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OFFICIAL 1 
 
 REPORTS OF BATTLES 
 
 KMHR I 
 
 ONEL WM.L >N'8 REPORT OF EXPEDITION TO BEY 
 
 REPORT "i LTION OF I I 
 
 TLB ROCE ; MAJOR - i, BTEY I I Of 
 
 BATTLE OE LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN ; AND LIEU! 
 A NT COLO N E L M A. II AYN1 F E N - 
 
 MENTSAT KNOXVILLE, LIMESTONB 
 i'.K AND CARTER'S STATION. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF COXGRI>S. 
 
 RICHMOND : 
 
 ^R. M. SMITH, TUBLIC PRINT EE. 
 
 1861 
 
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. 
 
 Richmond, Va., Feb. 15, 1S64. 
 To the Senate and House of R presentatives : 
 
 I herewith transmit, for your information, communications from 
 the Secretary of War, covering copies of several additionnl reports 
 of military operations. 
 
 JEFFERSON DAVIS. 
 
 COMMUNICATION FROM SECRETARY OF WAR. 
 
 Confederate States of America, 1 
 
 War Dep artment , > 
 
 Richmond, Va., Feb. 12, I8G-*. ) 
 
 To the President of the Confederate States : 
 
 !tmr : I have the honor to forward, for the information of Congress, 
 copies of the following reports : 
 
 Colonel William L. Jackson, and subordinate commanders, of expe- 
 dition to Beverly. 
 
 Major General Sterling Price and Colonel Dobbins, of evacuation 
 of Little flock. 
 
 I am, 6ir, very respectfully, your obedient servant. 
 
 JAMES A. SEDD' 
 
 Secretary of War. 
 
 COMMUNICATION FROM SECRETARY OF WAR. 
 
 Confederate States of America, ^ 
 
 War Department, \ 
 
 Richmond, Va., Feb. 13, 1864. ) 
 
 To the President of the Confederate States : 
 
 Sir : I have the honor to forward, for the information of Congress, 
 copies of the reports of Major General Stevenson and his subordi- 
 nates, of the battle of Chattanooga, and Lieutenant Colonel M. A. 
 Haynes, of engagements at Knoxville, Limestone Creek and Carter's 
 Station. 
 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JAMES A. SEDDON, 
 
 Secretary of War. 
 
EXPEDITION TO BEVERLY. 
 
 REPORT OF COLONEL WM. L. JACKSON. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS NEAR Hl'NTERS; II.I.I . ) 
 
 July 11, 1863. 5 
 
 . To Major Charles S. Strinopellow, 
 
 A. A. General, Southwestern Department of Va. : 
 
 Major: I have the honor to submit, herewith, the proceedings of 
 / the expedition to Beverly : 
 
 i'.i Monday, the 29th ultimo, the force under my command m 
 as follows : Detachment of cavalry, under command of Captain John 
 moved from Clov< r Lick to Big Spring ; detachment? of 
 cavalry, under command of Captain J. W. Mare!, 
 from a point near Green bank to Clover Lick; the infantry at this 
 camp, accompanied by a section of artillery, commanded by Lieu- 
 tenant F. G\ Thrasher, of Chapman's battery, moved to within five 
 miles of Big Spring; Captain John Righter, with his company of- 
 cavalry and parts of Campbell's, Arnett's and Evans' companies, 
 moved on to the Staunton and Parke rsbnrg turnpike, through what 
 u known as the Cheat Pass ; Licutcnaut Colonel A. C. Dunn, with 
 detachment of his battalion and Captain E. M. Corder's company, 
 accompanied by several excellent guides, on the same day moved 
 from llightown to a short distance beyond Slaven's Cabin, when he 
 took a route to the right, leading to the rear of Beverly on the 
 Phillippi road. 
 
 On Tuesday evening, the 30th ultimo, the infantry, artillery and 
 the detachments of cavalry, under Captains Marshall and Spriggg, 
 encamped a few miles beyond Valley mountain. 
 
 . On Wednesday evening, the 1st instant, Major J. B. Lady was 
 ordered, with two companies which he has raised under authority of 
 the Secretary of War, and parts of three other companies of my 
 command, to proceed to the rear of Beverly, on the road leading to 
 Buckhannon. He turned to the left about two miles and a half be- 
 yond the Crouch fortifications, and, by blind paths through the woods, 
 
succeeded, by his own indomitable energy, the assistance of his 
 guides, and the patient perseverance of his men, in reaching the 
 position. 
 
 He was ordered to close upon the enemy 'whenever he heard my 
 artillery. How he performed his duty will be seen by the report here- 
 with submitted. I am of the opinion, that, unaided as he was, in the 
 attack hereafter mentioned to have been made by Lieutenant Colonel 
 A. C. Dunn, he (Major Lady) accomplished all that he could under 
 the circumstances. I omitted to mention that I sent, to support 
 Major Lady in his rear, Sergeant Rader, with twenty mounted men, 
 to Middleford Creek bridge, eighteen miles in his rear. They per- 
 formed their duty faithfully. 
 
 On Thursday morning, at daybreak, I reached Huttonsville, and 
 found that Captain Righter, who had written instructions as to the 
 position of the pickets of the enemy to within five miles of Beverly, 
 and orders to capture them, permitting none to escape, was engaged in 
 executing his orders. He had surrounded the pickets at each post, 
 ana captured all, fourteen in number. Ascertaining the time when 
 the relief pickets would arrive, and that I had time to spare, under the 
 arrangement with Major Lady and Lieutenant Colonel Dunn, I sent 
 forward Captain Marshall, with a portion of his company, and he, in 
 connection with Captain Righter, so posted the men as to surround a 
 certain position when the relief came. The relief arrived in time, 
 fourteen in number, and they were all captured. The road was now 
 clear to within a mile and a half of Beverly, and the surprise would 
 have been complete, had it not been for a woman, who, in some way, 
 discovered our approach, and who met a party of about twenty-five of 
 the enemy, including the colonel commanding at Beverly, taking a 
 morning ride, unconscious of our proximity. 
 
 Within eight miles of the place I moved about two hundred men, 
 including the company of Captain George Downs, commanded by 
 Lieutenant William Harris ; Captain J. W. Ball's company, com- 
 manded by Lieutenant C. W. Mintcr, (Captains Down and Ball being 
 absent, sick;) parts of Young's and Lewis' companies, under Lieut. 
 R. D. Lurty ; Captain S. H. Campbell's company ; some recruits, 
 not organized, under Sergeant E. Tibb's, and some mounted men, 
 under Captain John M Burn, all under command of Major D. B. 
 Stewart, across the Valley river, on the Back road, so as to get on 
 the right flank of the enemy, and to be in position to co-operate with 
 or support Lieutenant Colonel Dunn, if he advanced. Major Stewart 
 performed the duty assigned him entirely to my satisfaction, and 
 gives, in his report, an account of his operations, a copy of which is 
 herewith enclosed. 
 
 I then moved to the front of Beverly, throwing forward the detach- 
 ment under Captain Spriggs, to the Burnt bridge, which was the 
 centre of my operations in front, Major Stewart being on the right, 
 and the detachment under Captain Marshall to the left, on the Back 
 road, leading to the Buckhannon road. A considerable force of the 
 enemy advanced on this road; but were promptly driven back by 
 Captain Marshall, assisted by a flank movement of Captain Spriggs. 
 
Such was the disposition of my* force, that the enemy were entirely 
 surrounded, if Lieutenant Colonel Dunn was in position, and he had 
 ample time and competent guides. The force of the enemy did not 
 exceed one thousand, including infantry, cavalry and artillery, of 
 which they had four pieces. My force exceeded theirs by at least 
 two hundred, including that under Colonel Dunn. At two o'clock, 
 P. M., I ordered my artillery to open, which was the signal for the 
 general attack to be made. ■ 
 
 From my position, having a clear view of the field, I saw no move- 
 ment on the part of Lieutenant Colonel Dunn. I then had my ar- 
 tillery supported by Cnptain Neal, with his and parts of two other 
 companies, (Captain Marshall also being in a position to support,) 
 placed in position on a hill opposite the position of the enemy, about 
 one mile distant, and then commenced an " artillery duel" (hoping 
 that time would be given to Lieutenant Colonel Dunn to come up and 
 take part,) in which the enemy had the advantage of position, num- 
 ber of pieces, and quality of ammunition. Not more than one in fif- 
 teen of our shells exploded. No material damage was inflicted or in- 
 curred. One howitzer was slightly disabled by a piece of shell, but 
 was soon soon rapaired. The enemy occupied a very etrong position 
 on Butcher's hill, in the rear of the town, near the Phillipi road. I 
 felt confident in the ability of my force, without the assistance of 
 that under Lieutenant Colonel Dunn, to drive them from that posi- 
 tion, but as my object was to capture, not to run them, I delayed the 
 assault, yet hoping to hear from and to see Lieutenant Colonel Dunn ; 
 but he was not to be found. 
 
 During the night I ordered Major Stewart back a short distance to 
 a safe position, holding the ground 1 had obtained during the day in 
 the front. Early the next morning, (the 3rd instant,) having heard 
 nothing from Lieutenant Colonel Dunn, I determined to assault the 
 position of the enemy. Accordingly, I ordered Major Stewart up to 
 the position he held the evening before. In advancing to do so, the 
 skirmish, referred to in his report, occurred. I dismounted a consid- 
 erable portion of my cavalry, and was moving to the assault, when I 
 discovered a reinforcement coming to the enemy on the Fhillippi road, 
 and was also advised of the same by Major Lady and Captain Mar- 
 shall. My own opinion is, that the reinforcement received numbered 
 at least seven hundred ; others, and prisoners, estimate it at a greater 
 number. I saw about seven hundred mounted men entering the 
 place. 
 
 Having now become satisfied that if Lieutenant Colonel Dunn ever 
 reached the position to which he was ordered, he had fallen back, and 
 that it was imprudent to continue the attack, I made demonstrations 
 in front for four hours, in the mean time drawing in the forces under 
 the command of Majors Stewart and Lady, and sending scouts to com- 
 municate with Lieutenant Colonel Dunn. 
 
 At two o'clock, P. M., of Friday, the 3rd instant, I slowly retired 
 in a manner to prevent my being flanked, or the enemy reaching my 
 rear. The enemy did not follow me on that day, and about nine 
 o'clock, P. M., I went into camp at the crouch fortifications with my 
 
* 8 
 
 infantry and artillery, posting my favalry between that point and 
 Huttonsville'. 
 
 It is proper now to state that Major J. R. Claiborne with a detach- 
 ment of one hundred mounted men of Dunn's battalion, who, on the 
 way, was ordered to follow me, (which order, left at Warm Springs, 
 he did not receive, and without it was coming up to reinforce me,) 
 was met, as I was falling back, about six miles this side of Beverly. 
 I left him in the rear during Friday night, as his men and horses were 
 comparatively fresh. 
 
 In the morning (the 4th instant,) I received dispatch number one, 
 from Lieutenant Colonel Dunn, a copy of which and copies of dis- 
 patches numbers two and three, are herewith enclosed. I immediately 
 ordered Major Claiborce to cross the river at the point he then was, 
 some four miles from Huttonsville, and more to a point near Stripes', 
 towards the Cheat Pass, and to communicate with Lieutenant Colonel 
 Dunn, who. was supposed to be coming that way. I ordered the de- 
 tachments, under Captains Marshall and Spriggs, to Huttonsville, to' 
 cover this movement of Major Claiborne, and masked my artillery 
 and infantry about one mile this side of the Crouch fortifications. 
 The force at Huttonsville was directed to fall back towards me in 
 good order^if any considerable advance was made by the enemy on the 
 route I was taking, and Major Claiborne or Lieutenant Colonel Dunn, 
 if he came up to Stripes', wag, in the event of such advance, to come 
 in upon the rear of the enemy, while I would attack them in front. 
 If there was no such advance by two o'clock, P. M., then Major 
 Claiborne or Lieutenant Colonel Dunn was to fall back towards High- 
 town, and the detachments at Huttonsville to fall back to me. Major 
 Claiborne reached the point near Stripes' and dispatched to Lieute- 
 nant Colonel Dunn ; but it now appears that he had fallen back to 
 camp Bartow, and was not advancing 
 
 A short distance beyond Huttonsville, soon after the arrival of the 
 detachments there, Captain Spriggs, being in front, had a skirmish 
 with the advance of the enemy, they falling back with a view, no 
 doubt, to draw him to their main force ; but, a3 ordered, Captains 
 Spriggs and Marshall fell back a short distance, and there awaited a 
 further advance. While this was going on, Major Claiborne so ma- 
 noeuvred as to disconcert the enemy, as was evident by the hesitation 
 and caution displayed. They did not anticipate the appearance of 
 any force at the point where he was, and could not comprehend its 
 strength. 
 
 Advised of this advance, I moved my infantry and artillery back 
 to the Crouch fortifications, directing the several detachments of cav- 
 alry to fall back slowly towards my position. This order was execu- 
 ted, the enemy advancing when the cavalry receded, and halting and 
 hesitating whenever they halted and formed line of battle. A junc- 
 tion being formed of the three detachments aforesaid, Major Claiborne, 
 by my order, took command of all my cavalry. The pursuing force 
 numbered about eighteen hundred. 
 
 Ascertaining that .the enemy would not advance on my position, or 
 risk a general engagement, and that the waters were rising rapidly in 
 
tny rear, I fell back with th-i main command to Marshall's store, an! 
 encamped there during the night, the cavalry encamping a few miles 
 in nn rear. While this movement was being accomplished, the enemy 
 fell back to Beverly. Lieutenant Colonel A. C. Dunn, it appears 
 from his own dispatches, was in position at the time appointed. He 
 was ordered to make a vigorous at;ack upon the rear of the enemy 
 whenever he heard my Bignal. This it was impossible for him to avoid 
 hearing. I am reliably informed, that instead of advancing and attack- 
 ing as ordered, he fell back when my signal was board. His dispatches 
 are contradictory in the atterant to explain thi ;ra If 
 
 movement. I have ftdt it my duty to order hiamnder arrest, and will 
 prefer charges. Mjjor J. R. Claiborne is now in command of the 
 battalion. 
 
 Our loss in the attack and various skirmishes is as follows : 
 Killed four; wounded five, and missing four. Among the killed wag 
 the gallant Lieutenant Wm. Harris, who died after being mortally 
 wounded, while bravely leading his men in a brilliant charge. 
 
 The loss of the enemy, from the best information I can obtain, is 
 as follows : 
 
 Killed forty ; wounded sixty seven; prisoners fifty £ . 
 We also captured a number of horses, cavalry equipment- and arms. 
 These I will send you a list of, and ask what disposition shall be made 
 of the horses as soon as I can get the necessary reports, which, owing 
 to the disposition of my force, rendered necessary to carry out my 
 orders, are delayed. 
 
 The officers and men of my command, with but few exceptions, per- 
 formed their duty faithfully and cheei fully throughout the whole ex- 
 pedition^notwithstanding but one, and the mul 
 
 and deep waters through which they were compelled to wade. 1 I 
 that the limits of this report will not admit of honorable mention of 
 all who exhibited personal bravery ar.d high soldierly qualities. 
 
 I am compelled, however, to bear testimony to the distinguished 
 conduct of Captains Sprij -hall, Righter, and Elihu Hutton, 
 
 and Lieutenant Thrasher, of the artillery, and Lieutenant Jacob W. 
 Wamsly. I was much indebted throughout to Captain Marshall on 
 account of his thorough knowledge of the country, personal bravery 
 and excellent judgment. 
 
 Accompanying this report is a rough and somewhat imperfect plot 
 of the country, the various routes taken, and the prominent points, 
 which will give a general idea of my movements. 
 
 Very respectfullv, vour obedient servant, 
 
 WM. L. JACKSON, 
 Colonel nineteenth Regiment Virginia cav dry. 
 
LIEUTENANT COLONEL DUNN TO COLONEL JACKSON. 
 
 Headquarters Thirty- seventh Battalion, 
 Camp Tilghman, Hightown, July 9, 1863. 
 
 Colonel Wm. L. Jackson : 
 
 Colonel: Your communication of the 4th instant was handed me 
 by Major Claiborne on yesterday. I am now in position at High- 
 town, carrying out my orders from you, I having a company at Mon- 
 terey, which company are picketing and scouting as far as Franklin, 
 in Pendleton county. I am diligently scouting, and I shall figbt the 
 enemy if ever they should advance. I have sent to Staunton for 
 twenty days' rations for my command. I am sorry our plans were 
 not successful in capturing the enemy. I was in my position two 
 hours before the time given by you, and have done everything in my 
 power to carry out your orders, and, in fact, have done more than 
 you ordered me to do. Mr. Caplinger, one of my guides, left, near 
 Beverly, on Tuesday. He says the enemy reinforced some two thou- 
 sand five hundred men, and on Friday morning, shortly after, I fell 
 back. They advanced and secured the position I held, thinking I was 
 still there. They could not find out how I got in their rear or how I 
 went out. He says the reinforcements had left for Grafton, leaving 
 Colonel Harris' forces still in Beverly. 
 
 I am, Colonel, your obedient servant, 
 
 A. C. DU^N, 
 Lieutenant Colonel commanding. 
 
 I certify this to be a true copy. 
 
 W. S. Lurty, Adft \9th Va. Cavalry. 
 
REPORT OF MAJOR LADY. 
 
