have been instrumental in accomplishing such magnificent and important results with so little loss, and I can only attribute it to the care of that Providence who spread the mantle of his protection over us; and the bold impetuosity of my brave men that bore down, and gave the enemy no time to rally their broken columns. in the front line, and the fourth and fifth were formed in double column in the second line. The second battalion was on picket, and in position to be used as skirmishers. The entire battalion was deployed as such, and at the sound of the bugle, at two P.M., the entire brigade moved forward in exact order, and in two minTo the officers and men of General Geary's utes the skirmish line was sharply engaged with war-worn division, the heroes around whose that of the enemy, which gave ground after brows cluster the unfading laurels of Gettys- firing their pieces, and no considerable opposition burgh, we of the Cumberland extend a soldier's was felt after till we reached their first line of greeting and congratulation; they were our com-rifle-pits, about one half-mile to the rear of their panions in storming Lookout, and the best tes-picket-line, where the pickets and their reserves timonial we can give them of our appreciation of their bravery and endurance, is that we thought their valor and conduct worthy of our most energetic emulation. WALKER C. WHITAKER, BRIGADIER-GENERAL HAZEN'S REPORT. endeavored to check our advance; but, pushing the first battalion, that being immediately in front of their principal force, the work, situated on a rocky hill, was carried in the most handsome manner, capturing nearly the entire regi ment holding it, the Twenty-eighth Alabama infantry, with their colors. It was not accomplished, however, without serious cost to the Forty-first and Ninety-third Ohio. Major Birch, leading the latter, fell here; also, eleven of his men killed and forty-eight wounded. The Forty-first Ohio lost eleven men killed and fifty-two wounded. A. A. G., Third Division, Fourth Corps, Present: At twelve M., November twenty-third, I received orders to form my brigade near Fort Wood, and hold it in readiness to move in the direction of Mission Ridge (south-easterly) with the remainder of the division on a reconnoissance. The position assigned me was on the right of the front line. The brigade was formed Colonel Wiley and Lieutenant-Colonel Kimberly, of the same regiment, each had horses killed under them, and Colonel Berry, command This position was actually carried at the point of the bayonet, the enemy being captured behind their work by the men leaping over it. During the last half mile of this advance my right was entirely exposed, and suffered severely from an enfilading fire of the enemy. The night of the twenty-third was employed in strengthening our position by works, and the twenty-fourth was passed without engaging the in five battalions, as follows: First Battalion: Colonel Aquilla Wiley, Forty-enemy. first Ohio volunteer infantry, commanding, was At about eleven A.M., on the twenty-fifth, I composed of the following regiments, namely, was ordered to advance my skirmish-line suffiForty-first Ohio, Lieutenant-Colonel R. L. Kim- ciently to develop the enemy's strength behind berly, and Ninety-third Ohio, Major Wm. Birch. | his main line of breastworks at the foot of MisSecond Battalion: Colonel W. W. Berry, Fifth | sion Ridge, about one half-mile in our front. Kentucky volunteer infantry, commanding; of This was handsomely done under the immediate the Fifth Kentucky volunteer infantry, Lieuten-command of Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher, ant-Cololonel J. L. Trainor, and Sixth Kentucky volunteer infantry, Major R. T. Whitaker. Third Battalion: Lieutenant-Colonel E. B. Langdon, First Ohio volunteer infantry, commanding; of the First Ohio volunteer infantry, Major J. A. Stafford, and Twenty-third Kentucky volunteer infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel James C. Foy. Fourth Battalion: Lieutenant-Colonel James Pickands, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, commanding; of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, Major J. B. Hampson, and Sixth Indiana, Major C. D. Campbell. Sixth Ohio infantry. In this advance, Major S. C. Erwine, Sixth, Ohio infantry, was killed by a shell, and eight or ten others killed and wounded. At about three o'clock P.M., this day, I received orders to move forward with the remainder of the division and take possession of the enemy's works at the foot of Mission Ridge, taking cover behind them, and there to await further orders. The One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio was on picket and used as skirmishers. The other formations of battalions were similar to that on the twenty-third instant; the Sixth Kentucky reporting to Colonel Christopher, and acting with Fifth Battalion: Sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, the fifth battalion, and the Sixth Indiana, acting Lieutenant-Colonel A. C. Christopher, command- with the second; both lines were deployed; the ing. In all, two thousand two