The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-08-09
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What Oar Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns.



To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
The evening after the sa;tle Of hickamauga
our battery was ordered EcI0ss the Tennessee
River. We went down 10 the extreme point
OF Moccasin, opposite Lookout Mountain. The
next morning the enemy opened on US with
artillery. IN our position we were unable 10
do them any damage, aad SO moved back out
of range 10 choose position, Captain Naylor,
our battery commander, having tue choice.
Ny sectioa-LieuteBant i. Cox commanding
took the highest point. where II could com
mand all the territory IRON Lookout to Mis-
sion Ridge. Lieutenant All COsner took posi-
ton to our right 3bsut two hundred yards
distant We Immediately commenced f0rtify-
ing under charge OF the engineer corps, our
men cutting down ali the timber In our front.
The Twenty Michigan infantry took
position between oar two sections Oh a natural
ridge. The Eorry-eie hth Indiana giment was,
] think, on our right and rear. In . few days
our works were in cOndlt on 10 commence
operations Lieutenant Cox ordered us TO open
IRE on the enemy and see If we could draw
them out. We succeeded admirably, and had
q very nice little artillery duel. No body was
hurt ON our side, though the rebel shot eX-
ploded and struck all around US. Some of the
finest shots We made while on Moccasin Point
were made with shells thrown at Us by the
enemy. We dug them up, re-primed them and
sent them back. We fired more or less every
day. Having signal corps with rs, we had 10
telegraph 20 headquarters in Chattanooga the
cause and effect. Our gunners had splendid
practice and got the exact range Of every point.
No body OF men or any object could move with
out our gunners giving them a dose. Often
when the pickles came in they would say that
the JOhnnies pickets had complained in this
manner; Why don't that d Tenth Indiana
battery fight the artillery Oniyi We ara not
disturbing them" Our orders were TO fire at
throwing over Lookout Mountain. and conld
see the shells go way over, but as we could not
see through the mountain we could not see
their effect There was road leading to the
top of the mountain, and about half way
up was an open space of the length of
six-mule team. We tipped over many
ono there. until they were afraid to make the
attempt in daylight. One day several men were
over from town or the army below. to see us.
do not now remember 10 what regiment they
belonged, except the Tenth Indiana. While
they were there, the enemy moved quite a
force out 10 an open field to our left front and
about opposite Fort Negley, and it looked as if
they intended an advance. We opened on them
with shell, the gunners doing splendidly, and
SCATTERING the ranks of the enemy as they
retired. leaving number of dead and wounded.
Our men were complimented very highly. We
left one tree In our works, using it as a lookout,
a non-eommissioned officer being detailed to
watch with powerful glass the movements of
the enemy. Whenever he reported a battery
being placed in position, cur boys would make
the rebel position too hot, and they would seek
a change Of climate. Nearly every move the
enemy made was exposed, and then they would
be shelled out.
The evening before the battle Of Lookout,
Generals Howard and Smith were over to see
rs and had long talk with the boys. General
Howard wanted 10 know why we had quit throw
cfaslf fosr
We're doing such good execution. We told him
we had quit by request Of General Hooker, who
said we were Smelling his camp. To throw a
shot over Lookout Mountain we had TO give
twenty-five degrees Of elevation. General How
ard thought that would explode the pieces but
We knew better Before leaving, the general told
us It was thought the enemy were throwing
up works on the right lower crest OF the noun
tain, and on the morrow they were going to
open on them, and that we should open a cross
fire when they gave the signal The signal was
given the next day. and we went TO work. In
q short time / saw that we would run short of
ammunition, and called for volunteers to carry
il, cur chests were 1t the foot of point nearly
hall mile Ia the rear kobly the Forty
eighth Illinois responded they were weak
from want Of food, but willing. It was anus
ing TO see them One tried to carry an arm
load of 20-pound Parrot shells. told them TO
take cartridge IN each pocket and shell IN
each mana, aad said that IL they reached the
guns they would do well After having sent
up good supply went up myself. The boys
were piling IN the shot thick and fast and do
ing good execution. 1t was not long before we
saw the blue coats on the lower crest, and with
them the Stars and Stripes. We changed our
range 10 suit and continued to pour shot and
shell among the enemy. On the morning of
the cath, after the mist cleared of. there on
the extreme top of Lookout, proudly foated
the glorious Stars and Stripes.
Now, one word as 10 who shelled the signal
flag from Lookout.
}. Il. De Spain, gunner on No. ? gun,-and
no better was in the aTmy,-elaims he sighted
his piece, traced his shot, and saw il strike and
the man and flag fall ] ain positive the shot
went from Moccasin Point il did not go from
Fort Negley. But. as 10 my private opinion as
10 who did it, ! viii give it some other time.
want the boys TO have a chance
ID. G. BLoDGETT,
La EAYETTE, IND. 10th IND. Battery.