 Headquarters Lady's Battalion, ) 
 Camp Northwest, July 11, 1863. $ 
 
 \V. L. Jacksov, 
 
 Colonel Commanding : 
 
 Sir : In compliance with your orders of the 28th ultimo, at h.ilf- 
 past ftur, P. M., I proceeded to the rear of the enemy on the Buck- 
 hannon road, with five companies, commanded by the following offi- 
 cers : Captains Evans, Arnett, Hayhurst, Duncan, and Lieutenant 
 Boggs, making a total, rank and file, one hundred and fifty strong. After 
 n forced march of twelve miles, over a series of the most rugged and 
 pathless ridges of a densely timbered mountain section of country, 
 fording streams, &o., I reached the base of Rich mountain at three 
 o'clock, A. M , of the 29th ultimo. The men being exhausted and una- 
 ble to advance without rest, I halted two hours. At the command "halt," 
 the men dropped from their feet and slept till five o'clock, A. ?>!., 
 when, at the command "fall in," though weary and foot-sore, they 
 cheerfully and promptly responded, and I proceeded as far as Ann- 
 strong's cabin, near the summit of the mountain, where I allowed 
 the men to wash and fill their canteens. Here Mr. Armstrong prof- 
 ferred his services to open a road, as the brush was so thick an to 
 render it almost impossible to pass through between this point and 
 the road, at which point I arrived at ten o'clock, A. M., being five 
 miles west of Beverly. I halted my men near, but concealed from, the 
 road, where they were shaded and in reach of pure water. I imme- 
 diately threw forward a picket of twenty men, under command of 
 Lieutenant Hunt, with orders to proceed carefully, without causing 
 alarm, to within two miles of Beverly, and take a concealed position 
 commanding the road, where he would be enabled to notify me of the 
 movements of the enemy and cut off all communication on the road, 
 and at the first report of artillery to move forward and "cut off" the 
 enemy's picket. I also sent a courier to notify Colonel Dunn of my 
 position and my readiness to co-operate with him in any movement 
 on the town. At one o'clock Lieutenant Hunt sent in two prisoners, 
 who were going home on furloughs granted by Colonel Harris, com- 
 manding the enemy's forces, whose statements corresponded with 
 your previous information, except in reference to the reinforcement 
 expected that day. I remained in this position till three o'clock, Pi 
 M., when the "signal gun" was fired, when I immediately ordered my 
 men in line of march and moved rapidly forward to within a mile and 
 a quarter of town, taking a position which I could have held against 
 any force the enemy could have brought from town. This position 
 was at the first abrupt turn in the road west of the Baker house. I 
 then sent forward Captain Arnett to take a concealed position in 
 front, sweeping the road and commanding the only position on which 
 the enemy could have posted artillery, without first driving him back 
 
12 
 
 •with an infantry force, to have done which, would have brought them 
 under fire of the reserve of my command on their left flank. I at 
 the same time sent forward Captain Evans, with a squad, to recon- 
 noitre between me and the town and examine the fortifications near 
 the Baker house. In an hour he reported that the enemy had evi- 
 dently determined to make a stand in town and that a strong position 
 could be taken beyond the Baker house, near the old breastworks. I 
 moved forward my command as far as practicable without bring- 
 ing it in range of the enemy's artillery, and halting the command, I 
 went forward and examined the ground in front and fully approved 
 the position selected by Captain Evans. I then moved my men for- 
 ward to a strip of woods, near where I had first halted them and 
 allowed them to remain there till I could move them under cover of 
 night to the position selected. About this time the cavalry scout 
 reported to me that they had carried out all their instructions, besides 
 finding the notorious Yankee spy and bushwhacker, Simmons, in his 
 own house. On demanding of him a surrender, he peremptorily 
 refused, and commenced firing, killing private Dent, of com- 
 pany, a gallant soldier, whereupon our men returned the fire, killing 
 him, four balls passing through his body. I immediately ordered 
 them to endeavor to open communication with Colonel Dunn, which, 
 up to that time, I had been unable to do, having had no mounted men 
 with me, and my dismounted men- being too much fatgued to attempt 
 it. I placed Captain Evans, with forty men, on the road to blockade 
 and picket the same, and open the engagement should the enemy ad- 
 vance or evacuate the town. I at the same time posted Capt. Arnett, 
 with his company, on the adjacent height to support Captain Evans, 
 reserving the companies of Captains Havhurst, Duncan, and Lieu- 
 tenant Boggs, under my command. We remained in this position till 
 the morning of the 30th. At about eight o'clock the cavalry reported 
 that they had not been able to open communication with Colonel 
 Dunn. An hour after this time, and while the cavalry were grazing 
 their horses, the front of the enemy's reinforcement, which I esti- 
 mated at soven hundred strong, appeared on the Phillippi road, ad- 
 vancing rapidly in the direction of Beverly and getting within a milo 
 of mj position. I sent a squad of cavalry to reconnoitre and ascer- 
 tain more definitely their number and report their movements. I at 
 the s*me time dispatched a courier notifying you of this reinforcement. 
 At about half-past nine, A. M., from the movements of the enemy's 
 infantry,, cavalry, and artillery, I was assured that they intended 
 turning a force on me for the purpose of cutting off my retreat. One 
 piece of their artillery being so placed as to sweep the road on my 
 line of retreat, and deeming it inexpedient unnecessarily expose 
 my men, I fell back to the position first described, on entering the 
 road so as to protect them from the range of artillery, allowing Lieut. 
 Clancy to remain to notify the squad of cavalry of the change, and 
 ordering them, through him, to report to me forthwith on their return 
 from their reconnoitre. While in this position, your first dispatch 
 came to me, ordering me to "fall back and join you immediately, and 
 should the enemy attack me to fight him and fall back," which I 
 
13 
 
 v. 
 
 had already prepared to do. I had sent Lieutenant Toe forward, with 
 a squad of ten men, as an advanced guard, and Captain Duncan, with 
 ten men, back, as a rear guard, to notify mo of the enemy's approach 
 from either direction. From this point and in this order I joined 
 you without any interruption whatever. 
 
 My thanks are due to the officers and men under my command for 
 the patience and endurance exhibited on this fatiguing expedition, 
 and for the prompt manner in which they responded to all calls made 
 upon them. And I am especially indebted to Captains Evans and 
 Arnett for their valuable assistance in selecting positions and the 
 skillful handling of their men. 
 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN B. LADY, 
 Major co?nmandi?)g detachment. 
 
REPORT OF MAJOR STEWART. 
 
 Camp Northwest, July 9, 1863. 
 
 Colonel W. L. Jackson, 
 
 Commanding Huntersville Line : 
 
 Sir : I herewith transmit the following report of the part taken by 
 me and the troops I had the honor to command during the late invest- 
 ment of Beverly, in Randolph county, Virginia: 
 
 After leaving you below Huttonsville, on the morning of the 2nd 
 instant, we moved forward as directed on the Back road, as fast as 
 the condition of the men would permit; received a dispatch from 
 Captain Marshall, to which I replied, as I dispatched to you^from 
 Mr. Wamsley's. As I had information from the front that was 
 entirely satisfactory, I depended entirely on my cavalry scouting the 
 road till some two miles above Henry Harper's, where I detached 
 Captain Campbdll's company, and ordered it to deploy on my right 
 as skirmishers. 
 
 I had been informed by soldiers, who reported to me at Wamsley's, 
 that they had scouted the road from a short distance above Burnt 
 bridge, that the enemy had no picket at Harper's house. I moved 
 my skirmishers so as not to discover my approach to the enemy till at 
 a point opposite Ward's, from which the position of the pickets could 
 be determined. I here found them still in position at Harper's house, 
 and accordingly detailed twenty-five men and sent them forward to 
 take possession of both roads beyond their post. With them I sent my 
 two guides, Wamsley and Currence. Shortly after they had moved 
 forward, a courier came from below (from Beverly, perhaps,) and, on 
 his approach, they withdrew, at a full run, in the direction of Beverly. 
 Seeing that all chance of their capture was now at an end, I moved 
 my infantry forward, moving my skirmisher near the road, where 
 there were woods to conceal them, and out of sight of the road, where 
 there were none, while I made a detour to the right with the main 
 body. Captain Burns I left with the cavalry at Ward's, where they 
 were concealed from below. On reaching the crest of the first ridge, 
 of which there was a complete succession, running at right angles to 
 the river and road, I discoved a scouting party, numbering eight, of 
 cavalry, coming on the road from the direction of Beverly. I here 
 directed a message to be sent to Captain Burns, informing him of 
 their approach, which I learn he did not receive, though it was unne- 
 cessary, as he could not but discover their approach. We then moved 
 forward so as to gain the top of the next ridge, which we did just in 
 time to prevent the scouts being fired on by Captain Campbell, who 
 had halted, and his men were in the act of taking aim when his scouts 
 passed up, six in number, two having halted at Harper's. I ordered 
 him not to fire, and as soon as I could do so without giving any 
 alarm, moved the head of the column forward to the position occupied 
 hj Captain Campbell, reaching this just a Captain Burns opened fire 
 
15 
 
 on them, and ordered a charge from his position above. I moved my 
 right down to the road with orders to fire on them in case they could 
 not halt them. Not reaching the road in time they fired, killing three 
 and wounding one — one having been wounded in Captain Burns' fire, 
 and one, by having his horse shot under him, v, as thrown in a fence- 
 corner and taken prisoner. The whole six were thus killed, wounded 
 or taken prisoners. One of the killed we found to be Clay Ward, a 
 son of the Mr. Ward at whose house we had halted. We here took 
 three head of horses, which were brought off; one escaping, wounded, 
 and one being so badly wounded as to be unfit for service, and one being 
 killed; and, I presume five sabres, five Colts pistols, and five Sharpe's 
 carbines, though they were not all reported to me. We pursued the 
 two scouts who had halted at Harper's, but as the flanking party sent 
 out by me had not gotten in position on the road towards the Burnt 
 bridge, they escaped in the direction of Beverly. 
 
 As your artillery had not yet opened fire, I here halted, and ordered 
 back my flankers, and again moved as directed by your dispatch dated 
 one o'clock, P. M. Some delay was here caused to our movements 
 on account of the non arrival of my scouts or flanking party from 
 above the Burnt bridge, who had not gotten in position when my mes- 
 senger arrived at the point to which they had been sent. I moved, 
 however, as nearly as I could in the direction of the Earl hill, at 
 twenty minutes to two o'clock, P. M., without my guides, and the 
 road being blockaded above, I moved across the country, keeping my 
 skirmishers well out in front and halting them at intervals. The 
 woods being so dense they could not see each other but occasionally, 
 we could move but 6lowly, and cur course was not direct, on account 
 of the difficulties already mentioned. Indeed, I was thrown almost 
 entirely on my own resources, as Lieutenant Wamsley knew nothing 
 but the general course. With the arrival of my guides, whom I had 
 directed to come up, I received a dispatch from you requesting me to 
 move so as to support Captain Marshall if he moved towards the Earl 
 hill. I was at that time in no position to see any movements that 
 were making on my left, and as I had not sufficient cavalry to scout 
 the country, all I could do was to move so as to gain a point from 
 which 1 could do as you directed. And at about five o'clock, P. M., 
 I reached Fontaine Butcher's farm, on the hill immediately south of 
 Files' or Philles' creek. Here I found myself some half a mile to the right 
 of the Earl hill, but was enabled to get a full view of the position of the 
 enemy on Butcher's or Callett's hill, northeast of Beverley, where he 
 had his artillery planted. Here I sent out scouts to find out whether 
 Captain Marshall had made the movement indicated, and also dis- 
 patched to you. I intended moving to the Earl hill after sunset. 
 Why I did not bring on an action you know. At half-past seven 
 o'clock, I received your dispatch ordering me to take position above 
 Harper's, which I reached by the Back road at half-past eleven 
 o'clock, P. M. 
 
 On the morning of the 3d instant, I moved, at fifteen minutes to 
 seven o'clock, being compelled to delay longer than I had intended 
 in order to find the command. Aud at this point I had to leave about 
 
16 
 
 thirty men, who were unable to march. These I ordered up to Henry 
 Harper's to be u-;ed in case I should need them. I moved forward, 
 sending my cavalry ahead to scout the road, and detaching an advance 
 guard from Captain Downe's company, which I passed under the 
 command of Lieutenant Morgan. 
 
 In this manner I was enabled to reach the point indicated by you, 
 much sooner than I could otherwise have done, and as your order to 
 me was imperative, I did not hesitate to move in this manner, and, in- 
 deed, I consider as it safe as any I could have adopted on such ground. 
 
 On reaching Daniel's farm, at the top of the hill, on this side of 
 Files' creek, and where there is a road leading to the Earl hill, I detached 
 Captain Young, with his cavalry, to scout the roads, and ordered Cap- 
 tain Burns forward to reconnoitre the position I had occupied on the 
 previous evening, and moved my infantry forward in supporting dis- 
 tance, in case he was attacked. On consultation with Lieutenant 
 "VVamsley, (and you had requested me to give his opinions due con- 
 sideration,) I agreed to move my infantry to nearly their old position, 
 ■which I would not have done if I had not taken his advice, but wculd 
 have placed them on the right in a wood land. 
 
 As you had dispatched to me that you were " about to dismount 
 Sprigg's command and send them in the rear or flank of the enemy," 
 and added, " you may come up with him or he with you," I directed 
 scouts to be sent towards Earl hill, supposing he might come up from 
 that point. As there was but a small skirt of woods, and part of that 
 cut away, I deemed it safer to send but the cavalry forward, after- 
 wards moving up the infanty, and resting in place preparatory to 
 moving forward in line of battle, the ground having been passed over 
 by Captain Burns. 
 
 Your artillery had now (fifteen minutes to'nine o'clock, A. M.) 
 nearly ceased playing, and no firing of small arms being heard, I 
 wrote a dispatch to Captain Young, directing him to scout fully the 
 road in the direction of Earl's hill. And I was on the point of send- 
 ing one to you informing you where I was, etc., I was fired on 
 by the enemy in ambush, the first fire, a single shot, striking my horse. 
 I immediately ordered the men to " fall in," and on that order being 
 given the fire became general along the enemy's line, which I then 
 discovered to be an extended one, and at some forty or fifty yards 
 distant, except a right flank, now left, as we found, for action, faced 
 to the rear. This fire at first produced some excitement along the 
 line, and produced a little wavering which pervaded the action till 
 nearly its close. A simultaneous movement was immediately ordered 
 of the whole line, and the battalion now rushed forward with deafen- 
 ing cheers on the position of the enemy in our immediate front, giving 
 him a raking 6re, which we were enabled to do before he could reload. 
 A few, however, had either reserved their fire, or had gotten their 
 srms reloaded, and gave us one fire, sharp and scattering, at which 
 time Lieutenant William Harris, commanding Captain Downe's com- 
 pany, fell mortally wounded, while gallantly loading his company. 
 The men, with few exceptions, now pressed forward, and the route of 
 the enemy became complete. And as he was formed with a stout worm 
 
17 
 
 fence, staked and ridered, in his rear and on his left, and another old 
 worm fence, grown up with undcrbu^h, on his right, leaving but a sin- 
 gle place for his men to retreat through, so that in their attempt to 
 retreat our men were enabled to deliver their fire with such deadly 
 aim that fourteen of his killed and wounded were left immediately on 
 the ground. The skirmish now became a running one, our men fol- 
 lowing and firing, the enemy retreating and not returning our fire. 
 
 On the right where I now was, I saw three of the enemy fall while 
 running through an oat field, and from the most reliable information 
 I could get, and from a report made me by Lieutenant Lake, who 
 afterwards examined the field, some fourteen at least of the enemy 
 were left in different portions of the field, making in all, from thirty 
 to thirty-five of the enemy left on the field, not including those 
 wounded slightly. 
 
 Our loss was trifling compared with theirs, and consisted of the fol- 
 lowing: Captain Down's company, Lieutenant Wm. Harris command- 
 ing: Killed — First Lieutenant Wm. Harris; wounded — Private 
 Richard Wine, in side slightly ; Captain Bell's company, Lieutenant 
 Minter commanding : killed — none; wounded — Privates Daniel B. 
 May, in side badly, John S. Robertson, in arm, Leonard Radcliffe, in 
 arm slightly; Captain Campbell's company: killed — Private Alfred 
 Owens ; wounded — Second Sergeant Henry Smith, badly ; Randolph 
 Wamsley, Captain Marshall's company, guide, wounded mortally. 
 Killed three; wounded five. 
 
 It would afford me great pleasure to bear testimony to the several 
 acts of gallantry performed by the several companies I commanded. 
 I must here bear testimony to the good conduct of Lieutenant Wains- 
 ley, of Captain Marshall's company, who advanced with the first 
 charge calling out, " come on, don't let the d — d Yankees whip us 
 on our own soil;" to Lieutenant J. G. Gittings, my acting adjutant, 
 who rendered me valuable assistance by bringing up the right with 
 loud cheering, and to that of Randolph Wamsley, of Captain Mar- 
 shall's company, who rushed into the fight, though acting only as a 
 guide, but who, I am sorry to record, fell, mortally wounded. After 
 falling back the troops, and rallying them on the ground where the 
 skirmish took place, I had the wounded cared for, and, communicating 
 with my cavalry command, I ordered the infantry back to a rise imme- 
 diately in my rear, where Icould not be flanked, and sent out a picket 
 to occupy the ground in front of where the skirmish took place. 
 
 Here I received your dispatch ordering me to fall back to Ward's, 
 which I immediately proceeded to do, going to the rear to attend to 
 the wounded, and have the dead interred. The wounded I had taken 
 to Mr. W. Daniel's, and made arrangements to have them cared for; 
 the citizens agreeing to have the dead decently buried. In falling 
 back to Huttonsville, I made arrangements to have all my broken 
 down troops brought up, ordering my cavalry to dismount in order to 
 bring them up. 
 
 As you are fully aware of the condition in which I turned over the 
 command to you, allow me to subscribe myself, 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 2 D. BOSTON STEWART, Major, *c. 
 
18 
 
 P. S. The enemy's force, in the skirmish, on the morning of the 3d 
 instant, as stated by his wounded, amounted to over two hundred men. 
 Ours did not amount to more than one hundred and forty men in 
 infantry, Our cavalry was not in the action. 
 
 Respectfully, &c, 
 
 D. BOSTON STEWART. 
 
EVACUATION OF LITTLE ROCK- 
 
 REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL PRICE. 
 
 Headquarters Trice's Division, > 
 Camp Bragg, Nov. 20, 1863. y 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel John F. Belton, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General, District of Arkansas : 
 
 Colonel: I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
 military operations which terminated on the 10th of September, in 
 the evacuation of Little Rock by the forces then under my com- 
 mand 
 
 Having been notified, on the 23rd of July, that Lieutenant General 
 Holmes desiied to relinquish his command to me, during the contin- 
 uance of his severe illness, I left Des Arc, the then headquarters of 
 my division, the same day, and, having reached Little Rock the next,, 
 assumed command of the district of Arkansas. 
 
 Being satisfied that the enemy was about to advance in heavy 
 force upon Little Rock, I sent orders the same day to Brigadier 
 General Frost, commanding the defences of the lower Arkansas, near 
 Pine Bluff, to move at once, with his infantry and artillery, to Little 
 Rock. 
 
 Orders were also sent, on that day, to Brigadier General Fagan„ 
 upon whom the command of my division (Fagan's, Parson's and 
 McRae's brigades of infantry,) had devolved, directing him to with- 
 draw his forces from Searcy and Des Arc and to take position upon 
 Bayou Metoe, about twelve miles northeast of Little Rock. On the 
 next day I ordered Brigadier General Marmaduke, commanding a 
 division of cavalry, to establish his headquarters near Jacksonport, 
 and to dispose his troops so as to observe and retard the movements 
 of the column of Federal cavalry which was then advancing into north- 
 eastern Arkansas from Missouri. 
 
20 
 
 Brigadier General Walker, commanding a brigade of cavalry, was, 
 on the same day, ordered to remain with his command in the vicinity 
 of Helena, for the purpose of watching the enemy in that direction 
 and checking his advance from that point. These were the only 
 troops at my disposal for the defence of Little Rock, except a very 
 weak regiment, a small battalion, and a few unattached companies of 
 cavalry, 'which I kept on the south side of the Arkansas, picketing the 
 country from Little Rock to Napoleon, and thence to the boundary of 
 Louisiana. Brigadier General Steele, commanding in the Indian ter- 
 ritory, was already hard pressed by the enemy, and on the defensive, 
 and could not spare a man. 
 
 I -wrote to the Lieutenant General commanding the department, on 
 the 27th of July, communicating these facts to him, and stating that, 
 whilst I should attempt to defend Little Rock, as the capital of the 
 State and the key to the important valley of the Arkansas, I did not 
 believe it would be possible for me to hold it with the force under my 
 command. 
 
 About this time I commenced the construction of a line of rifle 
 pits and other defensive works on the north side of the Arkansas, and 
 about two and a half miles in front of Little Rock, and pushed them 
 forward to completion as rapidly as I could. 
 
 The continued advance of Davidson's column of Federal cavalry 
 making it hazardous to retain Walker's brigade any longer on the 
 eastern side of White river, I ordered him, on the 2d of August, to 
 move it to the western side of that stream. As soon as this was 
 done, the enemy unveiled his intention to cross White river at Clar- 
 endon, and I consequently moved Walker's brigade, and Marmaduke's 
 division of cavalry, both under command of Brigadier General L. M. 
 Walker, to that vicinity. 
 
 Tappan's brigade (which had been detached from my division sev- 
 eral months before, and which had been ordered back to Arkansas by 
 Lieutenant General Smith) having reached Little Rock, whither I had 
 ordered it to move by rapid marches, I directed Brigadier General 
 Frost to move his brigade to northern side of the river, and to assume 
 command of my division, which comprised all the infantry near Little 
 Rock, except Tappan's brigade, which I held in reserve on the south 
 side of the river. 
 
 Seeing that the position on Bayou Metce could be easily turned, and 
 that it was otherwise untenable, I ordered General Frost, at the same 
 time, to withdraw his entire command within the line of defences, to 
 which I have before referred, and upon which I continued to labor 
 both night and day. 
 
 The enemy continued to advance. Meanwhile my cavalry, under 
 Generals Marsh Walker and Marmaduke, falling back before him, 
 but contesting stubbornly every mile, until I ordered General Walker, 
 on the 23d of August, to take position on Bayou Metce, with the 
 whole of his and Marmaduke's cavalry, and to hold it as long as 
 possible. 
 
 About midday, on the 27th of August, he was attacked in this 
 position, by the enemy, in greatly superior force, and with consider- 
 
21 
 
 able spirit. The engagement lasted until dark. My troops, which 
 ■were under the immediate command of Brigadier General Marma- 
 duke, behaved admirably, and the enemy was repulsed, with heavy 
 loss. 
 
