No. 207. Reports of Col. Joseph R. Cockerill, Seventieth Ohio Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, including operations since September 28, and march to the relief of Knoxville. HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., FOURTH DIV., 15TH ARMY CORPS, In the Field, November 27, 1863. GENERAL: I herewith submit the following report of the operations of this brigade during the recent engagement near Chattanooga, Tenn.: On the morning of the 24th instant, we left our camp on the north side of the Tennessee River and crossed over in boats to the south side, and advanced at once to Missionary Ridge, preceded by the Second Brigade of this division. Taking possession of the ridge in the evening, the enemy shelled us sharply, when we proceeded to in trench, and by morning of the 25th had a good line of works constructed extending from the base to the top of the ridge facing south. On the 25th, we were ordered to remain in our works and support a battery on the crest of the ridge, holding firmly our position if attacked. During the p. m. the Seventieth and Fifty-third Ohio were advanced to support a battery in their front while operating on the enemy on Tunnel Hill. During the night we remained in our works, and at daylight on the morning of the 26th started in pursuit of the retreating enemy. Both officers and men performed their duties to my entire satisfaction. Our casualties were 3 wounded. Respectfully submitted. Brig. Gen. HUGH EWING. J. R. COCKERILL, Colonel, Commanding Briaade. HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., FOURTH DIV., 15TH ARMY CORPS, SIR: In compliance with Special Orders, No.-, from headquarters Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, I herewith submit the following report : On Sunday, 28th September, 1863, crossed to the east side of Black River. At 8 o'clock next morning arrived at Brownsville, Miss., accompanied by a body of cavalry commanded by Colonel Winslow. We remained in Brownsville about five hours, so as to allow the cavalry time to reach Vernon. While at Brownsville the enemy's cavalry, with artillery, commanded by General Jackson, were around us on nearly every side. A few well directed shots from Cheney's battery dispersed them. We then returned unmolested to camp on Black River on the 29th, and found all the troops of the division had gone to Vicksburg. We followed in the afternoon and arrived in Vicksburg on the 30th, where we remained until the 3d day of October, when we embarked on transports and arrived at Memphis, Tenn., on the 9th. Marched from Memphis on the 11th, by way of Mount Pleasant, Miss., to Corinth, where we arrived on the 17th. Left Corinth on the 19th and arrived at Iuka on the 20th Left Iuka on the 27th and arrived at Florence, Ala., on the 29th, crossing the Tennessee River at Eastport. Left Florence on the 2d day of November and arrived at Bridgeport, Ala., on the 15th, via Fayetteville and Winchester, Tenn., passing over some of the worst roads in America. Left Bridgeport on the 17th and arrived at Trenton, Ga., on the 18th, driving out the enemy's cavalry. Left Trenton on the 21st, passing down Lookout Valley, and arrived at the camps before Chattanooga on the evening of the 22d. The part that this brigade took in the battle of Chattanooga and pursuit of Bragg to Graysville, Ga., has been already submitted. Left Graysville on the 29th and arrived at Maryville, Tenn., on the 5th December, via Athens, crossing Little Tennessee River at Morganton. Since leaving Bridgeport the officers and men of this command have been without tents, knapsacks, and many without blankets. They have subsisted on less than one-half rations. The shoes of most of the men are nearly worn out, many being entirely so;_clothing in bad condition. Under all these adverse circumstances I am proud to say that these brave men have moved forward, discharging every duty incumbent upon them without a murmur. I feel satisfied that they will receive the commendation of the general commanding the division. I know they deserve the thanks of the country for their untiring energy and devotion to its interests. Respectfully submitted. Capt. J. D. MCFARLAND, Assistant Adjutant-General. J. R. COCKERILL, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. No. 208. Report of Capt. Henry Richardson, First Missouri Light Artillery, Chief of Artillery. ATHENS, TENN., SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the batteries under my command during the recent battle at Chattanooga : On the 24th, I crossed the Tennessee River with Battery D, First Missouri (leaving batteries I and F, First Illinois, in position to cover the crossing of the troops), and proceeded with the division to Mission Ridge, and found our infantry had taken possession of the highest point south of the railroad tunnel, and soon after I arrived the enemy opened upon them with a battery of artillery from a commanding position about 1,200 yards distant; finding the hill too