No. 213.

Report of Col. Francis C. Deimling, Tenth Missouri Infantry.

HDQRS. TENTH REGIMENT MISSOURI INFANTRY,

Camp near Chattanooga, Tenn., November 29, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by my regiment in the recent movement of the Fifteenth Army Corps in an engagement at Missionary Ridge.

At 12.30 of the morning of the 24th instant, in pursuance of orders from division headquarters, the Tenth Regiment Missouri Infantry, as a part of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, moved from the present camp to the Tennessee River, near the mouth of West Chickamauga Creek. About 4.30 a. m. the regiment commenced crossing the river in pontoon-boats, and finished about dawn, and took position in line in rear of the other regiments of the brigade on the river bottom. About 7 a. m., by order of Col. G. B. Raum, commanding brigade, I moved the regiment by the right flank to the right, and formed along the line of rifle-pits, facing down the river, and commenced deploying three companies as skirmishers to the front of said position. Before this movement was completed it was countermanded by same authority, and the regiment was marched by the left flank and formed in front of the brigade (it being ployed into column of regiments, and held as reserve to the First Brigade deployed in rear of a line of rifle-pits facing toward the Missionary Ridge).

At noon the regiment, in common with the other regiments of the division, was ployed into close column by division, and marched to the front toward Missionary Ridge. On arriving at the crossing of the railroad, and at the foot of the ridge, it marched by the left flank and took position in line of battle in rear of the Third Brigade. About sundown the regiment (and brigade) was ordered down the ridge and took position in a piece of woods on the left of the road to the river, and about half a mile from the foot of the ridge, where it bivouacked for the night.

Between 10 and 11 o'clock of the 25th instant, the regiment, by order of Col. G. B. Raum, marched from the last-mentioned position and formed on the left of the brigade, in front of a line of earthworks, occupied by a part of the Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, at the foot of Missionary Ridge, and at right angles to the same, facing toward Chattanooga. About 1 p. m. the brigade was ployed into close column by division, in two lines, the Tenth Missouri Infantry being on the left of the second line, and in that formation advanced about 500 yards, when it was moved by the left flank around the rocky base of a ridge (under an extremely heavy fire of shell and spherical case-shot from a rebel battery on Tunnel Hill), and along a road near the foot of a hill parallel with and to the left of Tunnel Hill, it there being formed on the left of the Fifty-sixth Regiment Illinois Infantry, as a part of the reserve to the Third Brigade, where it was exposed to a heavy fire from the crest of the ridge. The Third Brigade, and the Seventeenth Iowa and Eightieth Ohio Regiments, of the Second Brigade (the last named regiments forming the first reserve line), being pressed by the enemy in heavy force, were compelled to retire down the hill upon the Tenth Missouri Infantry, which advanced across a fence and took position to cover their retreat and check the pursuing enemy. About this time I was

informed that Colonel Raum was wounded and wished to see me in the road to the rear of my regiment. I went to him, and was informed by him that he understood that Colonel Wever, next in rank, was also wounded, and ordered me to take command of the brigade. I immediately returned to my regiment and turned over the command of the same to Lieut. Col. Christian Happel, and assumed command of the brigade.

I ordered the Tenth Missouri to commence firing upon the advancing enemy, which they did, and soon compelled the rebels to retire to the crest of the hill out of range, when I ordered the regiment to cease firing to avoid further injury to the wounded lying on the hillside. I thus held the position until informed by Lieutenant-Colonel Happel that the enemy was rapidly flanking us on our right, when I ordered the Tenth Missouri (the Eightieth Ohio and the Fiftysixth Illinois regiments being formed in their rear) to retire by the left of companies to the ravine, to the rear of the position then occupied. They having done so, I reformed the two last-mentioned regiments to the left of the Tenth Missouri Infantry, and ordered details from the three regiments, under a commissioned officer, to proceed to the battle-field in front, and bring off as many of the wounded as possible. While this was being done, I deployed two companies of the Tenth Missouri as skirmishers on the summit of the ridge to my front and right, and formed the Fifty-sixth Illinois and Eightieth Ohio Regiments in line in rear of a fence at the foot of the same, with the remaining eight companies of the Tenth Missouri as reserve, to repel an anticipated attack from the enemy. Soon afterward I received an order from General J. E. Smith that as soon as I had removed the wounded from the battle-field I should march the brigade to the earth-works, in front of which it had formed in the morning, and bivouac for the night. As soon as the officer in command of the details had reported that all the wounded had been removed who could possibly be taken off with safety to the details, I ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Metham, of the Eightieth Ohio, to remain with his regiment and guard the wounded until taken to the division hospital by the ambulances, and then marched the Fifty-sixth Illinois and Tenth Missouri Infantry to the point designated by General Smith, where I reported to Col. C. R. Wever, of the Seventeenth Iowa Regiment, who, being the ranking officer, took command.

