The National tribune., 1886-04-15
TAKING OF CHATTANOOGA
4 yoica :rom the 9th Ohio.

To THE EDITOR: Wagner's Brigade, of which
the 91th Ohio was part, crossed the Cumber-
land Mountains direct from Pelham, approach
Ing Chattanooga from the north. Several days
were spent about the hills north Of the river,
fronting the city, skirmishing with rebel pick
cts and exchanging shot and she'll with the
enemy. IEcy occupied q strong fort on a beach
on the east side Of Cameron Hill, about 400 feet
high Immediately overlooking the river inside
the city limits. We had pushed their pclcts
back across tie river and our piCECt-linc finally
extended along the north bank Of the river,
Immediately opposite the city.
On the Sth day OF September, 1863, the 97th
Ohio was on picket duty and occupied that
line, 5kirmish!ng with the enemy across the
river ali day. The next morning Sept. g. as
soon rs it was light enough TO see, it was dis
covered that the heavy guns in this fort had
been removed, although the p.Ckets were still
there and resumed their firing. II soon became
evident that the rebels were evacuating the
city. and about ; o'clock a. IN. their officer of
the day rode down the line and took of his
p.ckcts. A citizen then waved his white hand
kcrchicf 10 US. Two line officers Of the 9th
were Immediately dispatched in a dugout to
cross over and bring back the old mule ferry
boat that lay at the wharf at the foot of Market
street. Taking two companies OT the 9th with
the ColCTs, Mai. Moore and myself with our
horses, boarded the ferry we didn't swim,
crossed over quickly, deploycd As skirmishurs,
ana climbed tie steep dcclivity into this fort,
took possession of it, and Immediately planted
the colors OF the oath on its paraqct.
At the sight Of the flag Is il 1oatod from this
fort, from which we had been vigorously shellcd
for several days, the whole brigade on the Hill
north OF the river sent mp i shout, whila Cox s
battery fired . salute Of SIX guns. On reaching
this fort (which has since been converted into
a reservoir for the city wafer works a fine view
surroundings, including the old CrulcAficId
House which was but few blocks away. The
rear OF the Tctrcatmg column Of tue rebel
I army was still visible in the lower part of the
city, but the Stars and Stripes had not yet
made their appearance on the Crutchfcld
House, or surely some one Of the 70 or 50 sol
dieIs then in the fort, and in fun view. would
have noticed it. In this connection an impor.
tant fact VIII be remembered by those who
had reached the fort and run upt the 97th's flag
that is, that skirm!ahing was distinctly heard
at the foot of Lookout Mountain, which was
undoubtedly the diminishing which is referred
to by Maj Bohn. This firing however, ceased
pretty soon, and 1t WIS not long until there wa
a demonstration Of Union troops coming in
from that direction but our flag had been
floating In the fort nearly an hour before thi=
took place. No doubt Mai. BONN honestly
supposed his p gimcut was the first in the city
but in this he IS mistaken. 1t was ia rccD-
the first in the city that they were placed on
provost duty and Gen. Wagner was made com
maud.uJ Of the post and was held in reserve
and not cai.edintO action at the battle OF Chick
. aulauga.-MiLgoN BARNES, LIcutcuant-CUlo
. mel, 9th Chic.