steep for horses, I proceeded to haul the battery up by hand and succeeded in reaching the summit with four pieces (leaving one on the side-hill and one on the level ground below), and after placing them in the best position I could select, opened upon the enemy's battery, which was silenced in about thirty minutes. On the 25th, about 9 a. m., we again opened to cover the movement of our storming parties, and found our fire briskly returned. In the meantime, I was ordered by the general to send the two pieces (the one on the side and the one below the hill) to Colonel Loomis, who was about making a demonstration on the ridges north of the tunnel. I reported, and was ordered by the colonel to fire on a house up the valley toward the tunnel which afforded shelter to some of the enemy's sharpshooters, whom I succeeded in dislodging (my shells setting the house on fire), and then turned my fire on enemy's batteries on the hill; continued firing during the day, alternately upon enemy's skirmishers in the valley, and the battery on the hill. I fired during the day 650 rounds, with no loss on my part, and only 2 men slightly wounded. I wish to call the attention of the general to my officers, Lieutenants Callender and White, who acted with great gallantry during the battle. I must not forget to mention Sergeant Dixon, who commanded the two guns in the valley; he proved himself worthy of a better position. Í am, sir, your most obedient servant, HENRY RICHARDSON, Captain, and Chief of Artillery, 4th Div., 15th Army Corps. Capt. J. D. MCFARLAND, Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 209. Report of Brig. Gen. John E. Smith, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, including operations since September 29. HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Near Chattanooga, Tenn., November 30, 1863. MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of my command since its temporary assignment to the Fifteenth Army Corps: The command arrived in Memphis, Tenn., from Helena, Ark., September 29, and remained until October 6, waiting for camp equipage from Vicksburg, Miss. In compliance with orders from Major-General Sherman, then commanding corps, I moved, October 7, by rail, to Glendale, Miss., the Third Brigade, General Matthies commanding. The remainder of the command, First and Second Brigades, owing to the limited capacity of the railroad, did not reach Glendale until October 10. General Matthies was ordered to proceed to Burnsville the same day, which point he reached at 11 a. m., the duty assigned him being to guard the railroad then being repaired to Iuka. Iremained at Glendale with First and Second Brigades until October 17, when, in compliance with orders, I marched to Burnsville, reaching that point at 12 m. At this point received 100 wagons to organize a supply train for my command. Marched from Burnsville to Iuka, October 19, arriving at 3 p. m., where I turned over to Second Division, in compliance with orders from Major-General Sherman, 50 wagons. October 20, ordered to organize supply and ammunition train and move across Bear Creek on the 21st. Wagons were not furnished by the corps assistant quartermaster until 11 p. m. of the 20th. Most 41 R R-VOL XXXI, PT II of the wagons, mules, and harness supplied were unserviceable, rendering our future marches very difficult. October 21, moved across Bear Creek, Ala., remaining in camp until the 23d, when we moved to Dickson's Station, 4 miles from camp on Bear Creek, leaving one regiment, the Fourth Minnesota, to protect the bridge across Bear Creek, and the pioneer corps to assist Colonel Flad, commanding engineer regiment, in repairing railroad. October 29, received orders from Major-General Sherman to march to Chickasaw, where we arrived at 1 p. m. Commenced crossing the Tennessee River October 30, at 10 a. m. The Second Brigade, Colonel Raum commanding, succeeded in getting across, and was ordered to move out from Waterloo to Gravelly Springs, and there await the remainder of the command. Owing to the limited means for crossing the river, the First and Third Brigades did not get over until November 1. I marched with First Brigade and supply train, leaving Waterloo at 3 p. m., arriving at or near Gravelly Springs at 9 p. m., where I learned that Colonel Raum had been ordered forward to Florence by Major-General Sherman. November 2, marched to Florence, leaving Third Brigade to follow. Arrived at Florence at 2 p. m., and ordered Second Brigade to move out to Shoal Creek, a distance of 7 miles, with orders to march early next day. November 3, marched to Second Creek, distance 20 miles. November 4, marched to Rogersville, distance 4 miles, where we came up with the Fourth Division, which was in advance and unable to cross Elk River. The brigades of my command closed up at this point; moved out on Pulaski road at 12 m.; arrived at Anderson's Creek at 4 p. m. The Second Brigade still in advance was ordered to camp on Sugar Creek. November 