 General Walker, fearing, from the indications given, that the enemy 
 was about to flank his position, withdrew his troops after dark. The 
 enemy also retired from the field, leaving his dead unburied. Know T 
 ing that if I delayed the removal of the public stores from Little 
 Rock until the eve of its evacuation, the greater part of them would 
 be lost, in consequence of the insufficiency of transportation, I had, 
 very soon after assuming command of the district, ordered the chiefs 
 of the several staff departments to send their stores to Arkadelphia as 
 speedily as possible ; removing first such as were least likely to be 
 required by the army. These officers were zealously executing this 
 order when intelligence reached me, (on the 23th of Augu-t.) th it 
 the enemy was occupying Monroe, Louisiana, in force, and thereby 
 not only endangering the valuable stores at Cauvlen, but menacing 
 nay line of retreat. A few days later, I received a communication 
 from Brigadier General Cabell, informing me that Brigadier Geueral 
 Steele, commanding the Confederate forces in the Indian Territory, 
 was falling back towards Texas, before a superior force, and that he 
 himself had been driven by the enemy from Fort Smith, and was tl^en 
 retreating in the direction of Caddo Gap. These facts necessitated 
 still greater activity in the remcvalof the public stores from both 
 Camden and Little ltock ; and orders to that effect were consequently 
 given, 
 
 I continued, meanwhile, to strengthen the defences on the north 
 side of the river, and to perfect the means of communication between 
 the two banks of the Arkansas, so as to be able to throw my forces 
 readily from the one side to the other, and particularly to secure the 
 safe withdrawal of my army from the northern side of the river, in 
 the event of defeat. My troops were at this time in excellent condi- 
 tion, full of enthusiasm, and eager to meet the enemy ; but I had 
 barely eight thousand men, of all arms, whilst the enemy had brought 
 against me nearly, or quite, twenty thousand. My only chance of 
 meeting him successfully lay in the possibility that he would attack 
 me in my entrenchments. I would have given him battle confidently, 
 had he done this. But I had little hope that he would do it, as it was 
 comparatively easy for him to turn my position, by crossing the 
 Arkansas below Little Rock. That river was, at that time, fordable 
 in a great many places ; and I could not guard it effectually without 
 weakening my force within the the trenches to a dangerous extent. 
 I communicated these facts, at the time, to the Lieutenant General 
 commanding. 
 
 There was, during the last days of August and the first days of 
 September, constant skirmishing between the cavalry advance of the 
 two armies, without any marked change, however, in their relative 
 positions, except that the enemy began to develop more plainly his 
 intention to cross the Arkansas below Little Rock. I therefore or- 
 dered General Marsh Walker, on the 31st of August, to move his 
 
22 
 
 headquarters to some point on the south side of the river, within 
 twelve or fifteen miles of the city, and to assume command of, and 
 concentrate in that vicinity, (in addition to his own brigade,) all the 
 cavalry which was south of the Arkansas and east of Little Rock. I 
 also gave orders, on the 9th of September, for the construction of a 
 line of defences on that side of the river ; and the work was immedi- 
 ately begun. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 10th, the enemy appeared in heavy 
 force on the north bank of the river, about eight miles below Little 
 Rock. Colonel A. L. Dobbins (upon whom the command of Walker's 
 division had been devolved, by the unfortunate death of that lamented 
 officer,) immediately concentrated his whole disposable force (about 
 twelve hundred men) to dispute his passage. He was, however, em- 
 barrassed not only by the fact that the river was fordable in twelve 
 different places within twelve miles of Little Rock — at one of which 
 the enemy actually made a strong feint of crossing — but by the addi- 
 tional fact that the place at which the enemy did finally force the 
 passage was selected with excellent judgment, it being the upper point 
 of a horse-shoe-like bend, upon the three sides of which he planted 
 five batteries. These, after two hours' heavy cannonading, silenced 
 the guns which Colonel Dobbins had opposed to the enemy's pas- 
 sage, and drove them and the supporting cavalry from the penin- 
 sula. 
 
 I ordered Tappan's brigade to the relief of Dobbins, as soon as I 
 learned that the enemy was seriously threatening to cross the river, 
 and immediately thereafter ordered General Marmaduke to move his 
 division to the south side, to assume command of all the cavalry, to 
 hold the enemy in check until I could withdraw my infantry and 
 artillery from the north side of the river, and, when this had been 
 accomplished, to cover the retreat — the orders for which were at once 
 given. The infantry began to leave the entrenchments at eleven 
 o'clock in the morning. The city was finally evacuated about five 
 o'clock in the afternoon. The trains had been sent to the rear early 
 in the forenoon. 
 
 The cavalry, under command of Brigadier General Marmaduke, 
 constituted the rear guard. It was skilfully handled, and behaved 
 admirably. 
 
 My infantry, and most of my artillery, reached Arka'delphia on the 
 14th of September, without any unusual loss of either men or mate- 
 rial, and were encamped in that vicinity. 
 
 I disposed my cavalry so as to completely cover my front — General 
 Marmaduke occupying the centre, having his headquarters at Rock- 
 port ; Colonel Dobbins in command of the right, having his at Tulip, 
 and Colonel Monrce in command of the left, having his at Caddo 
 Cap. 
 
 I respectfully refer to the reports of Brigadier General Marmaduke 
 and Colonel A. L. Dobbins, for a detailed statement of the operations 
 of their respective commands. They will be forwarded as soon as 
 they shall have been received. 
 
23 
 
 Lieutenant General Holmes resumed command of the district of 
 Arkansas, at Arkadelphia, on the 25th day of September. 
 I am, Colonel, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 • STERLING PRICE, 
 
 Major General. 
 
 Official : 
 
 Thomvs L. Skead, 
 
 Major and Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
REPORT OF COLONEL DOBBINS. 
 
 Camp Bragg, Nov. 19th, 1^3. 
 Major Thomas L. Snead, Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 Major : In obedience to your request, I have the honor herewith 
 to submit a report of the military operations of my command in front 
 of Little Rock, from the time I assumed command of the division, 
 formerly commanded by Brigadier General Walker, on the 6th day of 
 September, until the 10th of the same month. I must here, however, 
 state that this report will necessarily be general in its terms, omitting 
 details, as I am now, and have been, for the last six weeks, separated 
 from my command, and I have now no access to the papers requisite 
 to make a full report. 
 
 On the evening of the 6th of September, by an order from Major 
 General Price, I assumed command of Brigadier General Walker's 
 division, consisting of Dobbins' brigade, Arkansas cavalry, and Car- 
 ter's brigade, Texas cavalry, to which were also attached Johnson's 
 spy company and Denson's company. At this time, one regiment of 
 Dobbins' brigade was encamped on the north side of the Arkansas 
 river, at Ashley's mill, and the remainder were on the south side of the 
 river, near Buck's ford. Carter's brigade, except about one hundred 
 men, and one section of Pratt's battery, were engaged in picketing 
 from Buck's ford, on the Arkansas river, to Gains' landing, on the 
 Mississippi river. On the morning of the 7th, the enemy advanced 
 on the regiment camped at Ashley's mill, driving the same back to 
 the river. Colonel Newton, then commanding the brigade, was pres- 
 ent in command. The regiment lost one killed, three wounded and 
 two captured, including Captain Cowley, adjutant of the brigade. 
 The enemy advanced in greatly superior force, and Colonel Newton 
 crossed the river about eight miles below Little Rock, with that por- 
 tion of his command, fording the same. This was about ten o'clock 
 in the morning. That night the enemy camped at Ashley's mill and 
 Terry's ferry. From that time, until the evening of the 9th, there 
 was continual skirmishing between my scouts and the enemy, and, 
 also, constant firing across the river, with no loss in my command, 
 and with some damage to the enemy — they reporting to have had three 
 killed at Terry's ferry. On the evening of the 9th, the enemy moved 
 down, in considerable force of cavalry and artillery, to Buck's ford, 
 and built up camp fires within sight of the ford. About ten o'clock 
 that night, Colonel Newton reported to rne that the enemy were 
 moving their artillery to Terry's ferry and were throwing out lumber, 
 as if they intended building a bridge at that place. I had previously, 
 as soon as I discovered them at Buck's ford, moved to that point about 
 two hundred bales of cotton, and planted my artillery so as to resist 
 their crossing. I, at the same time, reported to Major General Price, 
 commanding the district of Arkansas, that the enemy were in front 
 of me in heavy force of infantry, cavalry and artillery, reported by a 
 
25 
 
 citizen, named Calvin Pemberton, (who had that day seen Generals 
 Steele and Davidson,) to be thirty thousand strong, and that I would 
 be unable to prevent their crossing. My command being very much 
 scattered, and there being twelve fords between Little Rock and 
 Buck's ford, a distance of twelve miles, on the morning of the l< >th, 
 about three o'clock, 1 left my camp near Buck's ford, and rode up the 
 bank of the river to ascertain, if possible, what movement the enemy 
 was making, the reports from scouts having been very unsatisfactory 
 and conflicting "When about four miles above Buck's ford, and about 
 two miles above Terry's ferry, I discovered the enemy digging down 
 the bank, and making preparations to cross the river. This was just 
 at daylight. The river here made a bend in the shape of a horse-shoe, 
 the enemy being about the centre of the bend. I immediately ordered 
 a section of Etter's battery, which had previously been attached to 
 my command, to occupy the point opposite to where the enemy was 
 engaged in cutting down the bank, and to open fire on them, which 
 it did. The enemy immediately opened on Etter's battery, from five 
 batteries placed on the opposite bank, and, from the nature of the 
 bend and the position of the batteries, being planted on each side of 
 the horse-shoe, swept the entire point on which Etter's battery was 
 placed. At the same time, the section of Pratt's battery was also 
 hotly engaged with the enemy at Buck's ford, they having made a 
 demonstration of crossing there, Finding that Etter's battery was 
 unable to prevent the enemy from throwing a bridge across the river, 
 I ordered one piece of Pratt's battery to his assistance. It came up 
 and opened on the enemy, but the fire from the enemy's batteries was 
 so terrifie that ttey were unable to hold their position, and, after 
 being engaged about two hours, were compelled to retire, leaving one 
 piece of Etter's battery, which I had brought off afterwards by the 
 cavalry, being soon after the artillery was removed. The enemy 
 crossed the river, I think, at about ten o'clock in the morning. They 
 crossed, first, one regiment of cavalry, followed immediately by the 
 infantry and cavalry in heavy force. I fell back to Bayou Fourche, 
 a distance of about five miles, fighting all the time. When within 
 about one mile of the bayou, I ordered Colonel Newton, with a por- 
 tion of the brigade commanded by him, about five hundred men, to 
 go back to the bayou and form on the bank, while I remained and held 
 the enemy in check. This he did. I had, as soon as I found the 
 enemy would cross, ordered all the force from Buck's ford to join me, 
 and had the entire force with me, not exceeding twelve hundred men, 
 at the time the enemy crossed the river When I reached Bayou 
 Fourche, about two o'clock, P. M., Colonel Newton had his command 
 formed, ready to receive the enemy. Then I met Brigadier General 
 Marmaduke, with orders to assume command of all the cavalry, and 
 I immediately turned over the command to him. I sent to Major 
 General Price, from time to time, all the information I could obtain 
 in regard to the movements of the enemy, and kept him constantly 
 informed of all their movements. I lost, in the entire action and 
 skirmishing, about sixty-five men in killed, wounded and missing, in- 
 cluding one major (Major S. Coley ) killed, and one lieutenant (Bow- 
 
M 
 
 ers) killed ; one captain wounded and one captain captured. The 
 loss I give from memory alone, and cannot now say how many pri- 
 vates were killed, and how many wounded. 
 
 I have the honor to be, 
 
 Yours, with high respect, 
 
 ARCH. L. DOBBINS, 
 
 Colonel, etc. 
 Official : 
 
 Thomas L. Snead, 
 
 Major and A. A. General. 
 
BATTTE OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN. 
 
 REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL STEVENSON. 
 
 Headquarters Stevenson's Division, ) 
 Near Valton, January 8, 1864. ) 
 
 To General Samuel Cooper, 
 
 Adjutant and Inspector General, C. S. A. : 
 
 General : Seeing in the Richmond journals that General Bragg 
 has submitted his report of the battle of the 24th and 25th of Novem- 
 ber to the War Department, I take the liberty of forwarding direct, 
 by Lieutenant Patton, aid-de-camp, my report, with those of my subor- 
 dinate commanders, of the operations of the troops under my com- 
 mand at and near Lookout mountain, on the 24th November, 1863. 
 Copies of all of the accompanying papers have been forwarded to 
 General Bragg through the headquarters of the army of Tennessee. 
 I am, General, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 C. L. STEVENSON, 
 
 Major General. 
 
 Headquarters Stevenson's Division, Hardee's Corps, 
 Army of Tennessee, Near Dalton, January 2, 1864. 
 
 Colonel George W. Brent, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 Colonel : I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
 operations of the troops of my command, west of Chattanooga creek, 
 on the 24th November, 1863 : 
 
 On the 12th of November, I was directed to move my division from 
 the position near the tunnel of East Tennessee and Georgia railroad, 
 
28 
 
 which it had occupied since its return from East Tennessee, to the 
 extreme left of our infantry lines, the top of Lookout mountain, 
 reporting to Lieutenant General Hardee. On the 14th of November 
 the positions of the troops of his command were assigned by the Lieu- 
 tenant General: Walker's division, (commanded by Brigadier Gene- 
 ral Gist,) to occupy that portion of the line which lay west of the 
 Chattanooga creek to the Chattanooga road, at the base of the moun- 
 tain ; Cheatham's division, (commanded by Brigadier General Jack- 
 son,) that known as the " Craven house slope," extending from the 
 left of Walker's line to Smith's trail, on the western side of the moun- 
 tain, and the defence of the mountain was entrusted to my division 
 and a very small and inadequate force of cavalry. The position 
 assigned to me, the table on the top of the mountain, included the 
 pass at " Johnson's Crook," distant eighteen miles. The numerous 
 pas&es along the western crest to " ISfickajack Pass," a distance of 
 about ten miles, were held by infantry, the remainder by the small 
 force of cavalry. The defensive works on the mountain extended 
 across from east to west, at about two and-a-half miles from the point. 
 To guard this extended line, to protect these numerous passes, and to 
 complete with the dispatch, so frequently urged upon me by the Gen- 
 eral^commanding, the line of defence, the work upon which was 
 prosecuted, agreeably to his orders, day and night, and the necessity 
 of watching, with the utmost vigilance, the movements of the heavy 
 force of the enemy threatening my rear at Stephens' Gap and " John- 
 son's Crook," demanded and received my constant and undivided 
 attention. By personal inspection and reconnoisance, I familiarized 
 myself with the character of the line entrusted to me, but had neither 
 time nor occasion to irake myself acquainted with the dispositions 
 made, by the Lieutenant General commanding, for the defence of the 
 rest of the line, further than such information as I acquired by per- 
 sonal observation in visiting and adjusting the posts of my pickets 
 and signal stations, at and near the point of the mountain from which 
 place, in favorable weather, both armies could be plainly discerned. 
 
 On the 23d of November, about one o'clock, P. M., my attention 
 was attracted by heavy firing in the valley below. I immediately 
 proceeded to the point of the mountain, from which I could plainly 
 see all the movements of the enemy. I watched them closely until 
 dark, and then hurried off the following dispatch, by signal, both to 
 Lieutenant General Hardee and direct to General Bragg : 
 
 " I observed closely, from the point, the movements of the enemy 
 until dark. An object seemeel to be to attract our attention. All the 
 troops in sight were formed from centre to left. Those on their right 
 moved to centre. The troops from 'Raccoon' were in line in full 
 sight. If they intend to attack, my opinion is, it will be upon our 
 left. Both of their bridges are gone." 
 
 The movements of the enemy and his demonstrations against our 
 right centre were such that in my own mind, I had not the slightest 
 doubt that his purpose was to attract our attention, induce us to con- 
 centrate on our right, thereby weakening our left, and then render 
 the acquisition of Lookout mountain practicable for him. 
 
29 
 
 The manoeuvre had the desired effect, for, during the evening, 
 Walker's entire division was removed from its position to the extreme 
 right, and the force west of Chattanooga creek thereby diminished 
 more than one-third. After dark, I was informed by Lieutenant Gen- 
 eral Hardee that he had been ordered to the extreme right, and I was 
 directed to assume command of the troops west of Chattanooga creek. 
 To fill, as far as possible, the vacancy caused by the removal of 
 Walker's division, Jackson's brigade, of Cheatham's division, was re- 
 moved from the " Craven house slope," and Cumming's brigade, of 
 my own division, from the top of the mountain — General Gumming, 
 as the senion officer present, being placed in command of the two 
 brigades. I was advised by the Lieutenant General commanding to 
 transfer my headquarters to the Craven house, and subsequently to 
 the camp just vacated by him. 
 
 Having thus, without the slightest premonition — not only a large 
 portion of the troops, but even the permanent commander having been 
 removed — been placed in command, at night, at a most critical period, 
 over a wing of the army with whose position and disposition, as I 
 have already stated, I had enjoyed no opportunity of making myself 
 acquainted, I at once used every exertion to gain the necessary in- 
 formation, by sending every officer of my staff, and devoting the whole 
 night myself, to riding over and examining the linos. I found the 
 position, at which General Hardee advised me to establish my head- 
 quarters, to be on the eastern side of the Chattanooga creek, some 
 distance beyond the extreme right of my line, and at least two and a 
 half miles from the ba c e of the mountain The distance, and the fact 
 that the situation was most unfavorable for personal observation, de- 
 termined me to return to the mountain, which afforded this advantago 
 in the highest degree, and I accordingly addressed you the appended 
 communication [A] On my way back, I examined the whole line, and, 
 at sunrise, reached the Craven house. I found the troops in position, 
 as assigned by Lieutenant General Hardee. Moore's brigade was 
 bivouacked along the eastern side of the mountain, near the Craven 
 house, ready to move at a moments notice to any point to which it 
 should be ordered. I then provided, as well as the means at my dis- 
 posal permitted, either for an attack upon Cumming or Jackson. 
 
 Immediately upon my arrival on the mountain, I directed the look- 
 outs at the point to keep a close watch, and advise me of any move- 
 ments the enemy might make. 
 
 About ten o'clock, A. M., I received from Brigader General Jack- 
 son the communication [B] written him by General Walthall, and soon 
 afterwards was informed, by the men at the point, that there was somo 
 picket firing on Lookout creek, I immediately rode to the point to see 
 what was going on. The enemy had, by felling trees, constructed 
 three temporary bridges over the creek, and in a short time, forced a 
 passage. 
 
 The troops as they crossed formed to cover tho passage of the re- 
 mainder. I immediately sent a staff officer of General Hardee's, 
 (Major W. D. Pickett,) who happened to be with me, to General Jack- 
 son, to inform him of what I had seen, and to direct him at once to 
 
so 
 
 place all of his troops in position. He reached General Jackson, I 
 suppose, a little after eleven o'clock, A. M. I caused the picket at 
 Smith's trail to be largely increased, and a strong force to be posted 
 as sharpshooters along the crest of the mountain. The artillery, with 
 trails raised, opened with spirit and effect, and was used until the 
 enemy advanced so close under the cliff that the guns could not be 
 sufficiently depressed for the shots to take effect. 
 
 General Walthall's pickets and skirmishers extended from the turn- 
 pike bridge of Lookout creek to the railroad bridge, and thence, mak- 
 ing nearly a right angle, across the northwest slope of the mountain to a 
 point near Smith's trail. The enemy, as Walthall mentions in his 
 report, had threatened to force a passage of the creek on his right, 
 but their real movement was upon the left. A large force had moved 
 up the creek, under cover of the fog, crossed above, and passing along 
 the western slope, attacked him successfully in flank and rear. 
 
 Their advance on the flank and from the front, was gallantly con- 
 tested, but though their front line sometimes wavered, they pressed 
 on, Walthall falling back to the line which I have before mentioned, 
 but with very heavy loss in prisoners, owing to the enemy's taking 
 him in flank and rear. 
 
