road leading south of east, accompanied by the corps commander. After a march of 7 miles the head of the column arrived at the West Chickamauga Creek. Here the bridge had been destroyed, and the creek could not be forded. The horses were made to swim over, while a temporary bridge was constructed over which the men passed. After moving 14 miles the column reached Pea Vine Creek, and here, again, it was necessary to construct a temporary bridge for our men. At this point the road forks, the right hand leading directly to Ringgold, the left leading to Graysville. General Carlin led off on the latter road. Before advancing far the noise of men and wagons rendered it certain that a column of the enemy was retreating by the La Fayette road. General Carlin was directed to form line of battle, and Colonel Stoughton's brigade was, by direction of the corps commander, directed to advance on the Ringgold road to its crossing with the La Fayette road, and to attack the enemy vigorously. This movement was made in gallant style, and about 9 p. m. a volley was fired into Stewart's (rebel) division, the men of which scattered in all directions, throwing away their arms, abandoning their colors, and leaving in our possession three Napoleon guns, two caissons, with horses, harness, &c., and quite a number of prisoners. The command then resumed the march on Graysville, General Carlin leading with his brigade. The head of the column reached the village about 11 p. m., driving out of it in great confusion a number of the enemy, supposed to be a brigade. In this place General Carlin captured a number of prisoners and one

cannon.

November 27, at early dawn, I was ordered to proceed to Ringgold by one road, while the major-general commanding the corps, with General Baird's division, marched by another route. This movement threw me in rear of General Hooker's forces. When General Hooker's advance reached Ringgold it met with a spirited resistance. I directed General Carlin to form his brigade on the left of General Hooker, and to advance and attack. This was done in fine style, and soon his skirmishers opened upon those of the enemy, the latter falling back to the summit of White Oak Ridge.

Before advancing far, General Hooker directed me to halt and await further orders. My command had hardly halted before the enemy withdrew from my front and attacked the troops on my right, by which they were repulsed and driven from the field.

My command remained in Ringgold until the morning of the 29th November, when it was ordered to return to this place. The battles referred to in this report were fought on open ground, and every commander in the army could see the conduct of nearly all the troops engaged. To say my division did well would hardly convey an idea of the noble daring of its officers and men. The Army of the Cumberland has nobly sustained its gallant reputation, and it is but just to accord to the heroes of Vicksburg and the Potomac an equal share in the honor and glory won by our united efforts. I cannot close this report without acknowledging the valuable services of my brigade

commanders. Brig. Gen. W. P. Carlin, commanding the First Brigade, ably assisted by Col. B. F. Scribner, Thirty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, exhibited the same cool courage and daring which characterized his conduct at Perryville, Stone's River, and Chickamauga. I thank him for his valuable advice and services, and congratulate him on his achievements. Col. W. L. Stoughton, Eleventh Regiment Michigan Volunteers, commanding Second Brigade; Col. M. F. Moore, Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteers, commanding left wing, and Maj. J. R. Edie, Fifteenth Infantry, U. S. Army, commanding right wing, were very efficient in the discharge of their duties; great praise is due to them.

A small battalion of the Fifteenth U. S. Infantry, never under fire before, acted like veterans.

The Fifteenth Regiment Kentucky Volunteers, on post duty, was not engaged. Its colonel, Marion C. Taylor, joined me and acted as a staff officer. I am greatly indebted to him for his valuable assistance. He was at all times ready and willing to carry orders to any part of the field. He is a brave and gallant officer, worthy of promotion.

Major Fitch, Captain Waggener, Lieutenants Morris, Lowe, Kessler, and Smith, and Surgeon Miller, of my staff, were prompt and efficient. Their gallantry was conspicuous on all occasions calling it forth. The hope for glory and. distinction will account for the gallantry of officers, but how can we thank too much the private soldier who faces death without hope of future reward?

Every officer and soldier did his duty, and I regret not being able to submit the name of every man in the division in this report in order that others may honor those to whom honor is justly due.

Accompanying this report is the report of Brigadier-General Carlin, with sub-reports. The reports of the Second Brigade will be forwarded when received.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Capt. B. H. POLK,

R. W. JOHNSON, Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.

Assistant Adjutant-General, Fourteenth Army Corps.

* But see revised statement, p. 84.

No. 133.

Report of Brig. Gen. William P. Carlin, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FIRST DIV., 14TH ARMY CORPS,

Chattanooga, Tenn., November 30, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to report to Brig. Gen. R. W. Johnson, commanding First Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, the operations of my command from the 24th to the 29th instant, inclusive. These operations may be subdivided as follows:

The assault and capture of Lookout Mountain, the assault and capture of Missionary Ridge, and the pursuit of the enemy to Graysville, and thence to Ringgold.