hundred and fifty-third and fifth battalions forming the first, and six effective officers and men. the first and second the second line. The first and third battalions were deployed! At the signal the brigade moved forward, and, simultaneously, a fire from at least fifty pieces engagement merits the highest praise of the of artillery, from the crest of Mission Ridge, was country. poured upon us. We moved in good order, at a Colonel Aquila Wiley, Forty-first Ohio, comrapid step, under this appalling fire, to the en-manding First battalion, was shot through the emy's works, which were situated about three leg, making amputation necessary. hundred yards below, and toward Chattanooga, from the crest of the ridge, the enemy fleeing from these works at our approach. The command, on reaching the enemy's works at the foot of the hill, covered itself, as ordered, on the reverse side as best it could, but very imperfectly, being so near and so much below the crest of the ridge. The musketry fire from the crest was now telling severely upon us, and the crest presenting its concavity toward us, we were completely enfiladed by artillery from both flanks. The position was a singular one, and can only be well understood by those who occupied it. The command had executed its orders, and to remain there till new ones could be sent would be destruction to fall back would not only be so, but would entail disgrace. The loss to the service of this officer cannot be properly estimated. He was always prompt and thorough, and possessed capacity and knowledge of his duties that never left him at fault. I know no officer of equal efficiency in the volunteer service, and none whose past services entitle them to better reward. The services and losses of his battalion, composed of the Forty-first and Ninety-third Ohio infantry, also stand conspicuous. Lieutenant-Colonel Langdon, First Ohio infantry, commanding Third battalion, was shot through the face just as he had reached the crest of the hill, and, after lying prostrate from the wound, again moved forward cheering his men. The services of this officer, in first gaining the crest, should be rewarded by promotion to the grade of brigadier-general. He has preOn commencing the advance, the thought of viously commanded a brigade with efficiency. storming Mission Ridge had not entered the Colonel Berry, Fifth Kentucky infantry, was mind of any one, but now the necessity was ap- again wounded, just as he had reached the crest parent to every soldier of the command. Giving at the head of his battalion, being the third rethe men about five minutes to breathe, and re-ceived in these operations. He, however, did not ceiving no orders, I gave the word forward, leave the field. A like promotion, in his case, which was eagerly obeyed. would be not only fitting but beneficial to the service. The forces of General Willich, on my left, had commenced the movement somewhat in my advance, and those of Major-General Sheridan, on my right, were a considerable distance in my rear. There were in my front the troops of General Breckinridge, forming the left of the enemy's centre. On the fall of Colonel Wiley, Lieutenant-Colonel Kimberly, Forty-first Ohio, assumed command of the First battalion, and, through the remainder of the engagement, fought it with his usual rare ability. Lieutenant-Colonels Christopher, Sixth Ohio Not much regard to lines could be observed, infantry, and Pickands, One Hundred and Twenbut the strong men, commanders, and color-ty-fourth Ohio, commanding battalions, rendered bearers took the lead, in each case forming the apex of a triangular column of men. These advanced slowly, but confidently; no amount of fire from the crest checking them. Lieutenant-Colonel Langdon, of the First Ohio, gaining a position where the conformation of the hill gave cover, till within three yards of the crest, formed several hundred men there, checking the head for that purpose; then giving the command, the column broke over the crest, the enemy fleeing. These were the first men of the entire army on the hill, and my command moving up with a shout, their entire front was handsomely carried. The troops on my immediate left were still held in check, and those on my right not more than half-way up the hill, and were being successfully held back. Hurrying my men to the right and left along the crest, I was enabled to take the enemy in flank and reverse, and, by vigorously using the artillery captured there, I soon relieved my neighbors and carried the crest within a few hundred yards of Bragg's headquarters; he himself escaping by flight, being at one time near my right, encouraging the troops that had checked Sheridan's left. The heroism of the entire command in this valuable and meritorious service. I have also to mention Corporal G. A. Kramer, company I, Forty-first Ohio, for his gallantry, in turning upon the enemy the first gun on the ridge, which he discharged by firing his musket over the vent. The same man, alone, ordered and received the surrender of twenty men with the colors of the Twenty-eighth Alabama on the twenty-third instant. Sergeant