 Finding that the fog was becoming so dense that the troops on the 
 northern point of the mountain could not see the enemy moving 
 upon Walthall, I gave orders for Pettus, with my only disposable 
 force, to move down and report to Brigadier General Jackson. He 
 started at half-past twelve o'clock, and reached the scene of action a 
 little past one o'clock, relieving Walthall on the left of Moore's line. 
 This position was held by Moore, Walthall and Pettus, until about 
 eight o'clock, P. M., when Walthall's and part of Pettus' command 
 were relieved by Clayton's brigade, commanded by Colonel Holtz- 
 claw, which was sent to cover the movement to the right. Moore 
 and Holtzclaw retired from the position about two o'clock, A. M., on 
 the 25th. Brown, finding that the enemy could not be seen for the 
 fog, deployed his sharpshooters down the sides of the mountain, who 
 were guided in firing by the reports of the enemy's musketry ; at 
 the same time the men stationed along the creek rolled down rocks in 
 the direction of the Craven house. This, with the shells from the 
 Napoleon guns, doubtless contributed not a little to checking the 
 advance of the enemy, for soon thereafter his firing materially 
 abated. Early in the day, the appended communication [C] was 
 received from General Bragg. A perusal of it will show how highly 
 important he, on that day, considered my making such dispositions 
 as would effectually prevent a severance of the troops which I 
 commanded from the main body of the army. About the time the 
 attack was made on Walthall, the enemy massed a considerable force 
 upon the Chattanooga road, in front of Cumming's line, evidently for 
 the purpose of co-operating with, and making a diversion in favor of, 
 their assaulting column. The number of his troops massed for this 
 purpose, who had been in plain sight until the view was obscured by 
 the mist, the serious weakness of Cumming's force, there not being a 
 man for yards upon some parts of the line, and the certainty, that to 
 
31 
 
 reinforce the command near the Craven house from Cumming, was 
 to give the enemy an opportunity to cut us off from the main body, 
 without even a show of resistance, rendered it highly improper to 
 withdraw a man from him. I have already stated that he had 
 but two brigades to hold the line from the Chattanooga creek to the 
 Chattanooga road, at the base of the mountain. The force, early that 
 morning at the Craven house slope, had consisted of two brigades — 
 Moore's and Walthall's — and was now reinforced by the larger part 
 of a third, (Pettus',) while in the mountain top there was but one 
 small brigade and two regiments of another, the larger portion being 
 between the point and the works, the other picketing and holding a 
 line of about ten miles. 
 
 Of my six brigades, it will be perceived, from the foregoing accounts, 
 that four were engaged, while the remaining two were threatened by 
 a force which, had it advanced, could soon have driven them from 
 their position and immediately cut ua off from the army east of the 
 creek, a position which I had been instructed to hold, even at the 
 expense of the mountain. I had been directed by General Bragg, if 
 I needed reinforcements, to call for them, [see letter C,] and as soon as 
 I saw that the enemy were attacking and would carry the point, I availed 
 myself of the order, and called both upon Generals Breckinridge and 
 Bragg for them, by a staff officer. I instructed him to say to them 
 that, if they would send me reinforcements, I would, when the fog 
 rose, attack the enemy in flank by sharpshooters in the mountain 
 crest, and, descending Smith's trail, take him in rear, and, I doubted 
 not, drive him from the slope. This statement I repeated by three 
 other staff officers, sent at intervals of half an hour. After waiting for 
 some time for an answer, I received a verbal order from General Bragg 
 to the effect that no reinforcements could be sent me ; that I must 
 withdraw as best I could under cover of the fog, and that a brigade 
 would be sent to the base of the mountain to cover the withdrawal. 
 Subsequently I received the following note : 
 
 " TWO AND A HALF O'CLOCK, P. M. 
 
 " The General commanding, instructs me to say that you will 
 withdraw your command from the mountain to this side of Chatta- 
 nooga creek, destroying the bridges behind. Fight the enemy as you 
 retire. The thickness of the fog will enable you to retire, it is 
 hoped, without much difficulty." 
 
 About five hours after the date of this order, I received a note from 
 Major General Breckinridge, then my corps commander, informing 
 me that he had arrived at the base of the mountain, with a brigade, 
 (Clayton's,) to be used in the retirement, and generously offering to 
 confer with me, and render me any assistance in his power in the 
 withdrawal of the troops. This brigade, as has been heretofore stated, 
 relieved Walthall's and part of Pettus' command, about eight o'clock, 
 P. M., and was the only force sent to me on that day. I was engaged 
 in issuing the necessary orders for the retirement of the troops when 
 Major General Cheatham arrived. He informed me that he had 
 come to consult with me, but not to assume command. 
 
32 
 
 I sent the troops from the top of the mountain down, and then pro- 
 ceeded myself to a point near its base, where General Cheatham 
 and myself had appointed to meet. Here, as senior officer, he as- 
 sumed command, and 1 then gave no further directions with regard to 
 the retirement of the troops, except such as 1 received from him for 
 thoso of my own division. Here we met also Major General Breck- 
 inridge, who, when Major General Cheatham took command, returned 
 to Bis corps. Brown was directed at once to cross Chattanooga 
 creek — about eleven o'clock, P. M. — commencing at one o'clock ; and 
 Cheatham's division, with which was. (then) serving Pettus' brigade, 
 of my own division afterwards — all with directions to await further 
 orders on the eastern side. General Cheatham then left me, as I 
 understood, to get further orders from General Bragg. Except for 
 about one hour — from about half-past ten to half-past eleven, A M. — 
 the mountain was enveloped in fog during the day. 
 
 About twelve o'clock, M., two staif officers of General Bragg rode 
 up to where I was, (General Cumming's quarters,) and, stating that 
 they could not find General Cheatham, han ied me orders to him from 
 General Bragg, to send all the troops that had been west of Chatta- 
 nooga creek to the extreme right. This order was immediately given, 
 and was executed as quickly as possible. The conduct of the troops 
 was all that could have been desired, and they accomplished all that 
 could have been expected of them. 
 
 The withdrawal of Walker's division, on the night of the 23d, in 
 my opinion, rendered the position on the left — opposed by so large a 
 force — untenable, and it was beyond the power of the troops then to 
 do more than secure the communication with the top of the mountain, 
 and with the main body of the army, until General Bragg could decide 
 whether he would reinforce them sufficiently to hold the line or aban- 
 don it. This decision I have already given. The mountain was held 
 until two o'clock the next morning, and the troops, artillery and trains 
 were withdrawn in order to the eastern side of the creek. 
 
 As Brigadier General Jackson is mentioned, in the reports of sub- 
 ordinate commanders, as having been absent from his headquarters 
 with me, it is due to him to state that, having checked the enemy in 
 rear of the Craven house, and finding that they had massed a consid- 
 erable force on the Chattanooga road, apparently with the intention 
 of advancing from that direction — it being important that he should 
 have definite orders in case they should make a successful attack upon 
 the troops on that part of the line, and thus cut us off from the mam 
 body of the army — to provide against any accident in transmission of 
 such orders, he came to me to receive them in person. I approved of 
 his course, under the circumstances. As his conduct, at the battle of 
 Missionary Ridge, when not under my command, has been alluded to 
 in one of the accompanying reports, I append, at his request, to be 
 read with said report, a communication [D] addressed him on the sub- 
 ject by his commanding officer, Major General Cheatham. 
 
 I take pleasure in expressing my indebtedness to Major W. D. Pick- 
 ett, of Lieutenant General Hardee's staff, and my renewed obligations 
 to Majors John J. Reeve, George L. Gillespie, J. H. F. Mayo, H. M. 
 
S3 
 
 Matthews, H. Webb, J. E. McElrath, and Chief Surgeon H. M. 
 Compton, of my staff. 
 
 For the particular service rendered by the several rogioaents, I re- 
 spectfully ask attention to the reports of brigade commanders. I 
 transmit herewith maps of the lines west of Chattanooga creek. 
 
 Delay in the reports of subordinate commanders, and my illness, 
 have prevented me from forwarding this report sooner. 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 C. L. STEVENSON, 
 
 Major General. 
 
 [A.] 
 
 Headquarters Forces west of Chattanooga Creek, ) 
 Hardee's Headquarters, Novembtr 24, 1863. \ 
 
 To Colonel G. W. Brent, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General, Army of Tennessee: 
 
 Colonel : Agreeably to a suggestion in a letter from Lieutenant 
 Colonel Roy, General Hardee's assistant adjutant general, I came to 
 this place to-night to establish my headquarters, but I find that I am 
 on the opposite side of the creek, and some distanco from the extreme 
 right of my line. 
 
 I will return quickly to the mountain, which is more central, from 
 which I can overlook my whole command, communicate, by signal, 
 from my entreme left to right, and by couriers, in case of fog, from 
 stations which I have established at the base of the mountain. 
 I am, Colonel, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 C. L. STEVENSON, 
 Major General commanding. 
 
 [B-] 
 
 Headquarters Walthall's Brigade, 
 Craven House, Nov. 24, 1863, 8 o'clock, A. M 
 
 .! 
 
 Major : It ia foggy this morning, and nothing can be distinctly 
 seen, but I feel sure the enemy's pontoons have both disappeared, and 
 most of the tents in Chattanooga have been removed. Troops are 
 moving rapidly to the left, in what numbers it is difficult to estimate. 
 The lines of the enemy, in front of their works, visible on ye9torday, 
 are still to be seen. They seem to have bivouacked there. A steam- 
 boat is busy in the river beyond the town from here. 
 3 
 
34 
 
 The fog has thickened so -within the last thirty minutes that I can 
 see nothing. 
 
 Xery respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 E. C. WALTHALL, 
 
 Brigadier Central. 
 
 Respectfully forwarded to Major General Stevenson. The original 
 has been sent direct to army headquarters. 
 
 JOHN K. JACKSON, 
 Brigadier General commanding Cheatham's Division. 
 
 A true copy: 
 
 C. L. Stevenson, 
 
 Major General. 
 
 [0.] 
 
 Headquarters Army of Tennessee, ) 
 Missionary Ridge, November 24, 1863. 5 
 
 Major General Stevenson, 
 
 Commanding Division : 
 
 General: The General commanding directs me to say that you are 
 charged with the defence, on the left of Chattanooga creek. If the 
 enemy attempt to cross the creek you must defend obstinately, calling 
 on the forces to your left and also on Breckinridge on your right for 
 assistance. Should you be compelled to yield, the force on the moun- 
 tain and at " Craven house" must be withdrawn in time to save them 
 from being cut off. In a last resort, the " Craven house" command 
 could pass on the old road leading up the mountain, and form a junc- 
 tion with the force coming down ; or, in case of extreme necessity, 
 they could move south on the mountain, but this is only an extreme 
 case. 
 
 Report fully and frequently by letter and signal all the movements 
 in our front. 
 
 I am, General, very respectfully, 
 
 K. FALCONER, 
 Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 A true copy : 
 
 C. L. Steyenson, 
 
 Major General. 
 
 Headquarters Cheatham's Division, 
 January 3, 1864. 
 
 General John K. Jackson : 
 
 Sir : Your note of 31st December is before me. In it you say: 
 " As my (your) report of the battle of Lookout mountain will not 
 
35 
 
 pass through you, I will be greatly obliged to you for your opiuion of 
 my conduct on Missionary Ridge, on 25th November last, with lib- 
 erty to use it officially or otherwise, as I may see proper." 
 
 In reply, I have to say that I saw nothing wrong in your conduct 
 on Missionary Ridge, on the 2.5th November last. You were always 
 present to receive and obey my orders, as far as could be done, amidst 
 the confusion of the day. I left yourself and General Walthall with 
 orders to hold the position then occupied for thirty minutes, and then 
 to follow on to Chickamauga. All of which was promptly complied 
 with. 
 
 Yours, very respectfully, 
 
 B. F. CHEATHAM, 
 Major General, C. S. A. 
 
 A true copy : 
 
 C. L. Stevenson, 
 
 Major General. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL WALTHALL. 
 
 Atlanta, Ga., Dec. 13, 1863. ~ 
 
 Major James D. Porter, 
 
 A. A. A. G. } Cheatham's Division : 
 
 Major : I hare the honor to submit the following report of the 
 part taken by my command in the affair on Lookout mountain, on 24th 
 November, 1863 : 
 
 About dark, on the evening of the 23rd, I received orders from the 
 Brigadier General commanding to hold my command in readiness to 
 move at a day's notice, and later in the night, to hare three days* 
 rations prepared ; but, in view of the movements of the enemy on the 
 previous day, my command, which occupied a position on the west 
 Bide of Lookout mountain and near the northern slope, was ordered 
 to stand " to arms " before daylight on the 24th November. My 
 picket line which extended along Lookout creek from the turnpike 
 bridge near its mouth, to the railroad bridge across it, and thence up 
 the mountain side to the cliff, was strengthened by increasing its re- 
 serves early in the morning, troops having been observed moving 
 raj idly up the creek. The fog at that time being very dense, it was 
 impossible to estimate the number of the troops in motion, and this 
 fact (as well as what seemed to be the state of things in Chattanooga 
 and on the river,) was reported to the Brigadier General commanding. 
 Shortly thereafter, the fog having been partially dissipated in the 
 valley, (though it still obscured the crest of the mountain above,) 
 with Brigadier General Moore, the ranking officer at hand, I observed 
 the movements of the enemy across Lookout creek, from a point near 
 the right of my command, and saw a brigade take position in front of 
 that part of my picket line between the two bridges, of which one 
 regiment was thrown forward, and soon the pickets were engaged. 
 Brigadier General Moore returned to his command, it being agreed 
 between us that he would notify the Brigadier General commanding 
 of what had been observed. Rude breastworks of logs and stones had 
 been constructed on the mountain side by the command which had oc- 
 cupied the ground before me, running parellel to the mountain and the 
 creek, and along these my command, except the thirty-fourth Missis- 
 sippi regiment, with which the picket reserves had been strengthened, 
 was formed, awaiting the development of th eneemy's purpose ; it being 
 uncertain whether he would pass across the creek on the right, as the 
 movements discovered would seem to indicate, or would approach 
 from the left of the picket line with the troops which had already 
 moved in that direction 
 
 Soon after the firing commenced across the creek, two batteries which 
 had previously been erected on the ridge beyond Lookout creek, (of 
 whioh, in conversation with the Brigadier General commanding, I had 
 more than once made mention,) opened upon my main line, less than 
 three-quarters of a mile distant; and while these batteries were shell- 
 
37 
 
 ing, two pieces of Artillery were planted at a point between the creek 
 and the river, which, though across the creek from my picket line, 
 was yet, by reason of the course of the stream, in rear of much of 
 that part of the line which took the direction of the creek. Major 
 Johnson, commanding thirtieth, and Colonel Brantley, commanding 
 twenty- ninth Mississippi regiments, occupying positions nearest to it, 
 had been instructed to support that part of the picket line which ex- 
 tended up the mountain side from the railroad and bridge, should the 
 enemy approach from that direction ; and the other regiments, twenty- 
 seventh Mississippi, under Lieutenant Colonel Jones, and twenty- 
 fourth Mississippi, under Colonel Dowd, were held ready to move to 
 the right or left as occasion might require. 
 
 While writing a communication to inform the Brigadier General 
 commanding of the position of the pieces in the angle of the creek, 
 (with the suggestion that a single piece in a position which had been 
 prepared for artillery, could silence them, and that this done, I thought 
 I could hold the force in check,) I received information, through scouts 
 sent out up the creek, to observe the movements of the enemy; that 
 a force had crossed the creek above the anglo in the picket line. I 
 added this to the communication and sent it to the Brigadier General 
 commanding by one of his staff officers. In the meantime, Brigadier 
 General Moore had applied to me to know the position of my line, as 
 he was ordered to form on my right, and I learned from a staff officer 
 of the Brigadier General commanding that such would be General 
 Moore's position. I informed both where my line then was, and Cap- 
 tain Moreno, of the staff of the Brigadier General commanding, went 
 with me, at my request, and looked at my position, but that the direc- 
 tion which would ultimately be given my line would necessarily 
 depend upon the direction from which the enemy, then engaging my 
 pickets on the right and threatening my left, almost at right angles 
 to the part engaged, might make his main attack. Meanwhile the 
 firing from the batteries beyond the creek, which before had been 
 irregular, became constant and heavy, and soon the enemy advanced 
 on the left, in three lines running across the mountain side. Such 
 resistance as I could offer a force like this, (consisting, as the Federal 
 General Thomas, in an official dispatch to his Government, says, of 
 Geary's division and two brigades of another corps,) was made with 
 my email command, nearly one-third of which was covering a picket 
 line more than a mile in extent. While the twenty-ninth and thir- 
 tieth Missisippi regiments, in support of the picket line, were resist- 
 ing the enemy in the position assigned them, (to cover which, it had 
 been necessary to take intervals,) and when the immense numbers of 
 the enemy had been discovered, the twenty- seventh and part of the 
 twenty-fourth Mississippi regiments were put in position several hun- 
 dred yards in rear of the picket line, where, being sheltered from the 
 enemy's small arms, and reserving their fire till the regiments and 
 pickets in front had passed behind them in falling back, they delivered 
 a destructive fire upon the advancing lines. The front line wavered 
 and then was broken at one point, but after failing back a short dis- 
 tance, it soon reformed, and, despite my rapid and well-directed fire, 
 
S8 
 
 moved steadily and irresistibly forward, pressing heaviest upon my 
 extreme left. I endeavored, in falling back, to turn the rocks and 
 irregularities of the ground to the best account for the protection of 
 the men, and retiring from one position of strength to another, to 
 yield the ground as slowly as possible, with the hope that support 
 (for which I had sent to General Moore) might reach me. Many offi- 
 cers and men were captured because they held their positions so long 
 as to render escape impossible, the ground in their rear being rocky, 
 rugged, and covered with fallen timber. My command being greatly 
 sheltered, were enabled to inflict upon the enemy, as he advanced, 
 a loss far greater than it sustained. 
 
 By twelve o'clock, M., or about that time, and two and a half or 
 three hours after the first picket firing began, I was driven to the 
 ridge which runs down the northern slope of the mountain, where, 
 with three companies of sharpshooters from the twenty-fourth Mis- 
 sissippi regiment, which had previously been posted there, (and after- 
 wards strengthened by another from the same regiment,) I made an 
 effort to retard the enemy's progress, till the remainder of my com- 
 mand, including the pickets on the right, then in charge of Colonel 
 J. A. Campbell, twenty-seventh Mississippi regiment, could pass 
 across the northern slope of the mountain. The slope was commanded 
 by the casemated batteries on Moccasin point, from which my com- 
 mand was constantly shelled, from the time the slope was reached till 
 they had passed across it. This passage was effected, in part, by 
 means of a rifle pit, designed for the double purpose of a covered 
 way and defence against an attack from a northern direction, which 
 runs across that part of the slope west of Craven's house ; the sharp- 
 shooters on the ridge, meanwhile, resisting the .enemy's advance as 
 far as they were able, being themselves subjected to a heavy fire from 
 the Moccasin guns. After passing Craven's house, between half past 
 twelve and one o'clock, P. M., or about that time, I dispatched a staff 
 officer to the Brigadier General commanding, to advise him of my 
 movements. Most of my picket line, to the right of the railroad 
 bridge, (which had been forced back upon the reserves, in the rifle pits 
 at the foot of the mountain, and then were unable to check the force 
 •opposing them,) were cut off, including the efficient officer in charge 
 of it, an ineffectual effort having been made, as soon as the enemy be- 
 gan to overwhelm me on the left, to retire it up the steep mountain 
 side, before the advancing lines, sweeping along the west side of the 
 mountain, could occupy the elope near Craven's house. The only 
 pathway leading from the right of the position held by the picket line 
 to Craven's house, ran up the creek to a point near the railroad 
 bridge, and then obliquely (in its general direction) across the side of 
 the mountain to the northern slope, forming an acute angle near the 
 abridge. When the left was forced back, this angle was possessed by 
 •the enemy, and then the picket force on the right had to be withdrawn 
 up a rugged steep, broken and rocky, and difficult of passage even 
 for a footman at leisure. The character of the ground making it im- 
 possible to communicate through mounted men with different parts of 
 the line ; the overwhelming force of the enemy ; the advantageous posi- 
 
S9 
 
 tiona of his batteries beyond tbe creek ; the extent and direction of 
 my picket line, and tbe fact that my only outlet, when forced to re- 
 tire, was across a point commanded by the Moccasin guns, all oper- 
 ated to produce confusion in the withdrawal of my command to a 
 point on the east side of the mountain, without the direct range of 
 these guns. The point selected was about four hundred yards from 
 Craven's house, where my line extended from the road up to the cliff. 
 