On the morning of the 26th, the regiment with the others of the brigade and division started in pursuit of the enemy, crossing the Chickamauga Creek on a pontoon bridge near its mouth, and marched about 12 miles and bivouacked. At 8 a. m. of the 27th, marched 6 miles to Graysville, Ga., where the division remained for the day and night.

Being without rations, on the 28th instant, the division received orders to return to the present camp, and at 12 o'clock started, the Second Brigade being the rear guard of the ammunition trains of the Second, Third, and Fourth Divisions, Fifteenth Army Corps. We marched until 7 p. m., and bivouacked about 3 miles north of Chickamauga Station.

At 6 a. m. of to-day (29th), the division returned to the present camp, reaching the same about 10 a. m.

I desire to acknowledge the valuable services of Lieutenant-Colonel Happel, of this regiment, at all times during the action, and testify to his bravery and coolness under fire. What I have said of Lieutenant-Colonel Happel is applicable in the same degree to Major Walker, who was seriously wounded.

My thanks are due to Surg. P. J. Payne for his skill and care in attending on the wounded and dying.

During the period in which I was in command of the brigade I was much indebted to the following members of the brigade staff : To Capt. W. W. McCammon and Lieut. C. W. Woodrow during the action, and to them and Lieutenant Nichelson, while reforming the brigade, I owe my sincere thanks.

I am, sir, very respectfully, &c.,

F. C. DEIMLING, Colonel, Commanding Tenth Regiment Missouri Infantry. Lieut. M. NICHELSON,

A. A. A. G., 2d Brig., 3d Div., 15th Army Corps.

No. 214.

Report of Brig. Gen. Charles L. Matthies, U. S. Army, commanding Third Brigade.

HOSPITAL, THIRD DIVISION, 15TH ARMY CORPS,

Near Chattanooga, Tenn., November 29, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to Special Orders, No., the Third Brigade was in readiness, and moved in the night of the 23d and 24th in the rear of the First Brigade to the river bank; commenced crossing the Tennessee River in boats. Arriving on the south side, I formed the brigade on the right of the First Brigade, then already at work on their rifle-pits, on the crest of the hill and to the right in the corn-field, facing south, except the Fifth Iowa, which was formed in right angles to the rear, facing west, so as to serve a good protection on that flank. By order of General Smith, I wheeled my brigade to the right to a continuation of ridges toward the south, which brought me facing west, and my left connecting with the First Brigade; here I commenced to intrench. The Fourth Division (General Ewing's) had arrived on the south side of the river, and was forming in front of my brigade. General J. E. Smith ordered me to form in the rear of the left of the First Brigade, so as to be in my place in the order of march toward Missionary Ridge. The order for this movement was received between 2 and 3 p. m., and the brigade formed, in obedience to Special Orders, No.-, in close column by divisions, right in front, in the rear of First Brigade. The whole, by command of Brig. Gen. John E. Smith, was set in motion, advanced toward Missionary Ridge, and after very little delay, arrived at the crest of the hill. There I was ordered to form in two lines facing south. After a reconnaissance of our position by the general commanding division, I was ordered to intrench my command. Shortly after, however, this order was countermanded, and I was ordered to move my brigade down the ridge and form on the left of the Second Brigade, also moving down. Being a cloudy afternoon, it soon became dark. I was then ordered to bivouac in column by regiments, my left resting on the road, leading from the railroad to the river, my brigade facing south. The Fifth Iowa Infantry was thrown out as pickets parallel with the road, and well advanced to the front and facing west.