D. L. Sutphin, company D, Ninetythird Ohio, on reaching the crest, captured a stand of colors in the hands of its bearer. Corporal Angelbeck, company I, Forty-first Ohio, seeing a caisson filled with ammunition already on fire with two wounded horses attached to it, cut them loose and ran the burning carriage down the hill before it exploded. The colors of the First Ohio, the first on the hill, were carried, while ascending it, at different times, by the following men and officers: Corporal John Emery, company I, wounded. The foregoing are but a few of the many in stances of heroism displayed on this occasion deserving especial mention: Major William Birch, Ninety-third Ohio, and Major S. C. Erwine, Sixth Ohio infantry, who fell while leading their men, were soldiers of rare efficiency, and their loss will be severely felt by the service and lamented by their friends. My entire staff, as has always been the case in the numerous battles in which they have been engaged, conducted themselves with the greatest bravery and usefulness. In summing up the operations of the twenty-third and twenty-fifth, I have to report the capture of three hundred and eighty-two prisoners, besides a large number of wounded, of two stands of colors, of eighteen pieces of artillery, with their appendages, six hundred and fifty stand of small arms, a considerable quantity of clothing, camp, and garrison equipage, and eleven loaded wagons. Forty-nine of the enemy, including one colonel, were buried by my parties. Attention is called to reports of battalion commanders accompanying this paper. My entire casualties are as follows: On the morning of the twenty-eighth, we took up the march for this place, which was reached the evening of the seventh instant. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. B. HAZEN, HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION, SOLDIERS: Your General congratulates you upon the immortal deeds of the twenty-fifth. The enemy had fortified a position deemed impregnable by nature. You assaulted it; your colors were first on the heights. You hurled the enemy, terror-stricken by the heroic daring of your attack, from his stronghold, and eighteen pieces of artillery, two stands of colors, with numerous prisoners and small arms, are your trophies. Where can the enemy stand before your invincible ranks ? For your noble dead, a nation will weep; but let us, who knew them as worthy to stand with the noblest, remember that in a thousand battles a prouder death could not have fallen to their lot. W. B. HAZEN, Brigadier-General. COLONEL BERRY'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS FIFTH REGIMent Kentucky VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, KNOXVILLE, December 8, 1563. CAPTAIN: I respectfully subunit the following report of the operations of my command from the twenty-third of November to the seventh instant, inclusive. Being on picket in front of Chattanooga at two P.M., November twenty-third, I received orders to deploy my entire command, consisting of the Fifth and Sixth Kentucky volunteer infantry, as skirmishers. This done, the "Forward" was sounded, and the line advanced with great regularity. The enemy's pickets fell back rapidly on their reserves, which were strongly posted behind rifle-pits, on the crests of a series of knobs, some of which were timbered, others bare. At but one point along the line was the opposition strong enough to check the skirmishline, and this was but momentary, as the Ninetythird and Forty-first Ohio regiments came up in fine order, and the whole line went over the works, capturing the principal portion of the enemy's forces in them-flags, guns, accoutrements, and all. In this affair, Captain J. P. Hurley, one of my best officers, fell mortally wounded. He died next day. The service could not have met with a heavier loss in the death of a single individual. Major Whitaker, Sixth Kentucky, held his portion of the line fully up to the works. We held the position thus taken till the afternoon of the twenty-fifth, when I received orders to consolidate the Fifth Kentucky regiment with the Sixth Indiana volunteers, and be prepared to advance on the enemy at once. The position assigned me in the brigade was on the left of the second line. There was to be an interval of four hundred yards between the lines. At the proper time I advanced, and reached the enemy's second line of works a few moments after the first line of battle had occupied them. But hearing This was the extent of my orders. Lieutenant-Colonel Langdon, commanding that portion of the first line in my front, order it forward, I advanced simultaneously. In a little while, the lines became mingled, the strong men of each regiment outstripping the weaker in climbing the steep acclivity, and thus the heights of Mission Ridge were carried, and eighteen pieces of artillery captured, with, I believe, the entire force of the enemy in our front. Again I have to regret the loss of a capital officer, Captain Wilson, killed half-way up the ridge. Young, earnest, and brave, his country and comrades will never forget the