Chapter 65

CHAPTER LXV

We moved down to the river about three miles and relieved a regiment which formerly belonged to the 14^th Corps.  We were placed in position on a knoll, a little below the mouth of Wauhatchie creek, near Williams’ Ferry.

From this place we had a fine, view of the Union position.  As far as the eye could reach we could trace by the curling smoke as it ascended, the camps of the brave defenders of a nations honor.  To our right and front abruptly rose Lookout Mountain, at whose base, and within easy gun shot from us paced the rebel pickets.  We could plainly hear the beating of drums and the shrill blasts of the bugle in the rebel         camp.  When night threw tier sable curtains around, we could easily distinguish groups of the Johnnies at they gathered around the camp-fires to discuss the events of the day and the probabilities of the morrow.

Morning dawned upon us and we found that evidently something was “going to be did.”  Aids and orderlies were busily engaged in galloping to anal fro in every direction, and we soon discovered that the rebels were equally restive and that in all proba­bility a general engagement would soon take place.

During the day camp was filled with all manner of rumors, the principle topic being that General Hooker had volunteered to capture lookout Mountain.

The day finally closed without an aggressive move on our part, and we had just about made up our minds that there had been more smoke than fire, when we were visited by Captain Davis and Orderly Stuck, who notified us that we would move at daylight, and at the same time giving us 20 extra rounds of cartridges, making 80 rounds to each man.  It is needless to add that our dreams were filled with bloodiest and most terrific contests and which were only ended by the order to “fall in.”

Tuesday, November 24^th, 1863, will be long remembered by the surviving members of the company.  Having been hastily summoned from our beds on the ground, we were soon in line, and were promptly counter-marched and moved towards the rear.  Thro’ the morning mist we could discern large bodies of troops moving in the direction of Chattanooga, and then we began to realize the situation.  After moving back a half mile, the head of the column was turned to the left and we struck out boldly into the valley.  In passing one of our picket posts, we were accosted something as follows:

“Who’ll trade with me,  Company G, don’t go up that mountain without me.”

The person who was anxious to go up the mountain was Jacob K. Garman, and he did not have much trouble to trade places with another less pugnacious member of the company.

We moved about one mile down the base of the mountain, here we halted and unslung knapsacks, M. L. Parks was detailed to remain as a guard.

We crossed the creek at the mill, on a hastily constructed bridge placed on the breast of the dam, and then the Battle of Lookout Mountain was commenced.  Our Brigade was deployed in three lines, and then advanced on the rebel position.

The Union skirmishers opened up a rapid fire on the enemy, whilst several batteries at a given signal opened and they were completely taken by surprise.  All this time we were approaching upon a seemingly unconscious enemy.  Their position was deemed impregnable, and consequently looked upon the move as a feint designed to cover a more important move in the direction of Chattanooga.

Whilst the firing was momentarily becoming hotter, we were being as rapidly pushed ahead as the nature of the ground would allow.  We were compelled to climb over rocks, scramble over fallen trees and jump over gullies and chasms, with a reckless­ness that threatened to prove destructive to life and limb. Suddenly a full view of the rebel position burst upon our view, and with loud and exultant yells we hurried forward, and upon reaching their camps, we advanced on them on a run.  Halting for a moment, as if to take in the situation, a number threw down their arms and surrendered, whilst others retreated around to the southern base of the Mountain, which was defended by strong earth works and was held by a Brigade of Mississippi riflemen.

Our gallant charge had been witnessed by the troops in the valley, and no sooner was it accomplished than a volunteer cheer broke forth from the throats of thousands of Western men, for General Hooker and his brave soldiers from the Army of the Potomac.  The cheer reached us and was answered equally as hearty.

Knap’s Battery opened fire upon the rebel position, and the shells went crashing over our heads and plunged into the rebel works.  The masked batteries on Moccasin Point joined in with Knap and soon the iron missiles were being showered into the rebels as thick as hail.  Soon the rebel batteries responded from above our heads.  The 2^nd and 3^rd Brigades of our Division advance on the strong line of works on the south side of the mountain, when a thousand rifles added their clatter to the almost indescribable din and confusion. While awaiting the results of the advance of our troops, we were startled by the rebel yell sounding loud above the din of the conflict.  The rebels intent upon regaining their lost ground, charge madly upon the two advancing brigades.  Our men are fighting manfully but they are forced to give way, already the wounded and stragglers are rushing back on us.  The crisis is approaching.  Col. Candy our Brigade commander has been carried from the field.  “Send me help, for God’s sake” is the word from General Green to General Geary.

The gallant commander of the 7^th Ohio, Colonel Creighton, who had assumed command of the Brigade, drew his sword, took his station at the head of his own regiment, commanded:

“Forward First Brigade.”

With a cheer the men obeyed the command and throwing them­selves into the breach the wavering line was steadied, the rebels were driven back beyond the White house and we captured a battery of 12 pound Napoleon guns.

In moving up in the charge we passed over the dead and dying blue and gray-coats, some of whom begged us most piteously not to tread on them, and when accidentally stepped upon, they would shriek out with pain.

At about three o’clock, p.m., the musketry grew severe, the smoke gathered on the mountain below us hiding the combatants from the view of those in the valley below, and from this fact the engagement has frequently been styled “The Battle Above the Clouds.”  Just when the firing was the severest our regiment was ordered to relieve one of the advance regiments and having been moved with our left in front, our officers deeming it prudent to place us properly in line, undertook to counter-march the regi­ment in the face of the enemy.  At the very moment that the regiment was half counter-marched the enemy opened on it with a full volley.  At this juncture the officers commanded us to “front,” as will be apparent to any one having any knowledge of military actions, this was an impossibility, owing to our doubled up conditions.  The men broke and jumped down an embank­ment.