The following named regiments only participated in the active movements: The Second Ohio Infantry, Col. A. G. McCook commanding; the Thirty-eighth Indiana, Lieut. Col. D. F. Griffin commanding; the Thirty-third Ohio, Captain Montgomery commanding; the Eighty-eighth Indiana, Colonel Briant commanding; the Forty-second Indiana, Lieutenant-Colonel McIntire commanding; the One hundred and fourth Illinois, Lieutenant-Colonel Hapeman commanding, and the Ninety-fourth Ohio, Major Hutchins commanding.

The Tenth Wisconsin had been detailed to hold the fort south of Crutchfield's house, the Fifteenth Kentucky was on special duty as town guard, and Battery A, First Michigan Artillery, remained in

camp.

During the night of the 23d, my brigade occupied the inner works from the railroad to the river.

Before daylight on the 24th, it was moved in front of Fort Negley to support Baird's division, where it remained till about 2 p. m., when I received orders from General Johnson to take my command across Chattanooga Creek, and to assist General Hooker, who was then hotly engaged with the enemy on Lookout Mountain. Chattanooga Creek was not fordable, nor was there a bridge over it along our entire lines. The enemy was in force and strongly fortified on the south side. I was confident that any attempt to cross my brigade at any other point than the one finally selected would prove disastrous, and of course would fail to assist General Hooker. There being no tools nearer than town, the construction of a bridge would have caused great delay, even if it could have been used. It seemed to me, and subsequent examination of the ground has verified the opinion, that the only practicable mode of crossing the creek and assisting General Hooker was to ferry it at the mouth with boats to be brought from Chattanooga. Fortunately, Col. T. R. Stanley, chief of river transportation, happened to be at the point selected and promised to furnish the boats.

Within a short time he had galloped to town and brought down a large flat-boat, with which my command was ferried over. It was my intention to form a line at right angles to General Hooker's and to attack the enemy in flank; but before my line was formed I received orders from General Hooker to report to him in person. He directed me to take my command to the extreme right of his line at the white house, near the top of the mountain, and to relieve the front line of General Geary and General Whitaker.

The difficulties of that march are such as I shall not attempt to

describe. It was dark when I, with the head of the column, reached the white house. Before seeing General Geary I placed my troops in defensive position. Finding General Geary my senior officer in command of that part of the line, I reported to him. The Thirtyeighth Indiana and Thirty-third Ohio, by his orders, were placed on the extreme upper slope of the point of Lookout Mountain, the right resting at the foot of the vertical peak, relieving two of General Geary's regiments. There being no orders from General Geary for other troops, they retained the first position assigned them till about 8.30 p. m., when an officer of the Thirty-first Iowa informed me that the enemy was forming to attack his regiment on the left flank, and stated that there was a gap in our line on his left. I immediately placed the Second Ohio, Col. A. G. McCook, on the left of the Thirtyfirst Iowa, and not a moment too soon. The regiment had just taken position when it was fiercely attacked at short range. The Second Ohio, however, repulsed the attack handsomely. But the enemy did not relinquish his efforts to break the line at that point. I then placed the Forty-second Indiana and Eighty-eighth Indiana on the left of the Second Ohio.

The enemy again attacked on front of these three regiments, but were repulsed, and firing ceased about 2 a. m., November 25, when the enemy withdrew. These three regiments all suffered some loss in this affair. I failed to state above that while waiting for the boats to cross Chattanooga Creek two howitzers from the Eighth Wisconsin and two Parrott guns from the Seventh Indiana Batteries were placed near the mouth of the creek, and opened with excellent effect on the enemy in front of General Hooker. This fire prevented the enemy from re-enforcing, and, as I ascertained next day, inflicted considerable loss upon him. To Captain Swallow, Seventh Indiana, and the other officers and men engaged, I express my thanks.

On the morning of the 25th, I applied to General Hooker for instructions. He replied that I was assigned to his command by Major-General Thomas, and that he could not relieve me. At a later hour he informed me that I was ordered to the Summertown road, at the foot of Lookout, to await orders from General Palmer, and directed me to get my brigade "out of the way as soon as possible." Marching down Lookout Mountain to the place designated, I halted for ten minutes, when Major-General Butterfield informed me that orders had been received directing me to rejoin General Palmer immediately. Having started to obey this order, I met a staff officer of General Thomas, who informed me that I was ordered to co-operate with General Hooker. I had sent, in the meantime, to Generals Johnson and Palmer for instructions, but before a reply was received had decided to recross Chattanooga Creek and return to the division. After recrossing I marched over to the Rossville road and down that road about a mile, to the right of the Second Brigade, First Division, Fourteenth Army Corps. Seeing no signs of General Hooker's force, I moved back to a point near the Second Brigade, where I received instructions from General Johnson to prepare to advance against the enemy on Mission Ridge. Forming in two lines, on the right of the Second Brigade, my second line en échelon to the right, I advanced with the advance of the Second Brigade. The brush and streams in the wooded valley caused some disorder in the ranks, but the line continued gallantly forward. On reaching the open ground in front of the line of rifle-pits at the base of the ridge, the enemy opened on us with artillery, which,