Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 8.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[209] Carlin's brigade, which was to rejoin its division,) carry the pass at Rossville, and operate upon the enemy's left and rear. Palmer's and Granger's troops were held in readiness to advance directly on the rifle-pits in their front as soon as Hooker could get into position at Rossville. In retiring on the night of the twenty-fourth, the enemy had destroyed the bridges over Chattanooga Creek on the road leading from Lookout Mountain to Rossville, and in consequence General Hooker was delayed until after two o'clock P. M., in effecting the crossing of the creek.

About noon, General Sherman becoming heavily engaged by the enemy, they having massed a strong force in his front, orders were given for General Baird to march his division within supporting distance of General Sherman. Moving his command promptly in the direction indicated, he was placed in position to the left of Wood's division of Granger's corps. Owing to the difficulties of the ground, his troops did not get in line with Granger's until about half-past 2 P. M. Orders were then given him, however, to move forward on Granger's left, and within supporting distance, against the enemy's rifle-pits on the slope and at the foot of Missionary Ridge. The whole line then advanced against the breastworks, and soon became warmly engaged with the enemy's skirmishers; these, giving way, retired upon their reserves, posted within their works.

Our troops advancing steadily in a continuous line, the enemy, seized with panic, abandoned the works at the foot of the hill, and retreated precipitately to the crest, whither they were closely followed by our troops, who, apparently inspired by the impulse of, victory, carried the hill simultaneously at six different points, and so closely upon the heels of the enemy, that many of them were taken prisoners in the trenches. We captured all their cannon and ammunition, before they could be removed or destroyed. After halting a few moments to reorganize the troops, who had become somewhat scattered in the assault of the hill, General Sherman pushed forward in pursuit, and drove those in his front, who escaped capture, across Chickamauga Creek. Generals Wood and Baird, being obstinately resisted by reenforcements from the enemy's extreme right, continued fighting until darkness set in, slowly but steadily driving the enemy before them. In moving upon Rossville, General Hooker encountered Stuart's division and other troops; finding his left flank threatened, Stuart attempted to escape by retreating toward Greysville, but some of his force, finding their retreat threatened in that quarter, retired in disorder toward their right along the crest of the ridge, where they were met by another portion of General Hooker's command, and were driven by these troops in the face of Johnson's division of Palmer's corps, by whom they were nearly all made prisoners.

It will be seen by the above report that the original plan of operations was somewhat modified to meet and take the best advantage of emergencies, which necessitated material modification of that plan. It is believed, however, that the original plan, had it been carried out, could not possibly have led to more successful results. The alacrity displayed by officers in executing their orders, the enthusiasm and spirit displayed by the men who did the work, cannot be too highly appreciated by the nation, for the defence of which they have on so many other memorable occasions nobly and patriotically exposed their lives in battle.

Howard's corps, (Eleventh,) having joined Sherman on the twenty-fourth, his operations from that date will be included in Sherman's report, as will also those of Brigadier-General J. C. Davis's division of the Fourteenth corps, who reported for duty to General Sherman on the twenty-first.

General Granger's command returned to Chattanooga, with instructions to prepare and hold themselves in readiness for orders to reenforce General Burnside at Knoxville. On the twenty-sixth, the enemy were pursued by Hooker's and Palmer's commands, surprising a portion of their rear-guard near Greysville, after nightfall, capturing three pieces of artillery and several hundred prisoners. The pursuit was continued on the twenty-seventh, capturing an additional piece of artillery at Greysville. Hooker's advance encountered the enemy, posted in the pass through Taylor's Ridge, who, after an obstinate resistance of an hour, were driven from the pass with considerable loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners. Our loss was also heavy.

A large quantity of forage and some additional caissons and ammunition were captured at Ringgold. On the twenty-eighth, Colonel Long (Fourth Ohio cavalry) returned to Chattanooga, from his expedition, and reported verbally that on the twenty-fourth he reached Tyner's Station, destroying the enemy's forage and rations at that place, also some cars, and doing considerable injury to the railroad. He then proceeded to Doltawah, where he captured and destroyed some trains loaded with forage; thence he proceeded to Cleveland, remaining there one day, destroyed their copper-rolling mill and a large depot of commissary and ordnance stores.

Being informed that a train of the enemy's wagons was near Charleston, on the Hiawassee, and was probably unable to cross the river on account of the break in their pontoon-bridge, after a few hours' rest he pushed forward with a hope of being able to destroy them, but found, on reaching Charleston, that the enemy had repaired their bridge, and had crossed their trains safely, and were prepared to defend the crossing with one or two pieces of artillery, supported by an infantry force, on the north bank. Hie then returned to Cleveland, and damaged the railroad for five or six miles in the direction of Dalton, and then returned to Chattanooga.

On the twenty-eighth, General Hooker was ordered by General Grant to remain at Ringgold until the thirtieth, and so employ his troops as