[
464]
a most desperate struggle for the possession of this ground-
Missionary Ridge.
The battle raged furiously, and the tide of success wavered in the balances; charge after charge was repulsed, only to rally and charge again.
Again our line fell back, and the untiring, indomitable and determined officers rallied again their fast thinning ranks, and again moved forward.
Here officers and men behaved most gallantly; appeals to love of home and wounded comrades, and the peril of the moment, were made, and never did men rush forward more eager, daring, desperate and defiantly.
The enemy's treble lines now began to show that our fire was terribly effective upon them.
Our cartridge-boxes had been replenished as required, and still we were nearly out. Again more ammunition was supplied, and the conflict continued hot and heavy.
The enemy was now slowly giving back, hard pressed by our now shattered remnants.
Another charge, with the yells of the men and cheers of the officers, and forward we pressed, only to discover the victory was ours, and the enemy in full retreat.
This series of engagements lasted four long hours, during which
Johnson's brigade won many laurels and an imperishable name.
At this moment, another brigade came up, and was loudly cheered forward, but the enemy made no resistance.
Our ammunition being (with but few exceptions) exhausted, the brigade halted and re-formed, moved forward, about-faced, marched back some distance and formed on
Manigault's line.
Here we sent forward pickets to cover our front, and several prisoners were brought in. The men rested on their arms during the night, having on this day won a victory--one of the most glorious of the war. In this engagement
Everett's battery fired very effectively, being in the thickest of the fight.
This evening he had one sergeant and two men wounded, and five horses shot down by the enemy during the engagement.
This morning, whilst firing on the enemy's wagon train, he dismounted one piece of the enemy's artillery.
He fired four hundred and twenty-eight rounds during the four days fight.
I commend the officers of this battery to favorable consideration for their fidelity and good conduct whilst under fire.
I have also to notice the services of
Lieutenant Dent, commanding
Robinson's battery, whose fire upon the enemy was incessant and effective.
Both officers and men behaved most coolly and gallantly during the day.
I have great pleasure in attesting to the gallant and efficient conduct of the following officers:
Lieutenant-Colonel McEwen, Jr., commanding the Forty-fourth Tennessee regiment, wounded.
Lieutenant-Colonel Snowden, commanding the Twenty-fifth Tennessee regiment.
Colonel Keeble, commanding Twenty-third Tennessee regiment.
Lieutenant-Colonel Ready, of Twenty-third Tennessee regiment, wounded.
Major Lowe,-------
Tennessee regiment, wounded.
Lieutenant-Colonel Floyd, commanding Seventeenth Tennessee regiment.
Major Davis, of Seventeenth Tennessee regiment, wounded and captured.
Adjutants Cross,
Gwynn, and
Fitzpatrick, and
Lieutenant Gregg, who came into action on Sunday morning. Also,
Captain Terry, who after he was wounded on Saturday evening, rendered me valuable service on Sunday.
Mention may also be made of the following:
Private (
Ex-Captain)
Ridley, of the Twenty-Third Tennessee, who went into the action and fought manfully with a gun, setting a good example to all.
Lieutenant Vernon, of Company B, Twenty-third Tennessee, for the manner in which he bore himself.
On entering the action this command numbered as follows, viz.:
| commands. | officers. | men. | aggregate. |
| Forty fourth Tennessee | 28 | 266 | 294 | |
| Twenty-fifth Tennessee | 25 | 120 | 145 | |
| Twenty-third Tennessee | 28 | 153 | 181 | |
| Seventeenth Tennessee | 27 | 222 | 249 | |
| Battery | -- | -- | 85 | --954 |
The number of the different regiments of this command was thus small, the barefooted men having been sent to the rear by order from the division commander, as follows:
Forty-fourth Tennessee, fifty-six men; Twenty-fifth Tennessee, twenty-three men; Twenty-third Tennessee, twenty-six men; Seventeenth Tennessee, one hundred and twenty men and two officers.
Aggregate, two hundred and twenty-seven.
My loss was as follows:
| command. | killed. | wounded. | captured and missing. |
| Forty-fourth Tennessee | 10 | 88 | 15 |
| Seventeenth Tennessee | | 61 | 69 |
| Twenty-third Tennessee | 8 | 77 | 13 |
| Twenty-fifth Tennessee | 10 | 45 | 1 |
| Battery | | 3 | |
| Total | 28 | 274 | 98 |
|
| | | |
I have much pleasure in stating that there was no straggling, either by officers or men. I have also great satisfaction in noticing the medical appointments of this brigade, for promptness and efficiency.
The care and treatment of the wounded by
Dr. Jackson, of the Forty-fourth Tennessee, acting Brigade
Surgeon;
Dr. Plummer, of the Twenty-third Tennessee;
Dr. Harris and Dr..
Jones, of the Seventeenth Tennessee; and
Drs.
Fryar and
Jackson, of the Twenty-fifth Tennessee.
Also, I return my thanks to
Dr. John Gannaway, who volunteered his services and rendered himself useful in a
