The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-04-15
Interesting Report Of the Operations
Of the Eleventh and Twelfth
Army Corps Under Gen.
HOOker's Command.
What He Did at Lookout Noun
tain and Ringgold.
Curious but Important Endorsement
by Lieutenant General Grant.
Who Captured the Prisoners
and Guns?
&C.. &C.. DO

HEADQUARTERS ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH CORPS,
LOOKOUT VALLEY, Tenn, Feb. 4, 1854.
Brigadier General w. D. wmPplE A. A. G., Army OF the
Cumberland
GENERAL-I have the honor to submit the following
report Of the part taken by my command in the opera
tons OF the army which resulted in driving the rebel
from their position in the vicinity of Chattanooga
and Of its participation Immediately afterwards in their
pursuit.
PRELIMINARY MOVEMENTS.
In order that these operations may be distinctly under
Stood the troops concerned be known and receive
the Them is necessary TO premise by Stating
that the general attack was ordered TO be made on
tho enemy's extreme right at daylight on the 2lst
OF November, and that preparatory orders were sent
through the 18th for the Eleventh corps to cross
TO the north bank of the Tennessee river the Goth At
this time the Eleventh corps and part Of the Twelfth
corps encamped in Lookout valley, opposite 10 tho
left OF the enemys line. In consequence Of the nom
arrival OF the force mainly relied on 10 lead of the attack
postponed until the following morning, and again
postponed until the Oath, for the reason. Mean
while orders received for the Eleventh corps to
TO Chattanooga, where 1t reported on the 22d This d.
vided nv command and the orders contemplated
advance from valley, application made by
the Major General commanding the departing for
authority to accompany the Eleventh corps signing
reason that it my duty to Join thai part OF my
mand going into battle This acceded TO- and prepare
tory to leaving invitation was sent for Brgader General
Geary who the senior officer in my absence to exam
inc with the enemys position and defences, and to be
Informed at what points desired 10 have his troops held
This to enable TO make use Of the telegraph IN
communicating with him advisedly during the progress
the fight should favorable opportunity present itself
! for him TO advance
ADVANCE IRON AND CAPTURE OF MOUNTAIN
On the commander of department requested
me 70 remain in Lookout valley, and make demonsra
early possible the next morning the point OF
Lookout Mountain my command to consist OF the parts Of
| two divisions Later in the day 1.-THE 23d) copy
| OF a telegram was received from the Major
! General commanding the Military Division Of
Mississippi, TO the effect that in the event the pom
bridge at Browns ferry could not be repaired in
for 0sterhaus division of the Fifteenth corps TO
by eight O'Clock A. NJ on the oath, the division
would report to me- soon after another telegram from
the headquarters OF the department instructed me in the
demonstration should develop its practcability At Two
O'Clock NJ. word was received that the bridge could
not be put in seviccabe condition tor twelve hours butt
to be certain on the subject staff officer was despatched
to ascertain and at past three M on the 24tn
! the report was confirmed
GEN. HooKrRs ACTUAL COMMAND.
As now composed, my command consisted Of 0ster-
haus division, Fifteenth corps Crutts Of the Fourth.
Geary's Of the Twelfth excepting from the two last
named divisions such regiments required to pro-
tect communications with Bridgeport and kelleys
ferry; Battery X, of the First Ohio, and Battery k
First New York Of the Eleventh corps the two having
horses but for one part Of the Second Kentucky cav
ary and Company K or the Fifteenth Illinois cavalry
making an aggregate force Of thousand hundred
| and eighty We all Strangers one division
\ ever having either Of the others.
Geary's division, supported by whtaxers brigade, Of
Crufts division. was ordered 10 proceed up the valley,
| cross the creek Wauhatchie, and march down,
sweeping the rebels from it, The other brigade the
Fourth corps was TO advance seize the bridge ust below
the railroad and repair it, oserhsns dyi,on was 70
place OF CROSSING also TO furnish supports for the bat
teres. The Ohio battery was to take position on Bald
Hin the New York battery the hill directly in tho
The second Kentucky cavalry was despatched TO
the Of The enemy in the direction of
Trenton. and the Illinois company to perform orderly and
duty This disposition of the forces ordered
! to be made after daylight as practicable.
