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large portion of it. At the same time, the fire of the battery struck such terror into a heavy force close under it, that we took there also a large number of prisoners.
Preston's assault, though not a complete success at the onset, taken in connection with the other operations, crippled the enemy so badly that his ranks were badly broken, and by a flank movement and another advance the heights were gained.
These reinforcements were the enemy's last or reserve corps, and a part also of the line that had been opposing our right wing during the morning.
The enemy broke up in great confusion along my front, and, about the same time, the right wing made a gallant dash and gained the line that had been held so long and obstinately against it. A simultaneous and continuous shout from the two wings announced our success complete.
The enemy had fought every man that he had, and every one had been in turn beaten.
As it was almost dark, I ordered my line to remain as it was; ammunition boxes to be refilled, stragglers to be collected, and everything in readiness for the pursuit in the morning.
Early on the twenty-first, the commanding General stopped at my bivouac and asked my views as to our future movements.
I suggested crossing the river above
Chattanooga, so as to make ourselves sufficiently felt on the enemy's rear, as to force his evacuation of
Chattanooga — indeed, force him back upon
Nashville, and, if we should find our transportation inadequate for a continuance of this movement, to follow up the railroad to
Knoxville, destroy
Burnside, and from there threaten the enemy's railroad communication in rear of
Nashville.
This I supposed to be the only practicable flank movement, owing to the scarcity of our transportation; and it seemed to keep us very nearly as close to the railroad as we were at the time.
At parting, I understood the
commanding General to agree that such was probably our best move, and that he was about to give the necessary orders for its execution.
Orders came in the afternoon for the march.
The rear of the right wing did not move until quite dark.
I did not, therefore, put my wing in motion till daylight the following morning.
Before moving on the morning of the twenty-second,
McLaws' division was ordered to follow the enemy on to
Chattanooga.
The remainder of the command marched for the
Red House Ford, and halted about noon.
During that night I received orders to march the entire command back to
Chattanooga, and moved in pursuance thereof early on the twenty-third.
We reached the
Watkins House about eleven o'clock A. M., and proceeded to take up a line around the enemy's position at
Chattanooga.
I desire to mention the following named officers as distinguished for conduct and ability, viz.:
Major-Generals Hood,
Buckner,
Hindman, and
Stewart;
Brigadier-Generals B. R. Johnson,
Preston,
Law (respectively in command of division),
Kershaw,
Patton,
Anderson,
Gracie,
McNair (severely wounded), and
Colonels Trigg and
Kelly, both in command of brigades.
Honorable mention should also be made of
Brigadier-Generals Humphreys,
Benning,
Deas,
Clayton,
Bate,
Brown,
Robertson, and
Manigault.
For more detailed accounts of the noble deeds performed by our gallant officers and brave soldiers, I refer you to the reports of my junior officers.
The steady, good conduct throughout the long conflict of the subordinate officers and men which the limits of this report will not permit me to particularize, is worthy of the highest praise and admiration.
I am greatly indebted to
Lieutenant-Colonel Sorrel,
Assistant Adjutant-General,
Lieutenant-Colonel Manning,
Chief of Ordnance,
Major Latrobe,
Assistant Adjutant and
Inspector-General, and
Captain Manning, Signal Corps, for their able, untiring, and gallant assistance.
Colonel Manning received a painful wound.
The movement of
Stewart's division against the enemy's reinforcements was made upon the suggestion of
Colonel Sorrel and
Captain Manning.
The result was the beginning of the general break throughout the enemy's line.
My other staff officers had not arrived from
Virginia.
Major Walton,
acting Chief of Subsistence Department, and
Major Keilly,
acting Chief of Quartermaster's Department, were at the railroad depot in the active discharge of the duties of their departments.
Among the captures made by the left wing during the day, were not less than forty pieces of artillery, over three thousand prisoners, and ten regimental standards; besides, a few wagons, seventeen boxes small arms, eleven hundred and thirty sets accoutrements.
and three hundred and ninety-three thousand rounds small arm ammunition, were collected on the field.
The accompanying list of casualties shows a loss by the command (without
McNair's brigade, from which no report has been received) of one thousand and eighty-nine killed, six thousand five hundred and six wounded, and two hundred and seventy-two missing. Its strength on going into action on the twentieth was two thousand and three officers and twenty thousand eight hundred and forty-nine men.
I have the honor to be,
Colonel,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
