ever shown, and the line pushed onward and upward, exposed to a galling fire from an earth-work about half way up the side of the ridge.

From this the enemy was soon dislodged, and the command halted again for breath as well as to pour a destructive fire upon the retreating masses of the enemy.

At the command the line again started toward the summit, crowned by a carefully constructed line of works from which the heavy forces of the enemy poured their fire. The ground was now so steep that I was compelled to dismount. Still the troops toiled upward until the heights were carried, the First Battalion planting its colors upon the earth-work the first of the demi-brigade.

We slept in the fortifications that night, and marched at 10 a. m. on the 26th in pursuit of the enemy. About 9 p. m. line of battle was formed, and Company B, First Battalion, under command of Capt. Andrew S. Burt, was deployed as skirmishers. He soon captured a piece of artillery from the enemy, with several prisoners, and having done all that was required of him, rejoined the command, which bivouacked at midnight after a march of about 12 miles.

One the 27th, after a rapid march on Ringgold, the command reached that place at the closing of a severe engagement, in which the enemy was again defeated. The troops remained in bivouac near this town until the morning of the 29th, when the march was resumed, and toward Chattanooga, 18 miles distant, where the command arrived the same evening.

I cannot speak too highly in praise of the conduct of officers and men during this trying week. From Sunday, the 22d, until Sunday, the 29th, the command was constantly and laboriously employed. Without sufficient food and wholly without shelter, their uncomplaining devotion to duty cannot be too highly extolled. And there could be no more glorious exhibition of gallantry than that made by the troops of my command at the assault of the Missionary Ridge. My thanks are especially due to Lieut. D. W. Benham, quartermaster First Battalion, Eighteenth Infantry, who accompanied me on the staff at his own request and rendered efficient service. Lieut. R. F. Little is deserving of honorable mention for the energy and courage with which he performed the duties of adjutant of battalion and detachment.

Capt. Henry Haymond, commanding Second Battalion, was conspicuous for the gallantry with which he led his command.

Second Lieut. John U. Gill distinguished himself by being the first commissioned officer over the earth-works on the summit of the ridge.

Commissary Sergt. Joseph Livsey and Quartermaster Sergt. John W. Price accompanied the command in the line at their own request, and for gallantry are deserving the consideration of the Government. Sergt. Majs. Edwin Beach and A. C. Barrows performed their duties to my entire satisfaction. Color Sergt. Rowland W. Evans behaved with great courage and coolness. Sergt. James A. Elliott, Company H, First Battalion, was the first man over the works, and captured 12 prisoners, 2 of them commissioned officers.

I append a list of casualties.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. W. SMITH, Captain, Eighteenth Infantry, Commanding Detachment. Maj. JOHN R. EDIE,

Fifteenth U. S. Infantry, Commanding Demi-Brigade.

[Inclosure.]

List of casualties of First Battalion, Eighteenth U. S. Infantry, during the engagement at Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863: Commissioned officers in action, 10. Enlisted men: Killed, 1; wounded, 15; in action, 176.

No. 148.

Report of Brig. Gen. Jefferson C. Davis, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division, including march to the relief of Knoxville.

HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,

McAfee Church, Ga., April 1, 1864.

MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part performed by this division during the operations which resulted in driving the enemy's forces from their position on Mission Ridge in front of Chattanooga; also its participation in the campaign to Knoxville and return, under command of Major-General Sherman, for the relief of the troops under Major-General Burnside: Upon the reorganization of the Army of the Cumberland, subsequent to the battle of Chickamauga, the troops principally composing this division were much scattered over the wide district of country embracing Stevenson, Bridgeport, Anderson's Cross-Roads, mouth of the North Chickamauga, and from thence occupying a number of small posts along the north bank of the Tennessee River as far as Smith's Ferry, at which point our lines connected with those of General Burnside in East Tennessee. This scattered condition of the troops and the excessively bad condition of the roads at this season of the year rendered the procurement of supplies necessary to equip them for active operations a very difficult task.

On the 19th November, in compliance with verbal instructions from department headquarters, I commenced to concentrate my command on the Tennessee River at Caldwell's Crossing, 4 miles above Chattanooga, and opposite the point on Mission Ridge against which it was intended the forces under Major-General Sherman should operate. My troops arrived in good season, but owing to the nonarrival of a part of General Sherman's command, delayed by heavy rains and bad roads, the crossing was deferred until the morning of the 24th. This unavoidable delay, however vexatious, was not time entirely lost, not an hour was unemployed in making arrangements and perfecting our plans for crossing. This was done in boats launched in the mouth of the North Chickamauga Creek at the camp of Colonel McCook's brigade. A large share of the labor in bringing forward and launching the boats and preparing them for the enterprise devolved upon Col. Daniel McCook's command. In the execution of this work great caution and secrecy was necessary, and much praise is due Colonel McCook and staff for the admirable manner in which it was accomplished.