sacrifice there made. The guns captured were immediately turned The rebel cannoneers good-naturedly assisted in upon the enemy in General Sheridan's front. this artillery practice, which to us was novel business. Lieutenant-Colonel Treanor, Fifth Kentuky, and Major Campbell, Sixth Indiana, merit the highest commendation for the energy and coolness with which they organized a body of men from all the regiments, and threatened to cut off the enemy to our right, thus relieving General Sheridan from a most determined opposition. The officers and men of my command cannot be awarded too great honor for their heroic conduct in this, the most fiery ordeal of the war. The whole thing was more a matter of individuals than of organization, and consequent ly the glory is more personal than in any battle ton, to act as flankers. Passing over a gentle I know of. My loss was heavy, but were the crest, which had been occupied by the rebel dead only living, I should esteem the triumph pickets, and into the dense undergrowth of oak cheaply purchased. The temporary absence, on in the valley beyond, the enemy's resistance beaccount of wounds received in this battle, of came suddenly obstinate. The skirmishers Captain Huston, Lieutenants Zoller and Thomas, could advance no further, but the main line went is a source of considerable embarrassment, as steadily forward for two hundred yards without they are most valuable officers. My color-bear- firing, though receiving a rapid musketry fire. er, Corporal Murphy, was killed within a few A good line of rifle-pits on a considerable crest, feet of the summit, in advance of the entire bri- a hundred yards to the front, was now distinctly gade. I had no braver man in my command. visible, and in these pits the rebel pickets had Adjutant Johnston and Surgeon Miller have my been rallied. Colonel Wiley sent notice of this thanks for the services rendered me, and I es- fact to his brigade commander, and received impecially commend Sergeants Wolf and McDer-mediately an order to take the rifle-pits and hold mont for their handsome behavior. You are the crest. Before the messenger bearing the orrespectfully referred to Major Campbell's report for those honorably mentioned in Sixth regiment Indiana volunteers. We remained on Mission Ridge till the evening of the twenty-sixth, when we moved to Chattanooga, to prepare to set out for Knoxville, which point we reached, after ten days' marching, on the afternoon of the seventh instant. Inclosed you will please find lists of the killed and wounded of the Sixth Indiana and Fifth and Sixth Kentucky infantry. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Captain CROWELL, Fourth Army Corps. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL KIMBERLEY'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS FORTY-FIRST INFANTRY, OHIO VOLS., CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the battalion under my command, which includes the Fortyfirst and Ninety-third regiments infantry, Ohio volunteers, from the time of breaking camp at Chattanooga, November twenty-third, 1863, to the present date. At the commencement of the operations, Colonel Aquila Wiley, Forty-first infantry, Ohio volunteers, was in command of the battalion; but the wounding of that officer, on the evening of the twenty-fifth, devolves upon me the duty of reporting the operations before I assumed command. der reached him, Cofonel Wiley had opened fire and led his battalion forward to within fifty paces of the rifle-pits. Here he met a severe fire from the front and right flank. At the latter point, the enemy's line of works bent toward his front, and enabled him to pour upon Colonel Wiley's line an enfilading fire. Near a fourth of the men were struck down here in advancing twenty-five or thirty paces, and the battalion was for a moment staggered by the withering musketry. It soon rallied, however, under the personal efforts of Colonel Wiley and his subordinates, and pressed forward over the rifle-pits. As soon as these were reached, the enemy's resistance ceased, and the men who occupied the pits generally surrendered, and were sent to the rear. A slight parapet for the defence of the position was at once constructed. The line to our right was also abandoned, almost immediately, and the battalion was left in quiet possession of the works, subject only to a cannonade of an hour from the enemy's batteries on Missionary Ridge. During the twenty-fourth and until afternoon of the twenty-fifth, the battalion remained in the position above described. At two P.M., of the twenty-fifth, the brigade was formed to carry the enemy's works at the foot of Missionary Ridge. Colonel Wiley's battalion was assigned a position on the right of the second line. The battalions of this line were deployed, having to pass for three fourths of a mile under fire of the enemy's batteries on the Ridge, before coming upon the works at the foot. Scarcely was the At noon of November twenty-third, the bat-line in motion before the enemy commenced a talion prepared to move from its camp near Fort furious cannonade from the Ridge, which was