5, moved from Anderson's Creek at 5 a. m., reached Sugar Creek, distance 6 miles, at 7.30 a. m. Second Brigade unable to move, Fourth Division having the road. Left Sugar Creek at 11 a. m., and arrived at Gilbertsborough at 3 p. m. November 6, marched at 6 a. m., arriving at Brown's Mills, Richland Creek, at 11 a. m.; distance, 9 miles. November 7, moved forward at 6 a. m. in direction of Fayetteville, and camped at 4 p. m. on Bradshaw Creek. November 8, marched to Cane Creek; distance, 12 miles. November 10, marched to Gum Springs, arriving at 3.45 p. m.; distance, 14 miles. November 11, moved at 6 a. m., arriving near Winchester at 5 p. m. and camped; distance, 22 miles. November 13, moved at 6 a. m.; reached University Switch at 3.30 p. m. and camped; distance, 16 miles. November 14, moved from camp at 6 a. m. and camped on Sweeden's Creek at 4 p. m. November 15, moved from camp at 7 a. m. and arrived at Bridgeport at 11.30 a. m.; distance, 9 miles. Remained in camp until the 18th, when, in compliance with orders received on the night of the 17th from Major-General Sherman, I marched with all the supplies I could get (no forage to be had), leaving our camp equipage and extra baggage. The command moved in the direction of Chattanooga, marched 11 miles, and went into camp. November 20, marched to Brown's Ferry. First Brigade crossed and encamped. I reported to Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, and was ordered to move my command up on the Dallas road, about 4 miles above Chattanooga, and go into camp in the valley near the Tennessee River before daylight, which was accomplished, although the Second Brigade was 6 miles in the rear. Remained in camp until the night of the 23d of November, when, in compliance with orders received from Major-General Sherman, I moved, at 12 o'clock, to the bank of the Tennessee River, nearly opposite the mouth of East Chickamauga Creek, in readiness to cross the river in pontoon-boats. At about 1.30 a. m. on the 24th, the boats arrived, and the First Brigade, followed by the Third and Second Brigades, crossed in perfectly good order. Upon reaching the opposite bank, in compliance with instructions previously received, Colonel Alexander, commanding First Brigade, deployed the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. J. E. Tourtellotte commanding, as skirmishers, so as to cover the brigade front, while the remainder of the First and Third Brigades intrenched themselves as rapidly as possible, so that by daylight, when the Second Brigade had crossed, the whole command was perfectly secure behind a good line of works. Daylight revealed a second ridge about 500 yards in advance of the first line. I ordered the command forward, and they again intrenched themselves. At this point Colonel Tourtellotte reported to his brigade commander the enemy's cavalry picket taken by his skirmishers. The Fourth Division having crossed the river, and taken the position assigned it on my right, I withdrew the Second Brigade, formed in column of regiments, to protect the right flank, and placed them in rear of my line. At about 1 p. m. I received orders to advance my column, formed by division. The skirmishers advanced steadily without much opposition until they gained the summit on the left of Missionary Ridge, where they met with quite spirited opposition, but soon drove the enemy's skirmishers from the ground. The First and Third Brigades were formed in two lines, the Second in reserve, and ordered to intrench themselves. One section of the Sixth Wisconsin Battery was ordered up to the hill, but owing to the poor condition of the horses it was found impossible to get it up without the assistance of the infantry. A detail of 200 men from the First Brigade soon had the guns in position on the right of our line. These dispositions being made, about 5 a. m., in compliance with orders from MajorGeneral Sherman, and in anticipation of an attack through the valley at the base of the ridge, I moved down with the Second and Third Brigades and placed them under cover of the woods, ready to act in any emergency that circumstances might require. I remained in this position, without receiving any orders, until 11 a. m. of the 25th, when Brigadier-General Ewing, commanding Fourth Division, on my right, sent to me for one brigade to enable him to close a gap in the valley, not covered by his men. Fearing that the enemy might attack at that point, I at once ordered the Third Brigade, Brigadier-General Matthies commanding, to report to General Ewing. An hour later General Ewing sent for another brigade when I promptly ordered out the Second Brigade, Colonel Raum commanding, to report to him. Following I found the Second Brigade placed in position on the right and about 20 paces in front of General Ewing's line of intrenchments, covering a position of his (General Ewing's) command to the extent of one-half of the Second Brigade front. I at once called upon General Ewing for an explana |