The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-02
New York Volunteers on the ''RO-
nance" at Lookout Mountain.
FIELD MARSHAL OR PRESIDENT!
The Strength Of the Armies Before
Richmond Disputed.
DISCUSSIONS on TIE PACIFIC SLOPE.

WAS THERE A BATTLE AT LOOKOUT NOUN
rAIN?-THE ONE HUNDRED AND roRTY-NINTa
NEW YORK (sYRAcUsE) VOLUNTEERS, WHO
HELD THE LEFT OF THE LINE, CONTRADICT
GENERAL GRANT AND COLONEL MAXWELL.
JFrom the Syracuse Evening Journal, July 81
Tho recent statement OF General Grant that the ac
ton known the "Batte OF Lookout Mountain" or
TIE battle Above the Clouds" was "one of the
romances OF the war tina: 'there was no such bat
ns aud no action worthy TO DO called battle on
LOOKOUT Mountain" has been supplemented ny
letter published in the Philadelphia Times by George
Troup Maxwell, late Colonel First FLORIDA cavalry q
Confederate Officer, who was temporary brigade CON-
mapder in Bates division of Breckinridge's corps
corps ocer OF day the occasion OF the cap
ture OF Lookout Mountain In which the writer says
that General Grants statement lis In perfect agree
ment with my observations and knowledge"
Colonel Maxwe's statements do not
reflect creditaDIy upon his soldierly qualities
nor upon his recollection Of the events he attempts
to set forth. With the FIRST reflections we have
nothing to do save correction OF the latter may
make it ss-evident. Noting some Of his inaccura
it Is proper say that the 149n New YORK Vol
anteers of this city, occupied the left Of the first line
or federal advance along the mountain SIDE; that
colors borne along the roadway through the
rebel camp the fortihcatons, up to ana bey ond
soldiers most OF the prisoners were taken several
rebel coors captured and also two brass pieces
of artillery There therefore, no lack OF testimony
at hand from participants In the tight who are person
ally cognzant OF tho iacts we state and whose cred
fore, over Colonsi Maxwell, we notice. FIRST,
that the day was fair and inc mountain
unobscured by clouds until considera0iy after
Ihe hour mentioned by Colonel Maxwell when
and most OF the rebel general officers nrst learned
''that the enemy was moving" Colonel Maxwell was
.'at the ronI his picket line until one O'CLOCK r.
M but declares that ''not circumstance, not even
the irregular firing OF picket sklrmshers occurred 10
disturb the pervading Stiffness" THIS is almost
an mpossibilIty, as q history OIL the assault wouo
show. The Location Of Colonel Msxwels picket line
might we'll conceive, have prevented his
hearing OF tho muskery firing. but the roar OF the
batteries al General HooEer's headquarters, under
cover of which the assault was made, could not pos
sbly have escaped his notice II he was on DUTY, as ne
says. He airms, again, that General stevenson
OF the assault until the mountain was
taken This cannot be true, Tor the reason above
gwen and furthermore because the line OF march
IN full view OF his signal Stations and his OIL
there distinctly seen by our troops vigor-
Ousy signalling These are the chief inaccuracies in
In Colonel Maxwells statements Of matters OF iact
Now General Grants opinion OF the "ro-
nance" Was there battle at Lookout Mountain
Technically. PERHAPS there was not an engagement
that would be disiinctvely known AS the "Battc Of
Lookout Mountain" IL was important part OF the
aecisve conflict known ''the Battle OF Chatta- |
nooga.n IL assault upon position held by
the rebel let wing, deemed well nigh imprcgnable,
aud although tue rebels were taken by surprise,
hghting done, the Capture made, we'll us he occu
pancy the positiop were sufficient, taken by them
selyes TO dienuy It with ;ne name OF battle. 1he
the single regiment named we're eight Killed
forty eight wounded; and the Capture ol rebel
prisoners by the same regiment numbered 1,000, with
Two pieces OF artillery aud three stands OF coors
Surely such achievements by only one regiment out
Of the wnoc number engaged wei merit the
honor claimed. The assault began with artillery
iuiantry demonstration at the loot OF the noun
tain near the mouth oil Lookout Creek The
real fighting was done by the Third brigade
OF the Second division oil The Twelfth Army corps,
supported by Two regiments OF me Second brigade,
anu brigade OF Osternaus' division OF the Fifteenth
Army corps The right OF the advance assembled the
mountain three miles away, anu, resting ut the loot
OF the precipce the lett stretcbed away down
the mountain side. In line OF battle the troops
moved forward, driving Ia inc unsuspectug Dickot
line, sweeping The deserted camp OF The rebels,
meeting sharp resistance ~ every gulch and rock
tree, took the ltte fort guarding the approach
noun tain INTO full Of the magnificent panorama
that Tor u moment made many OF the soldiers forget
ther duty stop entrnnced 10 drink In the spec
tacle Half mile further on the road TO the summit
reached, there the advance stopped. Soon
the smorable clouds settled down over the scene
ana put stop to all except desultory hrng, which
continued during the night. There have been mere
skirmIshes deadly In their results as rs this
battle, out none which the results surpris-
ing, important and complete.
There s'romance' IN tho event, but NO less
there lasting and memorable deeds General Geary,
In his cobgratuiatory order, says:'Ihe conquest of
Lookout Mountain will, associated with the emblem
atc sWhite STAR Of the conQncrors, stand out as
prominently In history as do the beetling cliffs OF that
Titanic emInsnce upon Tho horizon" Colonel G. b.
Randall congratulating the I49Ih regiment says:-
"Tnc unparalleled heroism you dIsplRycd, bearing the
brunt Of the battle Ia the successful assault upon TIE
supposed pregnuble Lookout Mountain received
lm ediaIe reward In the long and loud huzz Of the
entire Army OF The Cumberland, your spectators" IL
cannot lie In the power OF any Confederate officer to
cover by the technical declaration Of General Grant
and by mis- own misstatcments the shame that must
inevitably be felt by the discounted defenders OF
Lookout Mountain thsir surprise aud defeat that
occasion.