Wood, Chattanooga, upon a reconnoissance toward continued uninterruptedly until his batteries fell Missionary Ridge, and at two o'clock of that day into our hands. The works at the foot of the marched in line of battle with the brigade upon Ridge were carried by the skirmish-line, and the the enemy's rifle-pits, a mile in advance of the battalion moved up and covered itself behind Ridge. The position assigned this battalion was them as well as was possible. While lying here, upon the right of the first line, its front being Colonel Wiley, who had incautiously exposed covered by the Fifth Kentucky infantry as skir- himself, was struck by a canister-shot, which mishers. The advance for eight hundred yards shattered his leg. A few moments afterward, I from Fort Wood was over open ground; beyond heard the order from the brigade commander to this was a forest, in the skirts of which the en-assault the enemy's line at the summit of the emy's pickets were met, but gave way readily before the skirmishers. As the line advanced in support of the skirmishers, Colonel Wiley, seeing his right uncovered, sent two companies of the Forty-first regiment, under Major WillisVOL. VIII.-Doc. 15 Ridge, and the command of the battalion having devolved upon me, I at once ordered the men forward. Owing to the noise of the cannonade, and the fact that the men were lying flat upon their faces for cover, it was impossible to make third, Sergeant D. L. Sutphin, Ninety-third Ohio volunteer infantry, took a rebel flag on the Ridge, making two taken by the battalion. It would be presumption in me to speak in commendation of Colonel Wiley, or to say more than that the loss to himself is less than the loss to the service. Major William Birch, Ninety-third Ohio volunteer infantry, a brave and faithful soldier, fell on the twenty-third, while leading his men to the assault. The loss of the honored dead demands their country's mourning; but the manner of their death will be mentioned with just pri le always. The following is a statement of the casualties: NINETY-THIRD OHIO. this command heard along the entire line. After ments for gallantry in action and faithful per advancing briskly about fifty paces, perceiving formance of duty at all times. Corporal G. A. my men were not yet all up, I checked the move- Kramer, company I, Forty-first infantry, Ohio ment for a moment to close up the line. The volunteers, deserves especial mention for turning enemy's canister was thrown too thickly, how- the first gun on the enemy when the Ridge was ever, to permit an instant's halt here, and at my carried, and for capturing the flag of the Twen command the men promptly commenced the as-ty-eighth Alabama regiment. On the twentycent of the Ridge. This was very steep, and covered with stumps, logs, etc. The advance was made steadily, though of course slowly, and the nature of the ground prevented any attempt at the preservation of lines. When about two thirds of the ascent had been accomplished, I saw that the face of the hill where my battalion was moving was concave, and exposed to fire from the rifle-pits at the top, while a battery to the right enfiladed the line. To the left, fifty paces, the face of the hill was convex, and a part of the left battalion was moving up well covered, To take advantage of this, I closed to the left most of my men, and with the rest, who were now within thirty paces of the enemy's rifle-pits, opened a fire upon the battery to the right, which was throwing canister very rapidly. The fire of my men was very effective, the rebel gunners firing but two shots after we opened upon November 23,. them, when they deserted their pieces and ran. Half a dozen men of the Forty-first regiment, who were farthest to the right, at once seized the battery, and, turning it upon the enemy, Number engaged November twenty-thirdadded materially to the panic which had now commissioned officers, 9; enlisted, 191. Total, seized them. The party to my left, before allud- | 203. ed to as moving up the convex face of the hill, Number engaged, November twenty-fifthhad entered the enemy's rifle-pits, and the por- commissioned officers, 6; enlisted, 126. Total, tion of my battalion to the right of this was fast forming in them, when, going forward to look down the opposite slope, I discovered the enemy rallying just under the crest. Sending the colors of my regiment forward to the crest, the men were ordered to advance, when they dashed upon the enemy without waiting for command, and drove him entirely from the position. To the right, the enemy still held out, and my battalion, with others of the brigade, advanced along the ridge several hundred yards, when it was halted, and prepared to defend the place should the enemy attempt to retake it. No further fighting 132. DATE. 25,. Aggregate,. DATE. KILLED. WOUNDED. Off. Men. Off. Mea. MISSING. TOTAL. 12 3 42 2 19 57 24 15 November 23,.. 244. Number engaged, November twenty-thirdcommissioned officers, 11; enlisted, 230, Total, Number engaged, November twenty-fifthoccurred, and the evening was spent in collect-commissioned officers, 11; enlisted, 175. Total, |