Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-31

Fourth Battalion, LieutenRntColonell
James Pickands, 124th o. V. commanding,
of the l24th Ohio, Msjor ]. B. Hsmpson,
and 9th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Ma
jor C. D. Campbell.
Fifth Battalion, 9Th Ohio, Lieutenant
Colonel A. C. Christopher, commanding, in
all twenty-five hundred and ifty-slx ef-
fective officers and men.
The first and third bsttslions were de-
ployed in the front line, and the fourth
rnd fifth were formed in double column in
the second line. The second battalion was
on picket, and in position to be used as
| skirmishers. The entire battalion was de-
ployed as such, and at the sound Of the
| bugle at two o'clock P. NJ, the entire brig
| ade moved forward in exact order, and in
/ two minutes the skirmish line was sharply
engaged with that of the enemy, which
gave ground after firing their pieces, and
no considerable opposition was felt after,
until we reached their first line Of rife
pits, about one-half mile to the rear OF
their picket line, where their pickets and
reserve endeavored to check our advance,
but pushing the first battalion, that being
Immediately in front Of their principal
force, the work situated on rocky hill,
was carried in the most handsome manner,
capturing nearly the entire regiment hold
ing il, the 28th Alabama Infantry, with
their colors. 1t was not accomplished,
however, without serious cost to the 4lst
and 93d Ohio regiments. Major Birch,
leading the latter, fell here also eleven
of his men killed and forty-eight wounded.
The 4lst Ohio lost eleven men killed and
ffty-two wounded.
nj no1annl
Kimberley, Of the same regiment, each had
horses killed under them, and Colonel
Berry commanding the skirmisheTs, was
twice struck.
This position was actually carried at the
point Of the bsyonet, the enemy being cap
tured behind their works by the men leap
ing over it. During the last half mile Of
their advance, my right was entirely ex-
posed, add suffered severely from an emil
iading fire Of the eaemy. The night Of the
23d was employed in Strengthening our
position by works, and the Path was passed
without engaging the enemy.
At about eleven O'Clock on the 18th, !
was ordered to advance my skirmish line
sufficiently to develop the enemy's strength
behind his main line Of bresstworks at the
foot Of Mission Ridge, and about one-hslf
mile in our front. This was handsomely
done under the immediate command of
Lieutenant Colonel Christopher, 9th Ohio.
In this advance Major s. C. Erwine, 9th
Ohio, was killed by shell, and eight or ten
others killed and wounded.
At about three O'olock P N this day re.
ceived orders TO move forward with the
remainder of the Division and take pos
session of the enemy's works at the foot
of Mission Ridge, taking cover behind
them, and there to await further orders.
The I24th Ohio was on picket and used
as administers. The other formations of
bsttslions were similar to that on the 23d
instant, the 9th Kentucky reporting to
Colonel Christopher and acting with the
5th battalion, and the 9th Indiana Volun-
teers acting with the I'd. Both lines were
deployed, the Third and Fifth Battslions
forming the first, and the First and Second
the second line.
4 At the signal, the Brigade moved for
ward, and simultaneously fire from at
least fifty pieces of artillery from the crest
of Mission Ridge was poured upon US.
We moved in good order at rapid step
uuder the appalling fire to the enemy
works, which were situated about three
hundred yards below aud towards Chstta-
nooga from the crest OF the Ridge, the enc
my fleeing from their works at our ap-
proach.
The command on reaching the enemy'E
works at the foot of the hill covered itself
as ordered, on the reverse side Of them, a.
best it could, but very imperfectly, being
so near and SO much below the crest Of thC
ridge.
The musketry FIRE from the crest was
now telling severely upon us, and the
crest presenting its eoncavity towards US
we were completely enhladed by artillery
from both fsnks.
The position was a singular one, and
/ can only be well understood by those who
occupied it. The command had executed
its orders, and to remain there till new
ones could be sent would be destruction
to fall back would not only be SO, but en-
, tail disgrace On commencing the sd
: vance the thought Of storming Missior
Ridge had not entered the mind Of any
one, but now the necessity was apparent
to every soldier Of the command. Giving
, the men about five minutes to, breathe, anC
, receiving no order, gave the word 'fOr
ward" which was eagerly obeyed.
The forces of General Which on my
: left had commenced the movement some
= what in my advance, and those Of Major
General Sheridan on my right we're con
siderable distance in my rear. There wal
in my front the troops of General Breckin
ridge forming the left Of the enemy's cen
|, ter.
Not much regard to lines could be oh
, served, but the strong men, commander
! I and color bearers, took the lead in eacl
case, forming the apex Of g triangula'
column Of men. These advanced slowly
but confidently, no amount of fire from
4 the crest checking them.
! Lieutenant. Colonel Lsngdon, Of the Is
{ Ohio, gaining position where the con
formation Of the hill gave cover to within
three yards OF the crest, formed severa
hundred men there checking their hes'
: for that purpose, then giving the commsn,
the column broke over the crest, the enc
my fleeing.
These were the first men Of the entir
army on the hill, and my command NOV
ing up with shout their entire front ws
; handsomely carried.
, The troops on my immediate left wer
3 stil held in check, and those on my righ
J. not more than half way up the hill, an
s we're being successfully held bsck-has
: tening my men to the right and left slon
l. the crest was enabled to take the enem,
: in flank and reverse, and by vigorousl,
+. using the artillery captured there, sooi
: relieved my neighbOrs and carried tn
crest within q few hundred yards 0
Braggs headquarters, he himself esespinI
= by flight, being at one time near my righ
= encouraging the troops that had checke,
= ckar;dorJo Iaff