The batteries of my command were placed in position to assist, in conjunction with others, in covering the landing of the troops on the opposite shore. The first crossing was accomplished by a part of General Sherman's command just before daylight on the morning of the 24th. The work of constructing the bridge was at once

commenced, and so rapidly was it prosecuted, that by noon my division, following the rear of General Sherman's command, had crossed and taken position, as directed by General Sherman, in advance of Crutchfield's house, in close supporting distance of the troops moving forward and taking possession of Mission Ridge.

With but slight changes, made from time to time to conform to the movements of General Sherman's troops in their operations on Mission Ridge, my command remained in this position as reserve troops until the night of the 25th.

None of my troops participated in the engagement on Mission Ridge except Battery I, Second Illinois Light Artillery. This battery, under command of Lieutenant Plant, was ordered to the front and took position near the base of the ridge and opened fire on the enemy's batteries upon the hill with great spirit. A sharp fire was returned by the enemy's artillery, but owing to the height of the hill upon which his batteries were placed, his fire was very ineffectual, passing too high to do any damage. Supported by General Ewing's division, this battery maintained its position until night.

About midnight, the 25th, I received orders to cross the South Chickamauga Creek, and move up the north bank in the direction of Chickamauga Station. The movement was commenced at once. Crossing the stream on a small pontoon bridge, already built near its mouth, I proceeded up the north bank until the crossing of the road leading from Chattanooga to Harrison was reached. The fog had by this time become so thick it was impossible to proceed farther without great risk. The troops were ordered to make coffee and get their breakfast.

Shortly after daylight Major-General Howard arrived and reported his (Eleventh) corps moving on the same road close in rear of my command.

About 8 a. m. the fog began to rise, and I put the troops in motion. The enemy's cavalry was soon discovered, but made little resistance until the head of Morgan's brigade reached the railroad at its crossing with Chickamauga Creek.

The Twenty-first Kentucky Regiment, deployed as skirmishers, found the enemy disposed to fight at this point, but after a sharp skirmish of a few rounds were driven back, and retreated in the direction of the station,

Prisoners here taken informed me of the general retreat of Bragg's army from Mission Ridge.

Chickamauga Station was now in full view, presenting a couple of formidable looking field-works, with a large plain intervening. over which we were compelled to move in a direct attack.

A few shells thrown from a section of Battery I, Second Illinois Light Artillery, failed to bring a reply, and I ordered Morgan to advance his skirmishers. The Twenty-first Kentucky Regiment. moved forward in a beautiful skirmish line, and, when reaching the. suburbs of the town, encountered the enemy in a very sharp skir mish.

The flames which by this time began to issue from_the_burning, buildings indicated the character of the retreat, and I ordered the skirmishers to push the attack into the town. This was handsomely done, closely supported by the remainder of Morgan's brigade.

Colonel Price, commanding the regiment, assisted by LieutenantColonel Evans, pressed the enemy so closely through the burning town that he was compelled to abandon considerable property undestroyed.

army.

In this sharp encounter several of the enemy were wounded and captured, belonging to Kentucky regiments of the Confederate This fact was soon known to the gallant Twenty-first Kentucky. Kentucky loyal was now meeting Kentucky rebel face to face. The enthusiasm it created ran through the lines like an electric thrill. The order to advance and attack the field-works in their front was received with a cheer, and executed with a dash that soon drove the enemy's skirmishers upon their main line, now formed about a quarter of a mile beyond the town to resist our rapid and vigorous advance. A battery posted in the road opened fire, but was soon driven from its position by Battery I, Second Illinois Light Artillery.

The Twenty-first Kentucky, deployed entirely as a skirmish line, was now hotly engaged, and I ordered General Morgan to send another regiment to its support. The Tenth Illinois, commanded by Colonel Tillson, was designated for the duty and moved forward in excellent order. Tillson engaged the enemy in front, thus enabling Price to direct his skirmish attacks, as previously instructed, upon the field-works on our flanks, and into which the enemy's skirmishers had taken refuge.