THE EyEMy-LooKouT MOUNTAIN AND THE VALLEYS.
At this time the pickets formed continuous
line along the right bank of Lockout creek with the re.
the valleys, while his main force was encamred
10 the hollow half way up the slope OF the mountain Inc
summit Itself held by three brGades OF stevensons
division, and these comparatively safe, as the only
Of from the west, for distance Of twenty
miles up the valley, was by two or three trans, admit
these traits were held at the top by rebel pcke For
this direct attempt was made for the dslodge
ment OF this force. on the Chattanooga side when ~
less PERCEPTIONS, road OF easy grade has been made
communicating with the summit by zgzag ilnes
running diagonally up the mountain side and y
was believed that before our troops should gam
possession of this the enemy the top would eyacuate
his position TO avoid being cut on from his main body,
TO rejon which would involve march Of twenty or
| thirty miles Viewed from whatever point Lookout
Mountain, with its high, pasaded crest and its Steep
ragged rocky aud deeply furrowed slopes presented an
i'm osng barrier advance aud when TO these natu
raj Obstacles added almost iuernabe well planned
and well constructed deences, held by Americans the
assault became enterprise worthy OF the ambition and
Of the troops to whom II was entrusted ON the
i northern slope midway between the summit and the
(, Tennessee, plateau belt Of arabic land
enriches the crest. There continuous line
doubts and pits appeared lower down the slope
repcl assault from the direction OF the river. ON
each flank we're rifle pits epauments batteries. walls
u stone and abats to resist attacks from either the
chat nooga or Lookout valley. In the valleys them.
! selves earihworks OF stil greater extent
UNION rRoors-THE MOUNTAIN TAKEN
Geary commenced his movement as instructed crossed
the creek eight O'Clock captured the entire picket Of
forty posted TO defend IL, marched directly up
the mountain till his right rested on the PALISADES and
headed down the valley. Al The same time Gross
brigade advanced resoluely, with brisk diminishing,
drove enemy from the bridge and at proceeded
10 put II in repair The firing at this point alarmed
Hing down the mountains from their camps, and moving
into thor rife pits and breastworks Az the same time
numbers established themselves behind the embank
ment Of she railroad which enabled them without expo
sure 10 sweep with Gre OF muskery the held over
which troops wsud be compelled 20 march for a
distance OF three hundred yards These DISPOSE
tons distinctly visible, and as facilities for avoiding
brigade under OF the hills and trees about eight
hundred yards higher up the creek and prepare cross
na 0p a.r s nus rs as u
sufficient force at the bridge TO engage the attention of
| the enemy, and Tor the balance o. Gross brigade
tiers planted 10 enhade the position the
enemy taken. and oserhaus established section OF
woniypoundcr PARROTS TO enalade the route ny which
the enemy left his camp The battery on Bald Hill
ennladcd the railroad and highway leading Chattanooga
aud an batteries and sections OF batteries mad direct
or cnnadng fire. within easy range. on all The positions
taken by the rebels Besides, the twenty.pounder Par
,he aide Of the mountain with this disposition OF the
artillery was believed VIC would he able to prevent
the enemy from dcspatchng relief to oppose Geary
and also keep him from running away.
AZ eleven O'Clock Wood had completed bis bridge;
engaged "ppV and all the guns opened WOODS
and Gross then sprang across the river, ,oned
Geary's left, and moved down the valley A few
OF the enemy escaped from the artillery fire. and those
who did upon infantry and were captured
The balance Of the rebel forces killed taken prs
opers, many Of them remaining in the bottom Of their
pits for safety until forced out by men.
Simultaneous with these operations the troops the
mountain rushed their advance, the right passing
directly under tho muzzles OF the enemys guns on the
summit, climbing lodges and boulders, up hill aud
down, furously driving the enemy from his camp and
from position after position. This lasted until
twelve O'Clock, when Geary's advance heroic
ally rounded the peak Of the mountain. Not
knowing TO what extent the enemy might be-
reinforced, and fearing, from The rough character
OF the field OF operations, that lines might be
dered directions had been for the troops 70 halt on
reaching this high ground but fred by success, with
flying panic stricken force before them they pressed
pctuous,y forward Cobbam's brigade, occupying tho
hiah ON he Lnt Line