 About, one o'clock, P. M., I checked the enemy's advance, which 
 was heaviest on my left, and was soon informed that reinforcements 
 would be sent me, by a staff oflicer of the Brigadier General com- 
 manding. In the course of half an hour, or three quarters of an 
 hour, Brigadier General Fettus came up, with his command, in fine 
 order, and moved promptly upon the line I occupied, engaging the 
 enemy at once, and with spirit, and enabling me to withdraw my 
 command and replenish my ammunition (then well-nigh exhausted) 
 from my ordnance train, which I had ordered up to the ro?d in my 
 rear. This done, I formed my command, under cover, immediately 
 in his rear, for his support at such point as it might be needed. Soon 
 afterwards, through one of his staff officers, he requested me to send 
 him support on his left, and I immediately ordered Colonel Brantley, 
 twenty-ninth Mississippi regiment, with his own regiment, the thir- 
 tieth Mississippi, and a small detachment cf the thirty-fourth, to sup- 
 port this part of his line, and in a few moments the remainder of my 
 command was moved up, to strengthen the line, which, along it=t whole 
 length, was hotly engaged. I directed Colonel Brantly to advance 
 his left, as far as it could be done, without leaving an interval between 
 his line and the cliff, so as to get the benefit of an oblique fire 
 the line which was passing before us. This order was executed with 
 that officer's characteristic promptness. 
 
 In the meantime orders were received from Major General Steven- 
 son, through Major Ingram of tbe staff of the Brigadier General com- 
 manding, to hold the line then occupied till reinforcements should 
 arrive, when an advance would be made, and the force on the moun- 
 tain would co-operate ; and from the Brigadier General commanding, 
 through a staff officer, that the position would be held as long as pos- 
 sible, and, if forced to retire, that 1 would fall back up the mountain. 
 Later in the evening an order reached mo from the latter to 
 hold my position, if possible, till ordered to retire. General Pettus' 
 command, and my own, held the position all the afternoon, (during 
 the most of which time it was so hazy and misty that objects could 
 not be well distinguished, except at a short distance,) and until long 
 after nightfall, when, having been relieved by Colonel Iloltzclaw 
 with his brigade, I withdrew my conmand to the road leading down 
 the mountain in the rear, and then remained till about eleven o'clock, 
 when, under orders from Major General Cheatham, I moved my com- 
 mand to McFarland's spring, where it passed the remainder of the 
 night. 
 
 At no time, during this prolonged struggle, whose object was to 
 prevent the occupation of the enemy first, ot the important point 
 near Craven's house, and afterwards the only road from the mountain, 
 
40 
 
 leading from Major General Stevenson's position to the main body 
 cf the army, did I have the benefit of my division commander's per- 
 sonal presence. Reference has been made to such orders as reached 
 me from him. After I was relieved, and while awaiting orders to 
 move, I saw him for the first time, on his way, as he told me, to see 
 the General- in-chief. 
 
 The casualties of my command cannot be correctly reported, inas- 
 much as the killed and many of the wounded fell into the enemy's 
 hands. The accompanying list, to which I respectfully refer, only 
 shows among the killed and wounded such as are were known cer- 
 tainly to be so, and cannot, for want of positive information, em- 
 brace a large number, particularly of the pickets and their reserves 
 en the right, who are supposed to have fallen, as they were long 
 subjected to a very heavy fire both from artillery and small arms, but 
 of whose loss, further than that they fell into the enemy'3 hands, no 
 report can be had. 
 
 I regret that, for want of a competent person to prepare one, I am 
 unable to submit herewith an accurate map of the ground I occu- 
 pied, and its surroundings, aS it would contribute greatly to a per- 
 fect understanding of movements and events as related. 
 
 No copies cf the dispatches forwarded during the morning, having 
 been retained, and as 1 am unable to obtain such now, I have been 
 compelled to give them from memory. 
 
 The officers and men of my command, with a few exceptions, did 
 their duty well in this engagement ; but it is due in particular to com- 
 mend Colonel W. F. Brantley, twenty -ninth Mississippi regiment, and 
 Lieutenant Colonel R. P. Macllvaine, twenty-fourth Mississippi regi- 
 ment, for the skill, activity, zeal and courage I have ever observed in 
 them under similar circumstances, but which, in an especial degree, 
 signalized their action on this occasion. 
 
 The latter officer was not with his regiment during the engagement 
 west of the mountain, having been previously assigned to duty on the 
 picket line, where he rendered me important aid. Major John In- 
 gram, assistant adjutant general to the Brigadier General commanding, 
 was with me during most of the afternoon, and I am pleased here to 
 signify my high appreciation of his gallantry, and the valuable as- 
 sistance I received at his hands, in his bearing my orders and other- 
 wise. * 
 
 To Lieutenants John C. Harrison, A. A. A. G., and George M. 
 Govan, assistant inspector general, of my own staff, I am indebted for 
 the promptness, gallantry and efficiency with which all their duties 
 upon the field were discharged. 
 
 I submit herewith the reports of the regimental commanders, show- 
 ing many details, not incorporated herein. 
 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 E. C. WALTHALL, 
 Brigadier General 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL CUMMING. 
 
 Headquarters Cumming's Brigade, 
 
 AW Dalton, Dec. 5, 1863. 
 
 Major John J. Reeve, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 Major : I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
 operations of my brigade on the 24th and 25th of November : 
 
 About four o'clock, on the afternoon of the 23rd ultimo, I received 
 an order from Major General Stevenson, commanding forces on the 
 left, to form my brigade as quickly as possible, to vacate the position 
 which I had occupied for the previous eight or ten days, on the moun- 
 tain, and to proceed to occupy the line which had just been vacated by 
 General Gist's (Walker's) division. I was, at the same time, informed 
 that Jackson's brigade, commanded by Colonel Wilkerson, would 
 assist me in holding the line in question, and that he had already been 
 directed to report to me. Owing to the darkness and the exceeding 
 badness of the road, and the number of wagons met going up the 
 mountain, the brigade <iid not reach the line until about nine o'clock, I\ 
 M. I found Colonel Wilkerson already in the trenches, and placed 
 my brigade on his right. When thus placed in position the two brig- 
 ades rested with the right on Chattanooga creek and the left on the 
 road to Chattanooga, which passes by the foot of Lookout mountain. 
 
 In consequence of the great length of the line (upwards of a mile) 
 when compared with the smallness of the force on hand for its defence, 
 I considered the position to be exceedingly weak. Fortunately, how- 
 ever, neither on that night nor during the next day, did the enemy 
 manifest any disposition to attack us. The next day we witnessed, 
 without being able to render them any assistance, the disaster which 
 befell our troops on the mountain. 
 
 About ten o'clock, on the night of the 24th instant, Major General 
 Cheatham, who had, in the course of the day, arrived upon the ground, 
 and, by virtue of seniority, superseded Major General Stevenson in 
 command, visited my headquarters, at the Gillespie bouse, in company 
 with Major General Stevenson and Brigadier General Jackson. The 
 order of detail was at that time given by Major General Cheatham for 
 the withdrawal of the troops from the west side of Chattanoogacrtek. 
 By the term of this order, my command (two brigades) withdrew 
 last, and at an hour arranged with reference to the withdrawal of the 
 other brigades from the mountain, half-past two o'clock being desig- 
 nated as the hour for my brigade to retire, and three o'clock for my 
 picket to be recalled. The order of Major General Cheatham also 
 directed that the troops having withdrawn should be established in 
 line of battle on the east side of the creek. 
 
 Shortly after this, Major General Cheatham withdrew, leaving 
 Major General Stevenson in command at that point. A short time 
 
42 
 
 before the arrival of the hour designated for the withdrawal of my 
 command, a staff officer of the General commanding reached the 
 quarters with directions that all the troops should be withdrawn as 
 rapidly as possible from that side of the creek, and that instead of 
 forming line of battle after having crossed, they should be marched 
 with all possible dispatch to the right, and report to Lieutenant Gen- 
 eral Hardee. It being within a few minutes of the time designated 
 for the withdrawal of my brigade by Major General Cheatham, and 
 the road being now occupied by the troops which preceded mine, 
 Major General Stevenson deemed it not advisable to change the time 
 indicated in the order of Major General Cheatham. 
 
 At half-past two o'clock, 1 withdrew, and having reached tho Gil- 
 lespie house, directed Wilkerson's brigade to cross the creek by the 
 upper bridge, and report there to Brigadier General Jackson. My 
 OAvn brigade crossed at the lower bridge, passed through the valley 
 and ascended the ridge by the road on the right of General Bragg's 
 headquarters. After reaching the top of the ridge we were subjected 
 to a fire of shell. At this time, I dispatched a staff officer to find tho 
 headquarters of Lieutenant General Hardee and report my arrival. 
 
 During his absence, I was met by the General commanding and 
 directed by him to push on with all possible speed to the right. Soon 
 afterwards, Maj. General Stevenson, who had been in conference with the 
 commanding General, directed me to halt my brigade until his division 
 took up its position in line of battle on Missionary ridge about half- 
 past nine o'clock. In this line my brigade, which was the centre of 
 the division, had its right resting upon the top of the tunnel. In 
 front of the position occupied by the right two regiments, a wide gorge, 
 of not very steep descent but considerable grown up with the thicket, 
 descended into the plain beneath, and at the foot of which were a 
 collection of houses about two hundred yards from the line. Beyond 
 these houses the country spread out in open fields in all directions. 
 Upon my right, and somewhat in my front, was a strong position on 
 a knob partially fortified and held by a portion of Major General 
 Cleburne's troop3, and upon which it soon became evident the enemy 
 proposed to make a powerful assault. 
 
 Shortly after taking position in line of battle, the skirmishers of the 
 enemy appeared in the open country behind the houses (a long line) 
 advancing upon our line, and supported by heavy columns in the rear. 
 Seeing them advancing upon the houses heretofore mentioned, Lieu- 
 tenant General Hardee had directed me to send down two regiments to 
 take possession of the houses and hold them, but if compelled to retire 
 to burn them. The thirty-ninth Georgia regiment, Colonel J. T. 
 McConnell commanding, and the fifty-sixth Georgia regiment, Lieu- 
 tenant Colonel J. I. Slaughter commanding, (the right two regiments,) 
 were designed as the ones to perform this movement. They passed 
 down the ridge, one on the right and the other on the left of the rail- 
 road, and engaged the enemy's skirmishars to the rear and right of the 
 houses. Here a brisk skirmish fight occurred between the two regi- 
 ments and a brigade of the enemy, but at long distance, and resulting 
 in little loss on either side. A considerable amount of ammunition 
 
45 
 
 having been wasted, and the two regiments being apparently threatened 
 by a movement of the enemy on their right flank, who had advanced 
 in heavy columns towards the battery on the fortified knob on our 
 right, orders were given them by Major General Stevenson to retake 
 their position on the ridge. This movement was effected in perfect 
 order, under a dropping fire from the enemy's sharpshooters. Owing' 
 to some misconception of orders, the troops withdrew without setting 
 fire to the houses. 
 
 During the absence of the right two regiments, the left two regi- 
 ments, the thirty-Sixth Georgia, Lieutenant Colonel Wallace, and the 
 thirty-fourth Georgia, Colonel Johnson, were moved up to supply their 
 position in the line, and the returned regiments formed in their rear 
 while replenishing their cartridge boxes. While the left two were 
 being brought to supply the place of the right two regiments, each of 
 them sustained a serious loss in the wounding of its commanding offi- 
 cer. Colonel J. A. W. Johnson, thirty-fourth Georgia, being struck 
 by a minie ball in the leg, and Lieutenant Colonel Wallace, thirty- 
 sixth Georgia, having received a severe contusion from the fragment of 
 a shell. In the placing hors de combat of these two brave and expe- 
 rienced officers upon the eve of a hot encounter, I felt that the bri- 
 gade, as well as their respective regiments, had sustained a serious loss. 
 
 His regiment having been supplied with ammunition, the gallant 
 Colonel McConnell requested to be allowed to take it again to the foot 
 of the hill and drive the enemy from the houses and vicinity. Tliis 
 permission was not accorded, but subsequently he was directed to send 
 four companies to set fire to the houses. This was successfully per- 
 formed by Captain Milton, who took possession of the houses, burnt 
 them and rejoined his regiment, bringing off with him nine prisoners, 
 and sustaining but little loss. 
 
 Shortly after this operation, about one o'clock, V. M., I received an 
 order from Major General Stevenson to send one regiment of my bri- 
 gade to report to Major General Cleburne to continue the left of his 
 line from the direction of the knob, hitherto mentioned towards the 
 railroad. This duty was assigned to the thirty- ninth Georgia, which, 
 forming in line of battle, marched to the position indicated. Imme- 
 diately afterwards* I received directions to send another regiment to 
 the same point and with the same instructions. The thirty-fourth 
 Georgia, commanded now by Lieutenant Colonel Bradley, was sent. The 
 two regiments last referred to, in the position they now occupied, held 
 the crest of the ridge between the fortified point, heretofore referred 
 to, and the railroad. Immediately upon their arrival at their respective 
 positions, each regiment, in succession, became hotly engaged 
 with the enemy, who occupied a declivity behind a ridge about thirty 
 yards from the ridge occupied by our troops. At this point the gal- 
 lant Colonel McConnell fell, shot through the head with a rifle ball. 
 Actuated by a zealous desire to place his troops in a position where 
 they could be most effectively employed against the enemy, he rode 
 forward to the front and right of his regiment. In this he was plainly 
 exposed to the view of the enemy's line. His life fell a sacrifice to his 
 zeal and fidelity to the public cause. In his death the Confederacy lost 
 
44 
 
 a most gallant and meritorious soldier, and the State of Georgia a 
 most useful and patriotic citizen. 
 
 While the two regiments last referred to had been taking up their 
 position on Cleburne's left, the other two regiments of the brigade, 
 the fifty-sixth and thirty-sixth Georgia, had been conducted by the 
 Brigadier General, in person, in rear of the fortified knob. Shortly 
 after attaining this position, an order was received from Major Gen- 
 eral Stevenson to send another regiment to Cleburne's left. The 
 fifty-sixth Georgia was formed and marched in line of battle up the 
 knoll, the brigade commander directing its movements in person. 
 Before attaining the crest of the ridge, I encountered Major General 
 Cleburne, to whom I reported, and by whom I was directed to carry 
 the regiment to the highest point of the knob, and to the nearest 
 place behind the breastworks where it would be sheltered, and to 
 retain that position. In attaining this position the regiment was sub- 
 jected to a very heavy fire, during which Lieut. Colonel Slaughter 
 fell, wounded in the leg by a fragment of shell. 
 
 Upon my appearance on the hill, I was met by several officers of 
 the rank of colonel, whose troops were engaged in the breastwerks, 
 and who were acquainted with the situation of affairs, who advised 
 me that our troops in the outer line were being shot down by the 
 enemy, who was completely under shelter, and that a brisk, effective 
 charge at that point would probably succeed in driving him from the 
 front of the works. I was advised, at the same time, of an opening 
 of forty or fifty yards in the breastworks, immediately in my front, 
 through which I could make the charge. I at once approved tho idea, 
 but felt that another regiment would be necessary to its successful 
 prosecution, and 1 desired, likewise, to obtain the consent of the 
 Major General commanding to the measure. I at once dispatched my 
 assistant adjutant general, Captain Phinizy, to bring on the thirty- 
 sixth Georgia regiment. At the same time a messenger was sent to 
 Major General Cleburne to ask his assent to the proposed charge. 
 The thirty-sixth Georgia was very shortly brought up and placed in 
 rear of the fifty-sixth, and about ten paces from it. These regiments 
 were commanded at this time respectively by Captain Grice and Cap- 
 tain Morgan. Calling these officers, together with several other of 
 the senior officers of the regiments around me, I explained to them, 
 in detail, the movement about to be executed, and the mode of pro- 
 ceeding that I desired them to adopt. This was, substantially, to 
 push forward, on the word being given, at the " double-quick," pass- 
 ing over every obstacle that they might encounter, breaking over the 
 breastworks and the men that line them, when they should reach that 
 point, and engage the enemy with the bayonet, not opening fire until 
 he shoutd commence to give way. 
 
 I observed, upon the part of the commanders just mentioned, as 
 well as their subordinates, a manifest disposition to perform the work 
 required at their hands with zeal and alacrity. The rank and file of 
 the regiments also seemed to be moved by a desire to engage the 
 enemy in a hand to hand conflict. 
 
 The charge was not delayed by Major General Cleburne. We 
 
45 
 
 had but completed all preparations for it, when an order was brought 
 me from that officer to move forward on the charge and engage the 
 enemy. Immediately the word was given, the men stood up in their 
 ranks, and at the word " forward," rushed on, with a cheer; ODe regi- 
 ment following immediately in rear of the other. On arriving at the 
 open space, heretofore mentioned as existing between the two posi- 
 tions of our breastworks on the hill, it was found that this opening 
 was only sufficiently extensive to admit the passage out of one-third 
 of the regimental front. This compelled the men upon the flank of 
 the regiments to make their way out by climbing over the men in the 
 ditches and the breastworks. This unavoidably created some con- 
 fusion, which was added to by a heavy volley poured in by the enemy. 
 
 By the energetic exertion of the officers, the two regiments were, 
 however, in a few moments reformed and started forward. The two 
 regiments of the brigade upon our left, who, up to this time, had not 
 been acting in conjunction with us, being apprised of the charge 
 being made by their comrades on the right, under the direction of 
 their regimental commanders, moved forward and engaged the enemy 
 in their front, thus supporting us on the left, and making the 
 charge — one of brigade front — all along the line. The charge was 
 entirely successful. The men, exhibiting great bravery and deter- 
 mination, and, gallantly led on by their officers, met the enemy in a 
 short but decisive hand-to-hand encounter, and drove him over the 
 elope on which he had been posted. The enemy which was immediately 
 in front of us took shelter behind rocks and trees, and, supported by 
 heavy columns in his rear, kept up a brisk and galling fire upon us. 
 Thib fire was returned with spirit by our troops, who, however, having 
 been considerably broken up by the nature of the ground traversed, 
 and by the sharp conflict with the enemy, gradually drew back to the 
 top of the ridge, in the neighborhood of the rifle-pits, the enemy 
 closing up behind us cautiously and slowly, without any disposition 
 to charge. 
 
 Having readjusted the line, and given the command for ten or 
 fifteen minutes' rest, the charge was again called, and the troops a 
 third time rushed down the hill-side with great courage and alacrity, 
 and, charging upon the enemy in the flat, in a short time completely 
 routed him and drove him in confusion beyond his supports. The 
 troops retained their positions at the foot of the slope until their dead 
 and wounded were brought in. There being no further indication of 
 an advance upon the part of the enemy, the brigade was then drawn 
 behind the breastworks, and rested on its arms, in rear of certain 
 fresh troops who were found in that position. 
 
 Shortly after our withdrawal to the point designated, I received an 
 order from Major General Cleburne to move my brigade down the 
 ridge towards the left. After moving about half a mile to the left, I 
 found the head of ray column approaching a line of battle, drawn up 
 at right angles to the ridge. On riding forward, I ascertained it was 
 Brigadier General Brown's brigade. On consultation with that offi- 
 cer, I was advised to retain my (then) position until instructions 
 should be received from Lieutenant General Hardee. At this moment 
 
46 
 
 the enemy opened fire upon the troops that were in front of Brigadier 
 General Brown, and, those troops giving back, General Brown's brig- 
 ade was faced about and marched to the rear, pursuant to orders 
 previously given him. This produced some little confusion in my 
 troops, which was, however, shortly rectified, and they were marched 
 forward and placed in line of battle on General Brown's right, and in 
 continuation of his line. Immediately thereafter we received orders 
 from Major General Cheatham to move our troops from the field by 
 the left flank, moving towards Chickamaqga Depot. This was effected 
 under cover of night, and without loss or confusion. 
 
