CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the
One hundred and forty-ninth New York Volunteers during the movement commencing on the 24th
of November last and ending December 1, 1863:
The regiment left camp, 16 officers and 222 men strong, at 6.15, a.m. on the morning of
the 24th instant, marching forth in line with the brigade, the men carrying one day's
rations, their blankets, and 60 rounds of ammunition.
We crossed Lookout Creek at 9.20 a.m. and formed line of battle up the side of Lookout
Mountain as far as was practicable, facing northerly, this regiment occupying the extreme
left of the first line. The horses were left on the other side of the creek, the nature of
the ground rendering it impossible to use them. We then advanced in line, sweeping the
side of the mountain.
Our skirmishers engaged those of the enemy about 1 ½ miles from the point of crossing
the creek. We very soon after came up with the main body of the enemy, who occupied a
strong position behind rocks and other natural defenses. Our whole line at once engaged
the enemy without halting, and drove him steadily before us for about 1 mile, when the
whole line of the brigade advanced in a furious charge, the colors of each regiment
leading. The enemy were unable to withstand the advance and gave way in great disorder,
losing at every step great numbers in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The charge was
continued for a long distance through the enemy's camp, he halting and attempting to
reform the line at every available point, but unable to stay the onward movement of our
victorious column. Colonel Barnum, who had been previously unfit for duty, and was still
scarcely able to march with the regiment from the effects of wounds yet unhealed, feeling
unwilling that the regiment should go out to battle leaving him behind, had accompanied us
and been in command of the regiment up to this time. While struggling forward greatly
exhausted, a great portion of the time in front of the line inciting the men to greater
action by words and example, he received a musket ball through the right fore-arm,
inflicting a severe wound, which, with his previous exhaustion and fatigue, totally
disabled him from proceeding farther.
The regiment, however, pressed steadily forward until we came to the clearing
around the mountain, when the men, becoming wrought up to the highest pitch of enthusiasm,
rushed furiously forward, swept like a whirlwind around the point of the mountain far down
the slope on the opposite side, and Lookout was won. Large numbers of prisoners and three
battle-flags were captured by the regiment in this last charge, from mere inability to get
out of our way. The prisoners were passed through the lines to the reserve following
behind us. What number was taken by the regiment it is impossible to state. Suffice it to
say, that it largely exceeded the number of men in the regiment. We passed to the rear in
one squad some 40 or 50, including 5 commissioned officers, one of whom was said to be a
colonel. While the regiment was advancing over the works and rifle-pits through the
cleared space before the white house, I discovered that a portion of the regiment,
consisting of the left three companies, did not continue with the rest of the line. The
main portion of the regiment continued the advance under command of Captain Hopkins,
acting field officer, to a point some 400 or 500 yards beyond the line, of the house on
the farther slope of the mountain. At this time the distance to be occupied by our line
had become very much extended, and there was a large gap at the right of the line of our
regiment.
At this point we were received with more stubborn resistance than at any previous time,
but the fragment of the regiment held its ground firmly and drove the enemy beyond the end
of their rifle-pits down the slope. At this time it was impossible to distinguish clearly
the movements of the enemy or of our own troops on account of the fog and rocks, but they
appeared to be forming for the purpose of moving around and turning our left. Captain
Hopkins applied to some officers of the reserve who had just come up to move to his
assistance, but instead of doing so they immediately fell back to a line of rifle-pits,
some 150 yards in our rear, when Captain Hopkins, finding himself unsupported, connecting
with no one on his right or left, and apparently in advance of the general line, also fell
back to the same point. After remaining a short time in that position, and finding that no
advance was made by the enemy, he again advanced, moving more to the left, to the crest
overlooking the slope of the mountain toward Chattanooga, and occupied a stone wall facing
in that direction.
In the meantime, while these latter movements were being made, I went in search of the
missing companies of the regiment, and found that they had been stopped by order of
General Whitaker, commanding the reserve, and formed on the right of a line of two
battalions of his command, and all busy throwing up a breastwork of rails and such other
materials as were at hand.
I immediately sought an explanation from General Whitaker, and was informed by him that
the enemy were striving to turn our left flank, and that that point would be the
battle-ground. I then again went forward some 300 or 400 yards to the line occupied by my
regiment, and seeing no indications of any flank movement, I returned and moved these
companies forward, together with a number of men of the One hundred and second New York
Volunteers, under command of Captain Stegman, who, having become separated from his
command in retiring from the line of skirmishers, had reported to me and joined the
balance of my command. We held that position with no considerable opposition from the
enemy until we were relieved by a regiment of the First Brigade, Second Division, of the
Twelfth Army Corps, about 3 p.m., when we retired and joined the brigade at the position
indicated.
The conduct of both officers and men cannot be spoken of in terms of too high
commendation. They vied with each other in being foremost in the charge upon the enemy.
Numerous instances occurred of men and officers almost completely exhausted by the rapid
pace of the charge over almost insurmountable obstacles, nobly struggling not to be left
behind; officers and men seriously wounded refused to leave the field till our work was
done. Our losses sustained and the trophies won sufficiently attest the arduous nature of
our duties and the success with which they were performed.