Tillson gallantly charged the enemy in front, and soon caused him to fall back in great haste. Price's skirmishers after a sharp conflict took the field-works. The enemy retired in the direction of Graysville.

Thus ended a very gallant little fight, which reflected great credit upon the troops engaged in it and resulted in our capturing several cannon, among them two 24-pounder siege pieces. Considerable commissary, quartermaster's, and ordnance stores were also captured and saved, notwithstanding the efforts of the enemy to destroy them. General Sherman arriving at the head of the column about this time (2 p. m.), directed me to let the troops rest for a short time and then to push forward in pursuit. The advance was soon resumed with the Second Brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General Beatty, on the right.

The enemy's cavalry formed their rear guard and made several demonstrations as though they would resist our advance, but were easily driven by our skirmishers when attacked, until the farm known as Mrs. Shepherd's, about 3 miles beyond the station, was reached. Here, when the head of the column had just penetrated a densely wooded swamp, the enemy was found by Beatty's skirmishers in considerable force. A battery opened fire upon the head of the column while the men were much scattered in getting through the bog. Beatty, who was himself in the advance, threw forward his skirmish line and attacked very sharply. This brigade pushed rapidly across the swamp, and deploying into line moved at once on the enemy's position in the open field. The enemy yielded this position after some sharp skirmishing, and fell back across the open fields where his battery was posted. Battery I, Second Illinois Light Artillery, conforming to the movements of the brigade, moved forward and took position on a commanding hill in the open field, and opened fire upon the enemy's battery.

Beatty pushed his brigade to the banks of a small stream running through the fields and formed line of battle. This position brought his line within range of the timber which skirted the open field in his front, and along which the enemy had taken position. Heavy firing was at once commenced and kept up on both sides until long after dark.

McCook pushed forward with two regiments of his brigade, and formed on Beatty's right and rear in close supporting distance. The other two regiments of McCook's brigade I ordered to push forward and form immediately on Beatty's left, which order was promptly executed at the double-quick.

Morgan came promptly up in reserve in excellent line of battle. I was much tempted to make a general attack, but it was now quite dark, and no reconnaissance had been or could be made of the enemy's position or forces; a night attack was not, therefore, prudent, under the circumstances.

The enemy's forces proved, from information derived from prisoners taken after the engagement, to be two brigades and a field battery, commanded by Brigadier-General Maney, who was himself severely wounded in the engagement.

In this engagement the brigade of General Beatty did most of the fighting and behaved with excellent courage.

Owing to the darkness of the evening, which set in before the troops had got fairly to work, the loss was very small on both sides. The troops lay on their arms during the night, and at daylight in the morning resumed the pursuit, Colonel McCook's brigade in the advance.

In compliance with orders, I took the Graysville road, and about 8.30 o'clock formed a junction with General Palmer's forces at that place. Here General Howard's corps was ordered to take the advance, and marched for Parker's Gap. Following the Eleventh Corps, I arrived at Parker's Gap about noon, and while awaiting the passage of General Howard's command through the gap, I directed the troops to stack arms and get dinner. McCook's skirmishers, in the meantime, taking the road to Ringgold, opened communication with General Hooker's command, then engaging the enemy at that place, in doing which 152 prisoners were captured by them.

During the remainder of the afternoon, in compliance with instructions, I held my troops in readiness to support General Howard or Hooker, as might be required, and at night bivouacked midway between Parker's Gap and Ringgold.

The following day (28th) I moved to Parker's Gap, and went into camp, awaiting instructions.

On the morning of the 29th, in compliance with orders received during the night, I marched for Cleveland, passing through McDaniel's Gap, formed a junction with Howard's corps at Widow Tucker's, and went into camp 3 miles north of Cleveland late in the evening.

Early on the morning of the 30th, the march was resumed. Taking a road parallel with that occupied by the Eleventh and Fifteenth Corps, I arrived and went into camp 1 mile below the town of Calhoun, on the Hiwassee.

The 1st December, I crossed the Hiwassee at Calhoun, and again taking a collateral road, I went into camp on Mouse Creek, at Buckner's Mill.

The 2d December, continued the march and went into camp 5 miles beyond King and Alexander's cotton factories, near the farm of Major Small (an officer in the Federal Army), and the next day, 3d December, reached the Tennessee River at Loudon, camping on the farm of Widow Lenoir, 1 miles from the town.

On the 4th December, marched up the river and joined the Fifteenth and part of the Fourth Corps at Morganton.