 In a contest in which all concerned bore themselves so well, it is 
 impossible to particularize. The regiments all conducted themselves 
 with distinguished gallantry. In the several charges, five colors and 
 many prisoners were taken by the brigade. The commanders of the 
 fifty-sixth and thirty-eighth Georgia regiments (Captains Grice and 
 Morgan) managed their regiments with great boldness and energy. 
 The brigade commander also received valuable assistance from Acting 
 Adjutant Brewster, of the fifty-sixth regiment. 
 
 Captains Cody, Wise and Phinizy, and Lieutenant Steiner, of my 
 staff, were with me during the engagement, and were especially active 
 and prompt in discharge of their duty. They rendered valuable aid 
 in encouraging and leading on the troops. In the final charge, Cap- 
 tain Cody, acting assistant inspector general, had his leg broken 
 by a musket ball, and Lieutenant Steiner, my aid-de-camp, was 
 wounded in the hand by a fragment of shell. 
 
 I send herewith a list of casualties. 
 
 I am, Major, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 A. CUMMING, 
 Brigadier General. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL BROWN. 
 
 Headquarters Brown's Brtgxde, 
 
 November 30, 1863. 
 
 i 
 
 To Major J. J. Reeve, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General, Stevenson's Division : 
 
 Major : I beg to submit a report of the part performed by my 
 command in the battle of Lookout mountain and Missionary ridge, 
 the 20th and 25th of November, 1863. 
 
 On Monday night, 23d of November, Major General Stevenson 
 directed me to take command of his division, then occupying the 
 summit of Lookout mountain and defending the approaches at that 
 point and on the west slope of the mountain as far as Nichojack trail, 
 a distance of ten miles. At twelve o'clock that night, I was ordered 
 by the Major General to send Cumming's brigade to the base of Look- 
 out mountain to report to Brigadier General Jackson, and Haggerty'g 
 battery of Parrott guns to report to Brigadier General Anderson on 
 the right of the line on Missionary ridge. Early on Tuesday morn- 
 ing, the 24th, the pickets at passes of the mountain were reinforced, 
 and at twelve, M., in obedience to my order from the Major General 
 commanding, I sent Pettus' brigade, except the twenty-third and 
 thirtieth Alabama regiments, to report to Brigadier General Jackscn, 
 half way down the mountain, leaving me only half of my own brig- 
 ade, the twenty-third and thirtieth Alabama, and Corquit's battery of 
 Napoleons. The eighteenth and twentieth regiments, (consolidated.) 
 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Butler, were disposed at 
 Powell's and Nichojack's trails and the contiguous passes. Powell's 
 trail is seven and Nichojack's ten miles from the north point of Look- 
 out. The pass at the point over those nearest to it for two and a half 
 miles on the west side, were held by detachments from the twenty- 
 third and thirtieth Alabama regiments, while reserves from the same 
 regiments, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Hundley, officer of 
 the day, were held near the line of defences south of Summertown to 
 reinforce the pickets. One section of the battery, under charge of 
 
 , was in position near the point, while the other section was 
 
 held disposable between the point and the lino of defences on tho 
 south. About half-past twelve, P. M., I moved tho thirty-second 
 Tennessee, the largest regiment of my brigade, to reinforce the point 
 and to support the battery. At ten o'clock, P. M., the two Napoleon 
 guns on the point opened hre upon the enemy then passing near the 
 Craven house, and continued it incessantly for two hours. At the 
 same time, I deployed sharpshooters from the thirty-second Tennes- 
 see and the thirtieth Alabama down tho sides of the mountain and 
 directed a fire upon the enemy's flank. I ordered rocks rolled down 
 the mountain also. The fog was so dense that we could not see the 
 enemy, although we could hear his march, and, guided by thi3 and 
 the report of his musketry, our fire was directed. His advance was 
 
48 
 
 quickly checked and his fire materially abated, and doubtless the 
 effect of the shells from the two Napoleon guns and the fire of 
 our sharpshooters contributed largely to this end. Late in the after- 
 noon (the hour not recollected) I reported to the Major General com- 
 manding, in answer to a summons from him, and was informed that 
 he had been directed by General Bragg to withdraw from the moun- 
 tain. I gave orders to all the troops to be ready to move at seven, 
 P. M. Nearly all of our wagons had been ordered the night previous 
 to Chickanoauga station for supplies and had not returned. The con- 
 sequence was that our camp equipage and part of our baggage was 
 abandoned. At seven, P. M , the troops, artillery and ordnance 
 trains were quietly withdrawn to the valley by the Chattanooga road 
 and crossed Chattanooga creek by ten o'clock. The eighteenth and 
 twentieth Tennessee regiments were withdrawn by the McCullough 
 road, and crossed the valley and Missionary ridge by way of Ross- 
 t i 1 1 e and did not form a junction with the command until late the 
 afternoon of the next day. I halted my brigade on the east side of 
 the Chattanooga creek fronting on that stream, my right resting on 
 the left of Breckinridge's line. At four, A. M., the 25th, I received 
 orders from Major Clare, of General Bragg's staff, to move to the 
 extreme right of the line, which 1 did at once, reaching the position 
 of Major General Cleburne immediately after sunset. Under the 
 direction of Major General Stevenson, I formed with my left resting 
 over the tunnel through which the East Tennessee and Virginia rail- 
 road passes Missionary ridge. My line was soon afterwards changed 
 by Lieutenant General Hardee so as to be in position to support 
 Cleburne's left, or hold the railroad, as occasion might demand. My 
 skirmishers covered the ground from Cleburne's left to the railroad, 
 moving as far forward as Glass station. An hour or two later, by 
 direction of Major General Stevenson, I moved up so as to occupy 
 the interval between the left of Cleburne's line of defence and the 
 railroad. Prolonging Cleburne's line to the railroad, my left con- 
 siderably advanced. I occupied this position till near sunset. My 
 skirmishers were all the while engaged, and so hotly for a time that I 
 reinforced the line until nearly all my command were deployed as 
 skirmishers. They checked the enemy and prevented his advance, 
 killed and wounded many and captured fifty prisoners. I did not 
 advance from my position because my orders left me no discretion. 
 Indeed, there was probably no time when it would have been advisable. 
 About three o'clock, P. M., Major General Cleburne suggested to 
 me that I might change my front forward on my right battalion and 
 attack the column of the enemy in flank, which was moving imme- 
 diately on his front. I told him I had just returned from my line 
 of skirmishers, who were hotly engaged, and if I changed the 
 lirection of my line I would be exposed to a terrible fire on my 
 flank from the enemy, who was lying under the hill not more than 
 three hundred yards in my front. He readily saw that the move- 
 ment would be hazardous, and directed me not to make it, but to 
 retain my position. About one hour before sunset I was ordered 
 to more rapidly towards the centre and report to Major General 
 
49 
 
 Cheatham with my command. By this officers directions, I formed 
 on the left of the remnant of Walthall's brigade, which had its right 
 resting on the line of deferice, the enemy having previously pene- 
 trated the centre of our line on Missionary ridge. There was an 
 irregular line in our front, skirmishing with the enemy, but it soon 
 retired in broken fragments, and we then advanced. I had orders 
 to conform the movements of my part of the line to that of the 
 command on my right. Before advancing one hundred yards the 
 troops on my right gave way in great disorder, and while that portion 
 was being reformed, orders arrived for me to move by the left Sank 
 across to Chickamauga by way of the railroad bridge. Major General 
 Cheatham conducted the movement, and in less thao three hours we 
 had effected the crossing near the Shallow ford road. 
 
 My entire command, without an exception, behaved well. Captain 
 Tucker, thirty-second Tennessee regiment, had charge of the line of 
 skirmishers on the 25th, and deserves the highest praise for his skill 
 and coolness. I am under renewed obligations to Captain II. J. 
 Cheney, assistant adjutant general, J. T. Brown, first lieutenant and 
 aid-de-camp, Captain J. B. Moore, assistant inspector general of my 
 etaff, and M. II. Carter and Geo B. McCallum, acting staff officers--, 
 for the prompt and efficient discharge of their respective duties. 
 
 Attention is invited to the reports of the regimental commanders 
 herewith filed, respectively, A, B, C, D, and E. 
 I have the honor to be, Major, 
 
 Most respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 J. W. BROWN, 
 Brigadier Gcnr 
 
t 
 
 REPORT OF BRIGDIER GENERAL PETTUS. 
 
 Headquarters Pettus' Brigade, ? 
 
 Camp near Dalton, Georgia, Dec. 6th, 1863. 5 
 
 Major Ingram, Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 Sir : At half past twelve o'clock, on the 24th ult., I was with my 
 command on the top of Lookout mountain, and was then ordered by 
 Brigadier General Brown, commanding Stevenson's division, to re- 
 port, with three regiments of my command, to Brigadier General 
 Jackson, commanding at the Craven house. I moved at once with 
 the twentieth, thirty-first and forty-sixth Alabama regiments, and at 
 the head of the column. I found Brigadier General Jackson at the 
 joint where the road to the Craven house leaves the road leading down 
 the mountain. Communicating my orders, I was directed to hasten 
 forward, and reinforce Brigadier General Moore, at the Craven house. 
 
 On the way, I met squads of Moore's and Walthall's brigades, and, 
 when about three hundred yards from the Craven house, I found that 
 that point had been carried by the enemy. The two brigades which 
 had held the point had fallen back. Here I found Brigadier General 
 Walthall, with the remnant of his command, formed at right angles 
 with, and on the left of the road, gallantly fighting to stay the ad- 
 vance of the enemy. He informed me that he had lost a large part 
 of his command, that his ammunition was nearly exhausted, and that 
 he could not hold the position he then had. Having no time to send 
 back for orders, and finding the fighting was then all on the left of 
 the road, I moved my command, though right in front, by filing to the 
 left, directly up the mountain side, to the rock bluff. As soon as 
 formed, my command was faced by the rear rank, moved forward, re- 
 lieving Walthall's brigade, and was at once engaged with the enemy. 
 Whilst my command was moving into position, I sent an officer to the 
 right, to find Brigadier General Moore, and to ascertain his condition 
 and the position of his line. In this way I learned that Moore's left 
 was about one hundred and fifty yards from my right, and his right 
 jesting at the large rocks in the road, above the mouth of Chatta- 
 nooga creek. I then went down to Moore's line, and had a few mo- 
 ments consultation with him, and,, at his request, extended intervals 
 to the right, so as to connect with his line. 
 
 The facts were communicated by me to Brigadier General Jackson, 
 with the request that he would come forward, look at the line, and 
 give us orders ; but he did not come in person, but sent orders that 
 the position must be held. Meantime, the enemy made repeated as- 
 saults on my left, next to the bluff, but were bravely met and repulsed 
 by the twentieth Alabama regiment and four companies of the thirty- 
 first Alabama regiment. 
 
 Knowing that Brigadier General Moore's line was weak, and know-- 
 inc that his men were almost out of ammunition, I again sent Cap- 
 tain Smith, of my staff, to inform the Brigadier General commanding 
 
61 
 
 as to the progress of the fight, and to ask his assistance. Captain 
 Smith found Brigadier General Jackson at the headquarters of Major 
 General Stevenson, on the top of the mountain, who was then com- 
 manding the forces west of Chattanooga creek, about one mile and a 
 half from the fight, where General Jackson informs me he had gone 
 to confer with General Stevenson as to the mode in which the troops 
 should be withdrawn in case the enemy should get possession of the 
 mountain road. In answer to my communication, 1 was directed to 
 hold my position a3 long as possible. When I had to send again to 
 the Brigadier General commanding, he was still on the top of the 
 mountain. 
 
 After my command had been engaged about two hours, Brigadier 
 General Walthall having formed the remnant of his brigade and sup- 
 plied his men with ammunition, returned with his command into the 
 tight on the left, and our commands fought together from that time 
 until relieved. 
 
 It should be remarked that, during the day, the fog was very dense 
 en the mountain side ; it was almost impossible to distinguish any 
 object at the distance of one hundred yards. The enemy made no 
 attack on my right nor on Brigadier General Moore's line ; but the 
 attack on the left was continued, and finding that the purpose of the 
 enemy was to force my left, at the suggestion of Brigadier General 
 Walthall, I ordered Captain Davis, commanding the twentieth Ala- 
 bama regiment, to move forward, keeping his left well up to the bluff, 
 and drive the enemy from the higher ground they then held. The 
 order was executed promptly and in gallant style. The higher ground 
 was gained and held during the fight. 
 
 About eight o'clock at night, Clayton's brigade, commanded by Col- 
 onel Holtzclaw, relieved Walthall's brigade and the twentieth and thirty- 
 first Alabama regiments, of my command. These two regiments 
 were withdrawn, and formed in the road a short distance in the rear. 
 Sometime after th;s, I went to the road leading down the mountain, 
 and there met Brigadier General Jackson coming down. He directed 
 me to keep my command where it was and await orders, and then 
 passed on down the mountain. After one o'clock that night, I re- 
 ceived orders from the Brigadier General commanding, to retire with' 
 my command across Chattanooga creek at the upper bridge, which 
 was done quietly and in good order. 
 
 Captains Jones and Smith, of my staff, bore themselves gallantly 
 throughout the affair. 
 
 Below is a statement of the casualties in my command. It is small. 
 The day was dark and the men well sheltered in the rocks. 
 I am, sir, most respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 E. W. PETTUS, 
 Brigadier General commanding. 
 
 CASUALTIES in Ptitus i Brigade, in the. fight of 24th ultimo : 
 Killed, 9 ; wounded, 3S; missing, 9. Total loss 56. 
 
ItErGRT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL MOORE. 
 
 Headquarters Moore's Brigade, Cheatham's Division, / 
 Near DJton, Ga., Dec. 3, 1863. \ 
 
 Major John Ingram, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 Major : I have the honor to submit the following report of the part 
 taken by this brigade in the engagement on Lookout mountain, on 
 the 24th, and that on Missionary ridge, on the 25th ultimo : 
 
 The brigade was composed of the thirty-aoventh Alabama, Lieuten- 
 ant Colonel Green commanding, the fortieth Alobima, Colonel Hig- 
 ley, and the forty-second Alabama, Lieutenant Colonel Lanier. The 
 result of the engagement on the mountain, a3 I conceive, renders it 
 necessary for me to enter more fully into details than I would other- 
 wise do. 
 
 This position was occupied by my brigade on the right, and Wal- 
 thall's on the left, or beyond the Craven house, the whole force being 
 under the command of Brigadier General J. K.Jackson. My brigade 
 had charge of the picket line from the mouth of Cattanooga creek to 
 the railroad crossing of Lookout creek, and Walthall's, from that point 
 around to the left. 
 
 A few days previous to the attack, I made a rcconnoissance of the 
 whole picket line, and forwarded a report, by order of Lieutenant 
 General Hardee, through Brigadier General Jackson. At this time the 
 picket line on Lookout creek extended up that stream about two miles, 
 to a good ford, near an old mill. Our line thus being very long, re- 
 quiring a large detail (seven hundred) from our comparatively small 
 force, I advised, in my report, the shortening of the line by turning 
 up the mountain at a point known as the Surry house, and that the 
 ford at the old mill be watched by scouting parties during the day 
 and videttes at night. A day or two after this, General Walthall 
 informed me that he had been instructed to picket along the creek 
 only as far as the railroad bridge, extending his line from that point 
 up the mountain. This threw our picket line very near the brigade 
 on the left, rendering them very liable to a surprise, by the enemy 
 crossing above and coming down on the left. Whether this was the 
 case on the day of the assault, I am nr>t sufficiently informed to state, 
 though the result seems to indicate such to have been the case. Up 
 to the time of the assault, none of the enemy had crossed in front of 
 my picket line, and those who escaped inform me that the first inti- 
 mation they had of the presence of the enemy, on the south side of 
 the creek, was their appearance in force on the side of the mountain 
 in their rear. Consequently the greater portion of the picket force 
 of this brigade (two hundred and twenty-five) were captured. 
 
 About eleven o'clock, on the morning of the 24th, I learned tho 
 enemy were forming their forces in line of battle in front of our 
 pickets. I went immediately to a point beyond the Craven house, 
 
53 
 
 from which I could see that such was the case, and reported the fact in 
 note to Brigadier General Jackson, informing him also they had com- 
 menced skirmishing with our pickets. I ordered my brigade at once 
 under arms, ready to move where ordered. General Jackson ordered 
 me, through a stuff officer, to place my brigade in the trenches, on 
 the right of Walthall's. General Walthall's brigade not being in 
 position in the trenches, I informed him of my order, and asked him 
 where his right would rest. I could get no definite answer ; he 
 merely stating that he intended to fight first beyond the entrench- 
 ments and then falling back, if he found it necessary to do so, and 
 desired that I leave vacant, on the left, space for his command. One 
 of General Jackson's staff being present, told me to wait until he could 
 see the General, and get further or more definite instructions. But 
 the firing on the left in a few moments becoming quite hea- 
 thought it advisable to place my command in position without furtjier 
 orders. I at once moved the brigade, urging upon. the commanders 
 the iriiportance of dispatch ; but, to my utter astonishment, before wo 
 reached the trenches (a distance of three or four hundred yards) the 
 enemy had driven back Walthall's brigade, south of the Craven house, 
 and had even occupied a portion of the trenches of my brigade, from 
 which we very soon drove them, on our arrival. We were thus com- 
 pelled to enter the entrenchments under the fire of the enemy in front, 
 arid a very heavy fire from the Moccasin Point batteries, within short 
 range. As Walthall's brigade, where driven back, did not occupy the 
 line on our left, or at least the portion near the Craven house which 
 we could see, the enemy got possession of that position, end also the 
 commanding ground near the house, from which they completely en- 
 filaded my left, which was afterwards retired a little to the right, 
 under cover of the rising ground. We held the position from this 
 time until between three and four o'clock, the enemy repeatedly 
 charging, but repulsed, two of their color-bearers being shot down by 
 our men in the trenches, while attemp:ing to plant their colors on the 
 embankment. 
 
 I have never before seen them fight with such daring and de?p?n- 
 ti^n. Though they got possession of the Craven house at an early 
 hour, yet they did not attempt to turn the left flank until between 
 three and f^ur o'clock, P. M. We had now been engaged near three 
 hours. We had but thirty rounds of ammunition at first, that being 
 the capacity of the cartridge boxes issued to the brigade, and this sup- 
 ply was now nearly exhausted ; entirely so with some of the men. I 
 had not seen Brigadier General Jackson during the day. He gave 
 me no orders during the engagement. I sent a staff officer to his 
 headquarters to inform him of our condition, but he returned and 
 reported he could not find General Jackson, who was absent. 
 
 If we had been properly supported on the left, I believe we could 
 have held the trenches even with empty guns. But that support was 
 not given us. 
 
 The enemy gradually pressed around my left with an increasing 
 force. I reluctantly gave the order to fall back. We retired about 
 three hundred yards without any great confusion. We here found 
 
54 
 
 Pettus' brigade in line of battle, the prolongation of which line we 
 had selected for a second position. Had General Jackson informed 
 me that his brigade was coming to our support, and had thrown it for- 
 ward to the trenches on our left, I am confident there would have been 
 no necessity for withdrawing my command from the first position, as 
 this would have prevented our being flanked, or could have driven 
 back the enemy from the left. Had General Jackson been on the 
 ground and given proper orders for the disposition of his command, I 
 feel assured the result would have been very different. The second 
 line we held until about two o'clock, A. M., the 25th, when we were 
 ordered to fall back south of Chattanooga creek. 
 
 Our position on Missionary Ridge, on the 25th, was between Wal- 
 thall's brigade on our right and Jackson's on the left. After the 
 enemy broke our centre, Jackson's brigade was placed perpendicular 
 to the former line to prevent the enemy from sweeping along the line 
 to the right. General Cheatham ordered me to~march my brigade by 
 the flank, in rear of and to the left of Jackson's, so as to cover the 
 base of the ridge, and support that brigade. While executing. this 
 order, and just as our leading files passed the left of Jackson's bri- 
 gade, that brigade gave way, rushing hack through the ranks of mine, 
 which was still marching by the flank. After stopping them and 
 restoring some order, the two brigades fought as one, both officers and 
 men, though we had at first great difficulty in holding them in line. 
 I did not see General Jackson or any of his staff whom I recognized, 
 except Captain Marino, during the engagement. 
 