Our loss in the assault upon Lookout Mountain was 7 men killed and 7 officers and 45
men wounded, a list of which has been heretofore forwarded, and to which I beg leave to
refer as forming part of this report.
The regiment marched with the brigade, being third in line, at 11.40 a.m. the 25th
ultimo, taking the direction of Rossville Gap, making several long halts. Being within
sound of heavy fighting beyond the ridge and of the musketry at the gap, about 4 p.m. the
command turned to the left and passed rapidly along the base of the ridge, the division
marching in column of regiments. As the column came in sight of the top of the ridge the
enemy turned and fled in hot haste. We followed as rapidly as possible for 2 or 3 miles,
but were unable to come up with them. The march of the division at this time presented one
of the finest, most magnificent sights ever witnessed. Both officers and men had become so
excited by the sound of the firing and the sight of the fleeing rebels that it was with
great difficulty they were restrained sufficiently to preserve their ranks or the distance
between regiments, so eager were they to press forward. As the column halted, loud and
long huzzas ascended again and again, and were answered by those of our victorious troops
upon the summit of the ridge. The troops bivouacked soon after dusk, using the huts that
day left by the enemy.
The regiment marched at 10.50 a.m. the 26th ultimo, moving second in line with the
brigade. At 10 p.m. bivouacked in a field near Pea Vine Creek. We marched from Pea Vine
Creek at 7 a.m. the 27th ultimo, my regiment being first in the line of the brigade, and
arrived at Ringgold about 9 a.m. We marched through the town and were halted near the
railroad depot, which was at the base of Taylor's Ridge. The battle was then already
progressing. We remained sheltered by the depot for something over an hour, when I
received directions from the colonel commanding brigade to move out my command and take
the direction to be pointed out to me by Captain Nolan, of brigade staff, to hold the
position I should take, not to fire unless advanced upon, and then no more than was
necessary. I immediately moved forward by the flank along the said road, the remainder of
the brigade following us. Following the direction taken by Captain Nolan, who had galloped
ahead across an open field between the said road, which here turned to the left, and
Chickamauga Creek, as we came upon a little rise of ground at the beginning of the field
which we were to cross, a few of our troops were seen to be retiring rapidly and in
disorder from the very position which we were about to take.
I immediately gave the command "double-quick." The command was obeyed with
alacrity, and the pace was soon increased to a run. The regiment moved by the right flank
across this open field of some 500 or 600 yards in extent, which was completely swept by
the artillery and musketry of the enemy at easy range, with its ranks well closed and its
line well preserved, from the rapidity of our movements losing comparatively few. Upon
arriving at the banks of the creek at the mouth of the gap in Taylor's Ridge, the right
wing of the regiment was posted along the banks of the creek and the left wing in and
around an old barn at right angles with the right wing. We found that the hills on both
sides of the gap were occupied by the sharpshooters of the enemy in considerable force,
who had a complete cross-fire on our position. Finding that it would be impossible to
maintain our position unless they were driven back, I gave directions for the men to
shelter themselves by every available means, and for a few in each wing to keep up a rapid
and careful fire whenever an enemy could be seen. We were thus enabled to retain our
position, but with some loss. Soon after our arrival there the enemy moved forward to the
edge of the wood and bushes in the mouth of the gap a brass field piece, and threw from a
distance of about 100 yards four charges of grape through and through the barn in which we
were posted, scattering pieces of board, splinters, and chips in every direction, but
fortunately injuring no one, as their aim was a few feet too high. I immediately, upon the
appearance of the artillery, stationed about a dozen men to watch it and prevent it being
used. They were so successful that only the four shots were fired, and the gun remained in
that position nearly half an hour unworked. Several times men came to move it away, but
were each time driven back. They finally, by the use of a prolonge, succeeded in
withdrawing it to the other side of the railroad. As soon as the firing of the enemy
ceased, which was at about 12.30 p.m., several men of the right wing, who were farthest
advanced up the bank of the creek, rushed in pursuit of the retiring enemy in hopes of
capturing the gun, but were not successful. They succeeded, however, in capturing a guidon
of the battery and a Confederate States of America national flag--the Stars and Bars. Our
loss was 3 men killed and 1 officer and 11 men wounded, the list of which has been
heretofore forwarded.
The conduct of officers and men as on the previous occasion was all that could be
desired.
We remained in position for about one hour after the firing ceased, when the brigade
was withdrawn and bivouacked in the edge of the town.
Captain Seymour was detailed as provost-marshal; the regiment also furnished details
for moving the wounded and for provost duty. About noon of the 28th ultimo, by order of
colonel commanding brigade, I removed the regiment and quartered it in a large building in
the village. In the afternoon of the same day the regiment was sent on picket duty and
stationed on the ridge south of the creek and gap, from which they were relieved at 2 p.m.
the 29th ultimo. The regiment remained quietly at its quarters in the village until 2.30
a.m., December 1, when we took up line of march for our former camp, where we arrived
about 3 p.m. Some items or incidents may have been omitted in this account of operations
so numerous and extended, but as all our movements were under the immediate eye and
direction of the colonel commanding brigade, his own recollection will doubtless enable
him to supply the deficiency.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. B. RANDALL,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.
