, 1863-12-10
THE BATTLE OF CILATTA.
N0OGAs
Official Report Of Col. Chandler Of the
S8th Illinois.

CuATTAsooaA, Tenn, Nov. 9Th, 1861 +
GENERAL: have the honor to make the
following report of the part taken By this
regiment In the late engagement with the
The regiment, on tho 23d inst, was on
picket ii front of Fort Negley, when the
movement Of the army was begun: We were
relieved On the morning Of the 9th, and Or
dered to join our brigade. which had moved
on tic 25th, under tho direction Of Col
hind the brcastwork on the picket line to the
left Of the road leading ont from the left Of
Fort Ncgloy. At 9 o'clock in the afternoon,
the regiment with the brigades, advanced to
ne 9se ct e On be1 ei t haa %as ofaa ha a
The regiment occupied tho right Of tho sec-
ond line, and at o'clock, under tho imme-
diatc direction Of Col. Miller, who had the
direction Of the second line, advanced to the
assault OF tho enemy's works on Missionary
Ridge. We advanced on quick lime until we
took the "doublc qpicls'' across the plain, a
distance Of. half q mile to the first line Of
works, the enemy firing into our ranks from
the first line, and pouring grape and canister
from the batteries on thu crest Of the RIDGE.
Here, under the little shelter afforded by this
haustion. We remained here only few mo-
mcnts, and advanced to the second line,
driving the enemy in confusion before us.
The men were now so completely exhausted,
and there was kept up such q CALLING fire
from the enemy, that further advance SEEM
ed out Of question. A few moments Of rest,
however, and they followed the colors which
were ordered forward. The advance, which
was slow, but sure, having to contend not
only with the direct fire, but m enflading
fire from the right. When near the upper
works Of tho enemy We halted, waiting io5
draw from US the fire, which yyns entilading
our line Of advance. This fire not in any
way diminishing, ordered the colors forward
on the works, which moment after were
carried, and the ststars and stripes y waved
triumphantly on Missionary Ridge, the one-
The distance from where the charge was be-
gun to the top Of the ridge was at least one and
half miles across wide open plain and up q
long steep hill, protected by three lines Of
rifle pits, one at the foot, the second about
half way up, and the third on the crest Of the
ridge, with artillery ut tho top. The time
occupied was about one and half hours.
The regiment rested on the ridge until about
ono o'clock the next morning when, with
the brigade, wo moved to the front mile
and half, and halted until about ten O'Clock,
when we moved forward to Chickamauga
Creek. In the afternoon We returned to
camp.
desire TO make honorable mention Of the
officers Of this regiment, ali Of whom did
their duty most ga1lantly, Capt. George W.
Smith, of Company A, acting field otiicer,
Was conspicuous for his bravery while urging
on the almost exhausted men, until about
two-thirds Of the way up the hill, he fell
severely wounded. First Lieutenant Dean r.
Chester, commanding Company G, was shot
through the leg while crossing the plain, but
gallant1y led his company to the second line
Of works.
Second Lieutenant HenryL Bingham, com
| reached the second line, but proved himself
| entirely worthy the straps he had 60 recently
mounted. First Lieutenant Edward E.
Tucker, commanding Company D, was con.
| spicuous for his during, In moving among the
men, urging them forward. Sergeant Richard
ReaH was everywhere, urging on those who
fell behind of other regiments, as well %
| those of our own.. It affords me great
satisfaction to mention our brave color
bearer, Sergeant John Chceycr, who gal.
gallantly carried, our banner, planting 1t
always In the advance for the regiment to
rally on, neyer lstting it trail in the dust,
but waving it cncouragingly to those be-
hind, and detiantly TO the enemy. before him,
top Of Missionary Ridge. It Is difficult to
select any one from the ranks and give him
special mention where all behaved so well
but must mention Corp. Thomas Lacy, oil
Co. E, and private William Isbester, Of Co
C, who seemed to vie with the colors for the
advance. Accompanying this report send
list Of the casualties Of the regiment.
lam General, very respectfully,
g. ". CHASDLER, i.
Lieut. Col Com'd'g
l Adfufanf Hn,1arn1 Gp+inrAafi