 The enemy made great efforts to drive us from the position, but 
 failed. We determined to hold it at all hazards, believing that the 
 safety of the right wing of the army, in some measure, and particu- 
 larly the artillery, depended on our holding this position, which cov- 
 ered one of the roads leading to Chickamauga. We .held the line 
 until nearly dark, when I observed the right falling back, and, on 
 inquiring the cause, was informed that an order had been passed down 
 the line from Lieutenant General Hardee to fall back. As a general 
 thing the officers and men of the brigade acted, well. I observed Col- 
 onel Wilkeison, of the eighth Mississippi, and Lieutenant Colonel 
 Edwards, of the forty-seventh Georgia, of Jackson's brigade, who 
 acted vith marked gallantry. Others conducted themselves well, 
 whom I did not recognize. 
 
 My own command acted much better than might have been expected 
 under the circumstances, as they fought during the engagements of 
 the two days with atrms that had been condemned as unfit for service, 
 and which were received while at Demopolis, Ala., to be used only for 
 drill and guard duty. 
 
 I am, Major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN C. MOORE, 
 Brigadier General commanding. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 Headquarters Cheatham's Division, ^ 
 
 Near Dalton, Georgia, December 21, 1863. $ 
 
 Major J. J. Reeve, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 Major: My report of the unfortunate disaster on Lookout noun- 
 tain, on. the 24th ultimo, has been somewhat delayed in conseqvience 
 of the delay of the brigade commanders in sending their reports to 
 me; the last of which, that of Brigadier General Moore, was rec< 
 this day. The result cf that day's operations and the character of the 
 reports of brigade commanders, which are herewith enclosed, require 
 of me a report more in detail than I would otherwise make it, and 
 will excuse the personal cast which it assumes. 
 
 On the Oth November, 1863. in conformity with orders from army 
 headquarters, being temporarily in command of Cheatham's division. 
 I reported to Major General W. II. F. Walker. A reorganization of 
 the army having just taken place, I hid with me, to report to General 
 Walker, but one brigade of the division, Wright's brigade having 
 left at Charleston, Tenn., under orders, and Moore's and Walthall's 
 brigades having not then reported to me under the new organization. 
 My headquarters were located on the west side of Chattanooga creek, 
 at a point advised by General Walker, and my brigade was placed 
 where he directed. On the same day I was invited by General Walker 
 to accompany him and Lieutenant General Hardee to the Craven's 
 house, which 1 did The ground in that neighborhood was passed 
 over, viewed and discussed, but no lino to fight on was rec online 
 by any one present. Indeed, it was agreed on all hands, that the 
 position was one extremely difficult of defence against a strong force 
 of the enemy advancing under cover of a heavy artillery fire. 
 
 General Walker's opinion was expressed to the effect that, at a cer- 
 tain point to which we had walked, which was a narrow pass, artillery 
 should be placed in position, extending to the left, for a short di3taucc 
 towards the top of the mountain : that this would prevent any surprise 
 by forces approaching in that direction, and, at the same time, they 
 would answer the guns from the hills on the opposite side of Lookout 
 creek : also to have artillery near the Craven house to answer the 
 Moccasin battery guns. By the first arrangement, he said the artil- 
 lery could have retreated by the roads, and the infantry which was 
 put there to defend the artillery and pas3 would have felt strong, and 
 been better satisfied and better able to hold their position. 
 
 He said his experience was that infantry care but little for artillery 
 if they have artillery to respond with, and that they are soon demoral- 
 ized when they have quietly to sit and receive artillery fire, without 
 having some of their own to reply with. I ventured to express my 
 own opinion to Lieutenant General Hardee subsequently, and in it I 
 differed somewhat, not without great presumption, but with equal diffi- 
 
56 
 
 dence, from that of so experienced a soldier as General Walker. If 
 we were defeated on the slope, the guns, as I thought, must inevitably 
 be lost from the impossibility of removing them, under fire, from their 
 positions. My plan of defence was to place a gun in every available 
 position on Lookout point, and to sink the wheels or elevate the trails, 
 so as to command the slope of the mountains ; in addition to which I 
 respectfully suggested that, on the point, a sharpshooter should be 
 placed wherever a man could stand, so as to annoy the flank of the 
 enemy. In my judgment, there was no place northwest of the Craven 
 house, at which our infantry force could be held on the slope of the 
 mountain, and, in consequence of this firm conviction, I gave orders 
 to Brigadier General Walthall, which are hereinafter mentioned. 
 
 Upon my return to the foot of the mountain, on the 9th No /ember, 
 1 found Brigadier General Walthall and his brigade in camp there. Brig. 
 General Moore's brigade was then at the Craven house, where it had 
 been for a time ; how long I am not informed. General Walker 
 directed that Brigadier General Gist, commanding his division, and I, 
 with my own and Walthall's brigades, of Cheatham's division, should 
 defend the line from Chattanooga creek to the foot of the mountain, 
 and permitted us to divide the line, according to our respective 
 strength, as we wished. 
 
 Afier riding along the line with General Gist, we made' the appor- 
 tionment of it and gave Orders to our respective commands. At that 
 iiive, I bad no command over the mountain slope, altho'igh one of my 
 brigades (Moore's) of the division was then on duty at or near the 
 Craven house. General Moore was in command of that portion of 
 the line, under General Walker's orders, from 10th to 14th Novem- 
 ber. The command I found General Walker exercising, extended 
 over all the troops west of Chattanooga' creek, under the general 
 supervision of Lieutenant General Hardee, and upon General Walker 
 going away, on a short leave, on the 1 2th November, which he in- 
 formed me he had some weeks before applied for, and upon the assur- 
 ance of Genera] Bragg that he would telegraph him when Sherman 
 came up, before which time he anticipated no trouble, this command 
 devolved on me. I at once asked for written instructions from the 
 corps commander as to the mode of defence of the line, but received 
 ncne. The command was a unit, and was doubtless intended to be 
 handled as such. I continued to exercise it, and gave orders, subject 
 to the approval of Lieutenant General Hardee, until his headquar- 
 ters were removed from the extreme right of the army to a point a 
 little east of Chattanooga creok. This was about the 1 4th November. 
 
 About this time, I went to the top of the mountain with Lieutenant 
 General Hardee. We there met General Bragg, and after a view 
 from Lookout point, General Bragg indicated a line on the slope of 
 the mountain, which, from that stand- point, he thought ought to bo 
 the fighting line. As we descended the mountain, I again rode out 
 with Lieutenant General Llardee to the Craven house, and again 
 looked over the ground. The line indicated by General Bragg, v. r as 
 found to present quite a different appearance, upon a close view, from 
 the same as seen from the mountain top. This line, as I understood 
 
57 
 
 it, passed from Lockout point, a little in resr of the Craven house, 
 and down to a point not far from the junction of the Kelly's ferry 
 and Craven house roads, and thence to the precipitous locks near 
 the mouth of Chattanooga creek. The engineers were put to work 
 under some one's orders — whose I do not know — and fatigue parties 
 furnished to them from my command, at their request. 
 
 On the 14th November, a new disposition of the command was 
 made. Major General Stevenson was assigned to the command of the 
 troops and defences on. the top of Lookout mountain The ranking 
 officer of Cheatham's division was directed to assume command of all 
 troops and defences at and near the Craven house. The ranking 
 officer of Walker's division was charged with the line from the 
 of Lookout mountain east to Chattanooga creek, and all the troops not 
 at the points above named This order emanated from headquarters 
 Hardee's corps, and in conformity with it, as the ranking officer of 
 Cheatham's division, I assumed command of the trcops and defences 
 at and near the Craven house, and on the following day (the loth 
 November) established my headquarters at the junction of the Sum- 
 mertown road with the mountain side road, leading to the Craven 
 house, with the approval of Lieutenant General Hardee. On the same 
 day, Brigadier General Walthall's brigade relieved that of Brigadier 
 General Pettus' near the Craven ho'isc. 
 
 On the eight of the lGth or 17th, a fatigue party was ordered to 
 report to Lieutenant Steele, of the engineers, to commence work on 
 the new line below the Craven house. By direction of Lieutenant 
 General Hardee, I went out, in person, to see that the work was pro- 
 gressing ; found that there was a misundcrst an > the place of 
 reporting ; walked down the road a considerable distance along the 
 contemplated line ; then went to the Craven house and ordered the 
 detail to reassemble, and to report to Lieutenant Steele immediately. 
 This was at night. The work was directed to be done at night, as 
 the working party would be under the fire of the Moccasin Point bat- 
 teries. 
 
 General Walthall's troops being some distance in advance of the 
 proposed line, and exposed to the enemy's artillery fire, I ordered him, 
 on the 18th, with the approval of Lieutenant General Hardee, to 
 shorten his picket line, as he proposed, and notice of which I promptly 
 gave to General Stevenson, and to bring back his troops in the rear 
 (south) of the Craven house, leaving his picket line where they 
 were, supported by one regiment. 
 
 Upon inspection of the ground, General Walthall reported to me i 
 that, as General Moore's troops were also in the rear of the Craven 
 house, there would not be room enough for his brigade between Gen- 
 eral Moore's and my headquarters, and said that, as he supposed the 
 order I had given him was permissive, rather than directory, if I had 
 no objections, he would keep his troops where they were. To this I 
 assented, giving him, at the same time, instructions, if attacked by 
 the enemy in heavy force, to fall back fighting over the rocks. I ex- 
 pected, by the time his troops reached the Craven house, to be with 
 them, and form line of battle with Walthall's left against the cliff, and 
 
53 
 
 his right at or near the Craven house, and Moore prolonging this 
 line to the right This was the general line pointed out by General 
 Bragg, although it had not been defined by the engineers, nor had 
 any work been done it between the cliff and the Craven house. Be- 
 yond the Craven house there was no practicable line which was not 
 enfiladed by the enemy's batteries, except the covered way prepared 
 by General Jenkins, and the flank of that was expose;! to the infantry 
 attack. On the afternoon of the 20th, (I believe,) I visited the works 
 below the Craven house, in company with Captain Henry, of the di- 
 vision staff, and spent some time in their inspection. These works 
 being a mere rifle pit, would be of no service when the enemy were 
 once in possession of the Craven house, as they would thence be 
 taken in flank — almost in reverse. 
 
 On the 22d November, my own brigade was ordered to report to 
 me, and was moved from the top of the mountain, to the slope and 
 placed in the position which I had desired General Walthall to take. 
 On the 23d, it was ordered to the foot of the mountain, out of ray 
 command, to take, with Cumming's brigade, the place on the line 
 which had been occupied by Walker's division — my position and that 
 of General Stevenson — and thus each were weakened by a brigade. 
 On the same day a brisk fire of artillery and small arms was heard, 
 coming from the extreme right. It was supposed to be a struggle for 
 wood. Late in the afternoon of the 23d, General Stevenson was 
 pliiced in command of the forces west of Chattanooga creek, Lieu- 
 tenant General Hardee having been removed to the extreme right, 
 and on the sane night orders were received and distributed to prepare 
 three days' cooked rations, and to hold the troops in readiness to move 
 at a moment's notice. In order to avoid anything like a suprise 
 along the line, at about half-past seven o'clock, P M., I ordered 
 Captain Henry, of the division staff, to visit the " chiefs of pickets," 
 and direct them to be unusually vigilant in watching the movements 
 of the enemy and to guard against surprise. 
 
 About nine o'clock, A. M., of the 24th, I received a note from 
 General Walthall to the effect that the enemy were moving in heavy 
 force towards our left ; that their tents had nearly all disappeared and 
 their pontoon bridges been cut away. Shortly afterwards, I received 
 another note from him, to the effect that he was mistaken as to the 
 number of tents that had disappeared, but that many of those which 
 could be seen on previous days were not then visible. The originals 
 of both these notes were immediately dispatched to General Bragg, 
 and copies to General Stevenson. I also sent a staff officer to order 
 Generals Moore and Walthall to hold their commands under arms, 
 ready for action. I walked out on the road towards the Craven house, 
 to a favorable point, and could distinguish the enemy's troops in the 
 plain in front of Chattanooga ; all quiet ; no massing ; no movements of 
 any kind. From this point I sent another staff officer to the Craven 
 house, to report to me, immediately, anything of interest, and returned 
 myself to my position at the fork of the road. The demonstrations of 
 the enemy did not, down to this time, indicate the point of attack, 
 whether upon my portion of the line, or further to the left. General 
 
Stevenson inquired of me about this time, if Lneeded reinforcements, 
 to which I replied, that I could not tell until there were further 
 developments. I sent orders, by a staff officer, to Generals Moore 
 and Walthall, to place their troops in line as soon as skirmishing 
 commenced, but not unnecessarily to expose them to the fire of the 
 enemy's artillery. I expected, from the rugged nature of the ground, 
 and the fact that the enemy had to ascend the mountain, that the 
 picket fighting would continue for some time before the main body would 
 be engaged. About this time I received a message from Gen. Moore, 
 that be did not know where the line was. I sent back immediately 
 an order that General Walthall would occupy the left, and that he 
 (General Moore,) would form on General Walthall's right, pro! 
 ing the line in the earthworks below the Craven house, as far as his • 
 troops would extend. About twelve, M., I received a note from Gen- 
 eral Moore, that the enemy had formed line and commenced skir- 
 mishing with our pickets near ihe railroad bridge, crossing Lookout 
 creek ; that he could not then tell their object, and enquiring where 
 he should place his brigade. I sent to General Stevenson to ask for 
 the offered reinforcements. 
 
 Information came to me from General Walthall, about the E 
 time, that the pickets had commenced firing, and a message from Gen. 
 Stevenson, by Major Tickett, that the enemy was making an attack 
 on my line. I now asked, in writing, for a brigade from General Ste- 
 venson, to bo seu f . down at once, and ordered Major John Ingram, 
 int adjutant general, to direct General Walthall to fight back 
 the enemy with his pickets and reserves as long as possible, and 
 finally to take position with his left against the cliff, and his right 
 at or in direction of the Craven house, and to direct General Moore 
 to advance and form on the right of General Walthall, and prolong 
 the line in the earthworks below the Craven house, passing General 
 Moore's brigade moving up to their position, and to support General 
 Walthall's brigade, which was being rapidly driven back by over- 
 whelming numbers. 
 
 The substance of ray order was delivered by Major Ingram to Gen- 
 erals Moore and Walthall. The latter stated that although the order 
 did not reach him in time, he had carried it out in his efforts to defend 
 the position. General Moore, expressing a desire to have full sup- 
 ply of ammunition, was informed by Major Ingram that Captain. 
 Claik, division ordnance- officer, had been ordered to furnish him from 
 the division train. Within a few minutes after Major Ingram left, as 
 bearer of the above order to Generals Moore and Waltfrnll, I pro- 
 ceeded in person, accompanied by Major Vaulx, of the division staff, 
 to superintend the execution. Passing a great many stragglers, offi- 
 cers and men, along the road, I was met at some short distance 
 from the Craven house by an officer from General Walthall, who 
 brought the information that bis brigade had been driven back in con- 
 siderable confusion and that the Craven house was in possession of 
 the enemy. I immediately dispatched a staff officer to speed the 
 reinforcements and endeavored to rally the men, who were coming to 
 the rear in large numbers, and form a line, where I was selecting 
 
60 
 
 what I considered the most favorable position for a line, among rocks, 
 where no regular line was practicable, and where the battle could be 
 but a general skirmish. Failing in this, I rode back to the junction 
 of the roads, and there met Brigadier General Pettus, with three 
 regiments of his brigade. He informed me that he had been ordered 
 by General Stevenson to report to me. I directed him to proceed on 
 the road and form line to reinforce Generals Moore and Walthall. 
 I at the same time sent for a piece of artillery from the battalion of 
 the division, and upon its arrival, directed the officer in command 
 to select the most favorable position on the Craven house road and 
 check the enemy. He soon atter reported that he could find no posi- 
 tion in which he could use his gun to advantage, and for not more 
 than one or two shots at all. I remained generally at the junction 
 of the two roads, because I considered it most accessible from all 
 points. General Stevenson was communicating with me by the road 
 down the mountain, and Generals Pettus and Walthall by the cross- 
 road. General Pettus informed me, by an officer, of the disposition 
 made or his troops, and asked for orders. Having placed his regi- 
 ments on the left of the cross-road, with their left against the cliff, 
 and extended intervals so as to connect with General Moore on the 
 right of the road, I had no orders to give him except to hold that 
 position against the enemy. His dispositions were satisfactory, and 
 I did not wish to change them. I subsequently received a message 
 from him, that the enemy was pressing his left and asking for rein- 
 forcements, and at the same time I was informed by one of the divis- 
 ion staff that General Walthall had sent the fragments of two regi- 
 ments to that point and there was no danger to be apprehended there. 
 I replied to General Pettus that I had no reinforcements to send him ; 
 that no more could be obtained from General Stevenson, and he- must 
 hold his position. 
 
 The enemy being held in check, matters so continued, not mate- 
 rially changed, until quite late in the afternoon, when 1 received a 
 report, by an officer of General Moore's brigade, that unless he was 
 reinforced his right would be turned. Receiving intelligence also 
 from officers of pickets, who had escaped that way, that the Kelley's 
 Ferry road was entirely open, I knew that the enemy had only to 
 press forward on it to obtain control of our road from the mountain ; 
 find, expecting that they would certainly do so, 1 rode to the top of 
 the mountain to confer v-ith General Stevenson, my immediate supe- 
 rior, upon the subject. We agreed that if the enemy, did get posses- 
 sion of the road at or near the base of the mountain, I should with- 
 draw the troops of my command at dark, and join him on the top of 
 the mountain, and he so directed Availing myself of General Ste- 
 venson's writing material, I addressed written orders to the division 
 quartermaster, commissary, ordnance officer and chief of artillery, who 
 were in the plain below, to retire beyoud Chattanooga creek, and then 
 look for orders from corps headquarters, as I expected to be cut off 
 from them. After this short absence, I returned to my position on the 
 mountain side, and there remained until near dark, having sent orders 
 to the brigade commanders that if we were cut off or overpowered, we 
 
61 
 
 would retire by the top of the mountain, but to hold their positions, 
 if possible, until dark, and to await further orders. When it was near 
 dark, and when the firing had become rather desultory, I again went 
 to General Stevenson's headquarters for final orders as to withdrawing 
 the troops. I was there informed that General Bragg ordered us to 
 retire down the mountain — the road being still open — and that we 
 must assemble at the Gillespie house, to make final arrangements. 
 
 A guard having b;en detailed from my command for some subsis- 
 tence stores on the top of the mountain, I went to relieve them, but 
 found that it had already been done. Proceeding to the Gillespie 
 house, at the base of the mountain, I received orders from General 
 Bragg, through General Cheatham, as to the time and mode of with- 
 draw nig the troops, and immediately dispatched them to the brigade 
 commanders by the assistant adjutant general and the acting inspec- 
 tor general of the division. In conformity with these orders, the 
 troops retired south of Chattanooga creek, and the bridge was de- 
 stroyed. * 
 
 On the 20th of November, the date of the report nearest to the day 
 of the battle, Moore's brigade hid a total effective of one thousand 
 two hundred and five, and Walthall's brigade a total effective of one 
 thousand four hundred and eighty-nine. The casualties in the first 
 were lour killed, forty-eight wounded and one hundred and ninety nine 
 missing. In the second, the casualties were eight killed, ninety-one 
 wounded and eight hundred and forty-five captured. In Pettus' brig- 
 ade there were nine killed, thirty-eight wounded and nine missing. 
 
