The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-04-28
MAJOR GENERAL HOOKER'S OFFICIAL
REPORT,

REPORT.
HEADQUARTERS lIrH AND 18TH CoRps, I
LOOKOUT VALLEY, TESN.i FEs 4th, 1894.
Brigadisr General II. D. W1ipplc, 4. Il. G.
Army Of the Cumberland!
GENERAL: have the honor to submit the
following report of the part taken by my
command in those operations of tho army,
which resulted in driving the rebel forces
from their positions in the vicinity of Chat
tanooga, and Of its participation, immedi-
ately afterwards, in their pursuit.
In order that these operations may be dis
tinctly Observation-Disclosures troops concern
ed be known, and receive the honor due
them, it is necessary to premise by stating
that the general attack was ordered 10 be
made on the enemy's extreme right, at day
light on the 21st of November, and that
preparatory orders were sent, through me,
on the 18th for the 18th Corps to cross the
north bank of the Tennessee river on the
Goth. At this time, the 18th and a part Of
the 18th Corps, were encamped in Lookout
Valley, opposite to the left of the enemy's
line.
In consequence of the non-arrivai Of the
force'mainly relied on to lead off, the attack
was postponed to the following morning
and again postponed until the 24th, for the
same reason. Meanwhile, orders were re-
ceived for the 18th Corps to 90 TO Chattanoo-
ga, where it reported on the 22d. This di-
vided my command, and, as the orders con-
templated no advance from Lookout Valley,
application was made by me, to the Major
General commanding the Department, for
authority 10 accompany the 18th Corps,
assigning as reason, that it was my duty
TO join that part of my command going I'M
~ Cd u
tory to leaving, invitation was sent for Brig
Gen. Geary, who was the senior officer in
my absence, to examine with me the enc
my's positions and defences, and TO be in
formed at what points desired to have his
troops held. This was to enable me to make
use of the telegra ph in communicative with
him advisedly during the progress Of the
fight, should favorable opportunity pre-
sent itself for him to advance.
On the Esd the Commander Of the Depart
ment requested me to remain in Lookout
Valley, and make a demonstration as early
as possible the following morning On the
point of Lookout Mountain-my command
10 consist of the parts Of two Divisions.
Later in the day, the 23d, copy of tele-
gram was received from the Major General
commanding the Division of the Mississippi,
TO the effect, that in the event the pontoon
bridge at Browns Ferry could not be re-
paired in season for 0sterhaus' Division of
the 18th Corps to cross by eight O'Clock, A. r.,
on the oath, the Division would report to
me. Soon after, another telegram, from the
Headquarters of the Department, instructed
me in the latter case to take the point of
Lookout Mountain, if my denomination
should develop its practicability. At two
o'clock, A. NJ, word was received that the
bridge could not be put in serviceable con-
dition for twelve hours, but to be certain on
the subject, staff officer was dispatched to
ascertain, and at 3;l5, A. n, on the gath the
report was confirmed.
AS now composed, my command consisted
of -Osterhaus' Division, 18th Corps-Cruft's
of the 4th-Geary's of the 18th, excepting
from the two last named Divisions, such
Regiments as were required to protect our
communications with Bridgeport and Kel-
ly's Ferry;) Battery &" K of the Ist Ohio,
and Battery ok" LIST New York, of the
llth Corps 1.-THE two having horses for but
one "a part of the I'd Kentucky Cavalry,
and Company of the 18th Illinois
Cavalry-msking an aggregate force Of
(96Sl) nine thousand six hundred and eigh-
ty-one We were all strangers-no one BIZ
vision ever having seen either Of the others
Geary's Division, supported by Whitta-
ker's Brigade of Cruft's Division, was order
ed to proceed up the valley, cross the creek
near Wauhatchie, and march down, sweep
ing the rebels from 1.-THE other Brigade Of
the 4th Corps to advance, seize the bridge
Just below the railroad, and repair it-0ster-
haus' Division was 10 march up from Browns
Ferry, under cover of the hill, to the place
of crossing; also, to furnish supports for the
batteries. The Ohio Battery was to take
position on Bald Hill, and the New York
battery on the hill directly in rear The
I'd Kentucky Cavalry was dispatched to
observe the movements OF the enemy in the
direction of Trenton and the Illinois Com
pany to perform orderly and escort duty.
This disposition of the forces wss ordered 70
be made as soon after daylight as prsetieG-
bic.
At this time the enemy's pickets formed
G continuous line along the right bank Of
Lookout Creek, with the reserves in the
valley, while his main force was encamped
in a hollow, half way up the slope Of the
mountain. The summit Itself was held by
three brigades of steyenson's Division, and
these were comparatively safe, as the only
means OF access from the West, for q dis
lance of twenty miles up the valley, was
By two or three trails, admitting Of the pas
sage OF but one man at q time, and even
those trails wore held at the top by rebel
pickets. For this reason, no direct attempt
was made for the dislodgment Of this force.
On the Chattanooga side, which IL less pre-
oipitous, road Of easy grade has been
made, communicating with the summit by
Eig-zag lines running disgonally up the
mountain side, and il was believed that BE-
fore our troops should gain possession OF
this, the enemy on the top would eyaouate
his position 10 avon being cut of from his
main body, TO reioin which would iayolve
march Of twenty or thirty miles.
Viewed from whatever point, Lookout
Mountain, with its high pallisaded crest,
and its steep, rugged, rocky and deeply
furrowed slopes, presented an imposing
barrier % our advance, and when 70 these
natural obstacles were added almost inter
miuable, well-plsnned and well-eonstruet-
cd defences. held by Americans, the assault
became an enterprise worthy Of ths smbi-
ton and reBown VI the trOoPs to whom Il
vas intrusted.
ON the northern slope. midway between
the summit and the Tennessee, q plateau or
belt Of arabic land eneircles the crest.
There & continuous line Of earthworks hsd
been thrown up, while redoubts, rsdans,
and pits appeared lower down the slope, 70
repei an assault from the direction Of the
river. On each flank were ri6e-pits, epsul-
Fnents for batteries, walls Of stone, and
sbattis, 70 resist attacks from either the
OF Lookout valley. IN the val
ievs themselves were eaTthwogks Of stu |
greater extent.
Geary commenced his movement ss In |
the creek a. eight O'clock /
captured the entire picket Of forty 1.-TWO men |