On the 25th instant, about 11 a. m., I received orders from Gen

eral John E. Smith, commanding division, to move my brigade to the rear of the right wing of General Ewing's division. My acting assistant adjutant-general, R. A. McKee, was sent at once to find where my position would be. Marched by the left flank toward the railroad in the following order: Ninety-third Illinois, Twenty-sixth Missouri, and Tenth Iowa. On reaching the point on the railroad where the Fifth Iowa was on picket I relieved the same, according to orders received, placing that regiment on my right. I marched the whole brigade by the front, facing west, until I arrived at some underbrush below the open field. Here I halted. Lieutenant McKee returned with the orders from General Ewing to report to Colonel Loomis and form in the field along the fence facing Tunnel Hill and rest there. Hardly had my line formed, the left wing of which (Ninety-third Illinois and Twenty-sixth Missouri) being in shelter behind a little ridge, when the enemy's batteries opened on my right wing, which compelled me to move the same in rear of the left wing. Colonel Loomis then went to General Ewing for instructions, and returning, said, "The order for you is to move your brigade up and take that white house," pointing to a house that was standing below and in front of Tunnel Hill. My line was instantly formed and the "Old Ironsides" moved up to work. The enemy's batteries opened on us from three points, Tunnel Hill and the hills on the right and left of it. We had lost but 2 men as yet. A ditch running through the center of the field caused some trouble in crossing. The enemy now had a good range on us; the men were put on the double-quick, and we gained the foot of the ridge. The white house was on fire. A road leads along the foot of the hill toward the white house. Here my brave men rallied at once. I ordered the Fifth Iowa to take possession of the white house and grounds, with instructions to secure the front and flanks well by skirmishers. I sent the Tenth Iowa to the right with orders to secure the right flank. The Twenty-sixth Missouri and Ninety-third Illinois remained in the road 20 yards to the rear, to the left of the right wing. The white house was now in flames. The incessant fire of musketry and artillery from the hills forming a half circle around me, made this a hot place. Colonel Putnam said the regiments on the hill had sent down for re-enforcements; with them they could hold the hill. I ordered Colonel Putnam to move up cautiously, and sent Lieutenant McKee back across the field to report that the white house was set on fire by the enemy and was in flames; that I held that ground; that I had sent one regiment up the hill to re-enforce the Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania, the commanding officer of which thought he could hold it (the hill). Batteries plowed the ground around us. I ordered the Twenty-sixth Missouri to occupy the place when the Ninety-third Illinois had left, it being less exposed, and the Fifth and Tenth Iowa to keep close to the hill. Lieutenant McKee returned with the order to hold that hill if possible, and that another brigade was coming up to our assistance. I ordered at once the Twenty-sixth Missouri to advance up the hill and form in rear of the Ninety-third Illinois; next the Tenth Iowa to form on the right of Ninety-third Illinois; sent my aide, Lieut. John Wright, to the colonel of Fifth Iowa to advance his skirmishers well to the front and right flank. These dispositions made, I ascended the hill, and on arriving there found the position as follows: Tenth Iowa on the left, Ninety-third Illinois and Twentysixth Missouri center, part of Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania between the Fifth Iowa and Ninety-third Illinois, to the extreme right

a heavy skirmish line of the Fifth Iowa Infantry. I was turning round to caution my men to fire low and sure. I was struck by a bullet in the head, which felled me to the ground. I regained consciousness in a few minutes, sent for Colonel Dean, of the Twentysixth Missouri, he being senior officer on the hill, turned over to him command of the brigade and orders I had received, showed him the position of the brigade, the safest route to fall back on, also the line of troops advancing to our assistance, and left the field for the hospital.

The long list of casualties will show the loss of many a brave and noble patriot. The loss of Holden Putnam, colonel Ninety-third Illinois, is felt severely by us all. With the colors in his hand, in front of his gallant regiment, defying the enemies of his country and cheering on his men, he was shot through the head and died instantaneously. Not often has it been the lot of one brigade to stand the brunt of battle as much as this. I name Iuka, Champion's Hill, Vicksburg, and Missionary Ridge.

Total loss of brigade in killed, wounded, and missing, 314.*
Ć. L. MATTHIES,

Capt. M. ROCHESTER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Brigadier-General.

No. 215.

Report of Lieut. Col. Nicholas C. Buswell, Ninety-third Illinois

Infantry.

HEADQUARTERS NINETY-THIRD ILLINOIS INFANTRY,

Near Chattanooga, Tenn., November 29, 1863.

SIR: In obedience to orders, as per circular of this date from brigade headquarters, I would respectfully report through you to the colonel commanding, that the Ninety-third Illinois Infantry was, by order of the general commanding brigade, drawn up in line of battle about 1 p. m. November 25, 1863, and ordered to advance upon the enemy. Moving forward about one-fourth of a mile, we halted for a few moments at the base of Tunnel Hill, so called. Resting here a short time, we had orders to advance to the top of the hill, which orders were promptly obeyed. The regiment moved forward in good line, though under heavy fire from the enemy. Resting once in the ascent we gained the top of the hill about 1.30 p. m. Advancing our line within 20 paces of the enemy's breastworks of logs and stone, behind which was planted a battery that poured grape and canister into our ranks continually, the engagement grew into a fierce battle. For two hours and a half we held our position at the brow of the hill. During this time the enemy made three attempts to charge over, but were as often repulsed. About 4 o'clock the regiment on our right gave way, and the enemy, with three well-formed lines of battle, charged us on the right flank, which obliged us to abandon our position. During the first half hour of the battle, Colonel Putnam, holding the colors in one hand and waving his sword with the other, all the time cheering on his men, was shot dead from his horse. Bravely and gallantly he led his regiment to the contest. But he fell. His loss we feel keenly. The regiment has lost a brave and gallant commander, and the country a willing, earnest, and able defender.

*See revised statement, p. 88.