 General Moore ventures the opinion that if I had given proper 
 orders a different result would have been accomplished I beg leave 
 to differ. The whole effective force at my command, at the beginning, 
 was twenty-six hundred and ninety-four men. Of these, one thousand 
 and forty-four had been captured, some had been wounded, and a few 
 kiiled. The enemy's force was (as reported) a division and two brig- 
 ades. They were in possession of the high grounds around the Cra- 
 ven house, from which, by General Moore's own statement, his left 
 was completely enfiladed. Under these circumstances, I was unwill- 
 ing to hazard an advance movement with my shattered command, 
 though aided by the three regiments under General Tettus, who was 
 himself pressed by the enemy. General Moore adds a report of the 
 battle the next day on Missionary ridge, when he was not under my 
 command, and goes out of his way to say that he did not see me 
 during the engagement. I did not think it necessary for me to show 
 myself to him. If he had desired to see me, he could have found me at 
 all times during the engagement near the right of my line, which was 
 on the top of the ridge, while the left was down the hill. If General 
 Moore means to reflect upon the conduct of my brigade, I am glad to 
 say that there are other witnesses who bear different testimony. 
 
 General Walthall must have misapprehended the remark made to 
 him as I descended the mountain. I expected to receive orders from 
 General Bragg, but not to see him in person. These orders were to 
 come through General Cheatham. , 
 
 It may be remarked that there were two six-pounder guns at the 
 
62 
 
 Craven house, under the command of Lieutenant Gibson, but they 
 ■were without hor3es, and could not be moved. In their position they 
 could not be fired without endangering the troops of General Walthall. 
 Lieutenant Gibson's report accompanies this. He never reported to 
 me, although subject to my orders ; and his two guns were all the 
 artillery that I could command for purposes of defence, although I 
 took the responsibility of ordering up a piece from the battalion of 
 Cheatham's division. 
 
 General Walthall's communication, in relation to apiece of artillery 
 to be placed in position, was sent by me, immediately on its receipt, 
 to General Stevenson. Captain Henry, of the division staff, was the 
 # bearer of it. 
 
 The movements of the enemy were very rapid. An impenetrable 
 fog hung around the mountain all day. 
 I am, Major, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN K. JACKSON, 
 
 Brigadier General. 
 
ENGAGEMENT AT KNOXVILLE. 
 
 RErORT OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL M. A. HAYNE3. 
 
 Department of East Tennessee, ) 
 Knoxville, June 21, 1SG3. \ 
 
 To Major Von Shiliha, 
 
 Acting Chief of Staff : 
 
 Sir : At the request of Colonel Trigg, temporarily in command of 
 the troops at Knoxville, (in the absence of Major General Buekner,) 
 I have the honor to report to you the following particulars in regard 
 to the battle of yesterday : 
 
 On the 18th instant, I returned to this city from Sevier, where I 
 had been in command of an expedition against a party of bush- 
 whackers. 
 
 On ray arrival, I learned that Major General Buekner had marched 
 tn-svards Big Creek gap, with all the artillery and all the other disposa- 
 ble force at this post, except Colonel Trigg's fifty-first Virginia regi- 
 ment and Colonel Finley's seventh Florida regiment, effective force 
 about one thousand men. 
 
 On the morning of the 19th I was informed by Major Von Shiliha, 
 acting chief of staff, that the enemy, in large force, had passed by 
 London, and were at Lenoir station, twenty- four miles from Knoxville, 
 and he requested me to take charge of the artillery defence of the city 
 and to organize my force from the convalescents in the hospitals and 
 from citizens, to man my guns then in the city. At the same time he 
 gave the following order: 
 
 " Headquarters Department E^sT Tennessee. 
 
 t Imst Tennessee, > 
 " June 19, 1863. t 
 
 " Major Reynolds, chief of ordnance, will issue to Lieutenant Colonel 
 Ilaynes' corps artillery, C. S, A., as many field pieces as can possibly 
 be put in condition within a few hours. 
 
 ." He also will furnish Lieutenant Colonel Ilaynes with all necessary 
 equipments, and with one hundred rounds of ammunition. 
 
 •• By order of Major General Buekner. 
 
 " J. Von Shiliha, Chief of Staff.' 1 
 
64 
 
 In obedience to this order, (given to me in the absence of General 
 Biickner,) I went to the ordnance department and found eight pieces 
 of field artillery there, but no harness. Major Reynolds promptly 
 said that in one hour he would have the ammunition chests filled, and 
 that they would be subject to my orders. 
 
 I then went to Major Glover, chief quartermaster of East Tennes- 
 see, and requested him to send to the ordnance department seventy 
 horses or mules with harness, and drivers for every two. 
 
 In the meantime, the citizens of Knoxville had been ordered to 
 report to me or to Colonel Blake for duty, for the defence of the city. 
 
 Finding myself too much engaged to obey this order in person, I 
 appointed Major H. Baker (formerly of the artillery of Tennessee) to 
 receive and assign them to duty as they reported. 
 
 At three in the afternoon of that day, it was known that the enemy 
 was within five miles of the city, and their advance were skirmishing 
 Vihh thirty-seven of our cavalry men, all we had at Knoxville, at Mrs. 
 Lcmis' house. 
 
 At this hour, Major Glover had already sent the requisite number 
 of horses, mules and drivers for the eight pieces of artillery at the 
 ordnance department. I immediately posted them in sections at Col- 
 lege hill, under Major Baker, (the exposed point,) second on McGee's 
 hill, under Captain Hugh L. W. McClung, and third, under Lieuten- 
 ant Patterson and Lieutenant J. J. Burroughs, at Summit hill, in front 
 of the ordnance department. This last battery had been fortified 
 during the afternoon, under the superintendence of Captain Foster, of 
 the engineers, (by my order,) with a cotton bale revetment, the cot- 
 ton bales having been promptly sent from all quarters by Major 
 Glover, chief quartermaster. 
 
 During that evening, the enemy failing to advance, Colonel Trigg, 
 (temporarily in command at Knoxville,) without consulting me, 
 removed Major Baker's battery from College hill to a point near the 
 Asylum hospital. 
 
 In the evening, upon hearing the reports of my officers, I ascer- 
 tained that about two hundred persons, citizens, and convalescent sol- 
 diers from hospitals, had reported for duty, and that each of my bat- 
 teries was fully manned, although, in the morning of the same day, 
 there was no artillery force whatever in the city. 
 
 During the night I made a reconnoissance, passing through the 
 enemy's lines as a farmer, giving all the information they desired in 
 regard to the state of the defences ; telling them that they could 
 march into Knoxville without the loss of a man. I told them that I 
 eaw Colonel Hayne3 about sunset moving some cannon towards the 
 depot; I thought about four in all, drawn by mules. 
 
 Having passed to a point at which it was necessary for me to turn 
 off, and having all the information I could obtain, I returned to Knox- 
 ville at midnight. I visited all my batteries, and advised them that 
 early in the morning the enemy would attack, and directed Captain 
 McClung and Major Baker to consider themselves as reserved, to be 
 moved whenever needed. 
 
 During the night, the pickets of the enemy advanced upon the city, 
 
65 
 
 but our pickets, thrown out by Colonel Trigg, after an hour's skir- - 
 mish, drove them back at about two o'clock in the morning. At seven 
 o'clock, on the 20th, four pieces of artillery, detached by General 
 Buckner from his command, reached the ordnance depot, (where I 
 then was,) and I immediately conducted them to the rear as a reserve. 
 
 I then went to Summit Hill battery, where I found Colonel Trigg 
 and his chief of staff, Major Shiliha, near the hospital. While in 
 consultation with them, we saw the enemy march at double quick, 
 time on our right, beyond the work-shops, where we had neither 
 tery nor soldiers to oppose them. Colonel Trigg soon afterwards or- ■ 
 dered Colonel Finley's seventh regiment Florida volunteers, and two 
 pieces of Wyley's battery, to take possession of Temperance hill, but 
 before this order was given I had taken a section of Wyley's battery, 
 and moved them at a gallop to a point immediately in front of the 
 advancing column, and opened fire upon them with spherical case. 
 The enemy took shelter behind houses and fences, and threw forward 
 sharpshooters within two hundred yards cf our battery — we being 
 entirely unsupported by infantry, and four hundred yards from any 
 support. 
 
 At the same time, a battery of three-inch rifle guns, belonging to 
 the enemy, opened upon us at eight hundred yards, and, during the 
 first two or three shots, killed and wounded some of our men and 
 several horses. I then advanced the battery, and ordered them not 
 to fire at the artillery, but at the infantry. 
 
 The enemy, at this moment, forming column, advanced rapidly, and, 
 for a moment, I supposed the day was lost. At this moment, the 
 chief of the twelfth howitzer said to me, " Colonel, I can't hit them 
 fellows ; please get down and try it yourself." I dismounted, took 
 my post as a gunner to the left, ordered canister and sighted the piece 
 myself, and, after two rounds, the enemy was in full retreat, and the 
 day was won. 
 
 During the same time, the battery under Lieutenant J. J. Bur- 
 roughs and Lieutenant Patterson, on Summit hill, was also engaged, 
 and kept up a continual fire, during which Captain McClung and 
 Lieutenant Fellows were killed. 
 
 The section under Lieutenant Whelon having reached Temperance 
 hill, opened fire upon the retreating enemy, which, with the fire from 
 Wyley's battery, Burroughs' battery, and Major Baker's completed 
 the victory. 
 
 During the fight, although sharpshooters were sent out against us, 
 none were sent out to sustain us, although one thousand men were 
 immediately behind us. , 
 
 The enemy had one battery of artillery, and about two thousand 
 six hundred men, opposed to about one thousand men, part of whom 
 were citizens and convalescent soldiers. That they were fully beaten 
 may appear from the fact that the commanding officer of the enemy 
 sent to me a message, (by Lieutenant Lutrell, of the Confederate 
 States army, a prisoner paroled by him,) to the effect, " I send you 
 my compliments, and say that, but for the admirable manner with 
 
66 
 
 which, you managed your artillery, I would have taken Knoxville to- 
 day." 
 
 It is not out of place for me to say that Colonel E. D. Blake, chief 
 of conscripts, and, for the day, commander of all volunteer infantry, 
 contributed, by his zeal and well-known courage, to the honorable re- 
 sult. 
 
 Amongst many citizens who reported to me that day for duty, I 
 must not forget to mention Honorable Landon C. Haynes, Honorable 
 W. H. Sneed, Honorable John H. Crozier, Reverend James H. Mar- 
 tin and Reverend Mr. Woolfolk, and many others, who do not desiro 
 me to mention their names. 
 
 With such compatriots and such fellow-soldiers, I might, willingly, 
 at any time, meet the foe. 
 
 I have the honor to be 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 MILTON A. HAYNES, 
 Lt. Col. P. A. C. S., commanding artillery. 
 
ENGAGEMENT 
 
 AT 
 
 LIMESTONE CREEK. 
 
 REFORT OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL M. A. HAYNE3. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ArTII LEP.7 . } 
 
 Fourth District, Department of East Tenne.;_:?f, \ 
 Jonesboro', September 12, 1864 ) 
 
 Captain W. B. Ref.?e, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General i 
 
 Sir : In obedience to the orders of the Brigadier General command- 
 ing, I have the honor to enclose to you, the reports of Lieutenants 
 Blackwell and Graham, of Burroughs battery, in regard to the en- 
 gagement with the Federal force, commanded by Colonel Hayes, of 
 the one hundredth Ohio regiment, on the 8th instant. 
 
 These officers have detailed the incidents of the 8th so well that. I 
 have but little to add. 
 
 On the 6th, as you know, our whole force was at Bristol, on which 
 day we marched to Jonesboro', arriving there on the morning of the 
 vth. The enemy had already been in Jonesboro'; taken away many 
 citizens prisoners and carried them off, and having possession of the 
 trains south of Jonesboro', they told their Union friends (as reported 
 to us) that they would be back on the 8th. Many citizens had been 
 despoiled by the e.ncmy, and my forces were anxious to avenge their 
 wrongs. 
 
 At two o'clock, on the morning of the 8th, General Jackson sent 
 me an order requiring me to send immediately forward one piece ot 
 artillery. I sent a six-pounder with sixty rounds, and went inyseli 
 to see them off; but at the General's headquarters I was met by one 
 of his officials who told me I was ordered to remain in charge. I 
 returned to my quarters, and early in the morning, I heard the sound 
 of artillery and then of small arms. An order soon came requiring 
 
68 
 
 'two companies of infantry, which were sent. About eight o'clock in 
 the morning, a messenger came from General Jackson, saying " send 
 me all your artillery and all the infantry except one company." My 
 artillery was already harnessed and every man at his post, and, at the 
 word, they were on the march, and Lieutenant Colonel Walker's bat- 
 talion North Carolina volunteers, three hundred strong, followed. 
 
 Arriving at Tilford's station, where we had the battle of the morn- 
 ing, we saw our wounded, and heard that the enemy were in retreat, 
 and that General Jackson was in pursuit. Not knowing in what 
 direction friends or foes had gone, we pursued in a gallop, and at 
 about nine o'clock, we heard the discharge of artillery at Limestone 
 bridge. 
 
 Pursuing our course as rapidly as possible, we soon came to the 
 scene of action, and placed our pieces in battery. At that moment 
 Colonel Giltner, of the Kentucky cavalry, with his men dismounted, 
 was engaged with the enmy on the opposite side of Limestone creek, 
 cutting off the communication of the enemy, by railroad, south. Soon 
 sfter, Colonel Walker came up with his men, who had marched at 
 double-quick time twelve miles. At my suggestion, they were ordered to 
 lie down and rest for thirty minutes, and during that time the enemy's 
 sharpshooters were firing upon our battery, and we were amusing them 
 by a few discharges of spherical case shot. 
 
 As soon as Colonel Walker's men had rested they deployed as 
 skirmishers to the left, to clear the woods, and Major McCanny's bat- 
 talion on the right to sustain the battery. At that moment the enemy 
 had possesion of a skirt of woods in front of the blockhouse and stone 
 and brick buildings, occupied by them as barracks, distant about one 
 thousand yards from our position. 
 
 The infantry advancing, as arranged, charged the enemy's skir- 
 mishers, the battery covering them by throwing case and canister into 
 the woods occupied by them. 
 
 With a shout and a hurrah for the " Bonnie Blue Flag" the North 
 Carolina boys made the charge and the enemy fled before them, as 
 you and the General well know. 
 
 The enemy being now within the blockhouse and other houses, were 
 pouring upon us a shower of minnie balls. 
 
 When we had thus driven the enemy into their last retreat, (Colo- 
 nel Giltner with his gallant Kentuckians accompanying to the other 
 side of the creek,) 1 brought the guns of Burrough's battery, then 
 ^jnder Blackwell, into position and opened fire upon them with spherical 
 case and canister shot, Colonel Giltner's small rifle guns joining in 
 the action. The enemy in the meantime kept up on us a very sharp 
 fire of small arms (enfield,) and then (as Sterne says) a white flag 
 appeared. 
 
 By order of General Jackson, I went down, accompanied by Cap- 
 tain Robert B. Haynes, aid-de-camp, and accepted the side arms of 
 near three hundred and fifty Yankee officers and soldiers, the remnant 
 of four hundred and fifty, who began the fight in the morning. 
 -Among tke men who, by their gallantry, contributed to the result, 
 
69 
 
 were Lieutenant Colonel James Bottles and Captain Jenkins, both vol- 
 unteers for the occasion, but men whose bravery could not be exceeded. 
 Our troops, of all arms, behaved with courage, and all within their 
 sphere contributed to the general and honorable result, among whom 
 I ought not to leave out, and do not leave out, the names of the gallant 
 Lieutenant Colonel Wynne, of Georgia, Colonel Giltner, of Ken- 
 tucky, and among whom, and over all of us, was the gallant command- 
 ing General. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 MILTON A. IIAYNES, 
 Lieutenant Colonel, P. A. C. S., covunanding Artillery. 
 
ENGAGEMENT AT CARTERS STATION, 
 
 REPORI OF LIEUTENAT COLONEL M. A. I1AYXE3. 
 
 HEADQl ARTERS DEPARTMENT Ea-T TeKNESSEE, ) 
 
 ZoUicafir, Sept. 22, 1S63. ) 
 Major Stanton, A. A. General : 
 
 Sir : In regard to the engagement of yesterday and the day be- 
 fore, on the banks of the Wautauga river, at Carters station, I have 
 this to report to you, to be submitted to the commanding General : 
 
 On the morning of the 1.9th (General Jackson being in commands 
 I posted my batteries on the right and left of the depot, upon the 
 heights, and soon afterwards the enemy in front attacked the cavalry 
 under General Crittenden, and for three hours a sharp skirmish was 
 kept up between our forces and the enemy. During this time the 
 enemy pushed forward a battery of three-inch rilled guns (Parrott) 
 and opened upon our batteries; but, by the direction of myself and 
 Colonel King, our batteries never returned their fire 
 
 During this time I rode forward to the scene of the engagement 
 and requested General Crittenden to allow me to bring my guns into 
 the action, but he told me at that moment they would be of no use. 
 Soon after a train arrived from Zollicofter, bearing General John B. 
 Williams and his brigade, of which was the forty-fifth Virginia, com- 
 manded by Colonel Brown. 
 
 I immediately went with General Williams to examine the position 
 of our forces, and, by his orders, during that night, I constructed a 
 foot bridge on trestles across the Wautauga river, a half a mile above 
 the railroad bridge in order to effect a communication with our forces 
 who were stationed on the opposite side of the river. In the con- 
 struction of this bridge I was aided by Colonel Johnson, of Ar- 
 kansas, and the Hon. Joseph B. Heiskell, member of Congress from ' 
 Tennessee, both of whom were volunteers for the occasion, and at nine 
 o'clock that night the bridge was completed. 
 
 At three in the morning of the 20th, the enemy, having advanced 
 a battery of rifled pieces, opened a spirited fire upon the depot, where 
 there were three trains loaded with quartermasters and commissary's 
 
stores, to be sent to Zollicoffer ; but, by order of General Williams, 
 neither our batteries or infantry returned the fire of the enemy. In 
 the morning our cavalry, dismounted, under General Crittenden, ad- 
 vanced upon the enemy, and for some two or three hours skirmished 
 with with them. During this time, two regiments of the enemy leaving 
 passed, with banners flying and drums beating, under the shelter of 
 a hill, deployed in front of McClung's battery, which was on the south 
 side of the river at about five thousand yards distant, evidently with 
 the intention of storming it ; and Captain McClung (although com- 
 manded not to fire without my order,) opened upon them with spherical 
 case, and, after about forty rounds, no enemy was to be seen but the 
 dead. 
 
 In the afternoon the enemy suddenly displayed a battery of artil- 
 lery in a point of woods near our position, and then General Williams 
 said, " turn your guns loose," and under the direction of Lieutenant 
 Colonel King, Lowry's battery of Napoleon guns, and Burrough's 
 battery of rifled guns, opened on the enemy's battery, and in about 
 twenty minutes the enemy was no longer to be seen. After dark 
 General Williams ordered me to take three companies of infantry 
 across the river, deploy them as skirmishers, and bring on an action 
 at the setting of the moon. Lieutenant Colonel King, of the artillery 
 was to take charge of Colonel Brown's regiment, which was to support 
 me, by a movement on the right. In obedience to these orders I de- 
 ployed three companies as skirmishers at eight paces, covering the 
 entire front of the enemy's pickets, and within two hundred yards 
 of 'them, with orders to open upon the enemy when the moon set, and 
 it was already in the trees when an order came to me by assistant ad- 
 jutant general Reese, requiring me to withdraw my forces and 
 McClung's battery, and burn the bridge, which order was given to 
 me in the name of Major General Sam Jones, communicated from 
 ZollicofFer by telegraph. This order was obeyed, except I had to 
 abandon the carriages of McClung's battery, bringing off the metal 
 only, and the three companies posted on the hill to the left of 
 McClung's battery, effected their escape by crossing on the trestle 
 bridge, which had been built the night before by order of General 
 Williams. And that night at four o'clock I started with all my guns 
 to Zollicoffer, where gl reported to Major General Sam Jones for 
 duty at nine o'clock in the morning. 
 I have the honor to be, 
 
 Very respectfully, vour obedient servant, 
 
 MILTON A. HAYNES, 
 Lieutenant Colonel, P. A. C. S. y commanding Artillery. 
 
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