The National tribune., 1889-10-31
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.
Did O,torhaus's Men DO Anything in that Action

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.
Did 0Sterhaus's Men DO anything In that Actioni
EDITOR NATIONAL tribune: Partly as a
spectator and participant and with no motive
of parading the part our command performed,
few additional remarks may not be amiss
the intention being principally 10 have duo
credit accorded another than our own COM
mand-one which, through the modesty Of its
own members or some other cause, is usually
wholly ignored by the many and divers writers
on the subject.
The battle of Lookout Mountain found Car
Inns Brigade, to which tho writer belonged
constituting tho extreme right wing of the
Army of the Cumberland, posted across the
railroad and narrow neck of ground formed by
the junction of Chattanooga Creek with the
Tennessee River, opposite Aloccasin Point. To-
ward evening, aud when made practicable, the
brigade, loaded with extra supplies OF ammuni-
ton, made its way over n hastily constructed
bridge and began its ascent over rocks, trees
and RuIleys OF the mountain-side, aud lmmedi-
ately in the rear of the line then engaging the
enemy, making a Decline as near as the nature
OF the ground permitted for he Plateau House.
Arriving in the vicinity of the latter n short
rest ordered. and then, under orders of
strict silence, we moved out. deployed, and re-
levcd the men who had held the line below
aud above the road until then. The Johnnes
showed an increased activity about this time,
possibly TO cover their contemplated depart
IRE" and we had the satisfaction Of exchanging
lead compliments by the fash of the guns, nc.
companicd by crashing Of rocks hurled down
over the Palisades But aside from this aud
the sending of few Johnny rebs We fonnd
hidden under hugo powders to tho rear the
night passed, became finally less noisy, aud
morning found the enemy gone.
Now, In clambering up the m0untain-side
early in the evening, we frequently passed III,
tie squads Of men, generally about fire. aud
usually In some gully or Tavinc. preparing COLI
fee, and to our questions as TO what command
they belonged 10 invariably answered Oster-
hauss Division. II we passed any others on
the front line at that time the fact IL not now
remembered by the writer, but from inforua-
ton then aud the following morning obtained
and since learned reliable, the Johnny rsbs
appear 20 have been started on their back wasd
move by Whiiakcf's Brigade attacking them
in flank near the Palisades when the battle had
fairly opened on the west side OF the mountain,
while Geary's men were pushing them In front
and center. aud 0ateThaus was sweeping along
the left extending his lines 10 tho rivers edge.
/ This line, when the extreme northern point or
| ridge Of the mountain had been reached was
naturally much contracted, aud the most Tor.
midablc OF all the works of defense were en-
eountered here at the clearing near the Plateau
| House Whitakers and Dsterhaus's men here
! joined, were informed, thus placing
| Geary's men, who held the first line al begn-
ming. in second line. However this may he,
! tit being only given US personal recolleeiions
/ from explanations made al tho tme) tho
/ works were handsomely carried by whatever
commands that may have done IL, ~ We e0nld
readily distinguish from our position at the
| foot OF the mountain. We make no claim m a,
authority, save The fact OF what troops formed
/ the line OF battle when We passed up the
mountain, and they were Osiprhaus's, who GER
sat.AuH IL. o. n.
/ the attempt Is 30 persislently made 10 push
other commands to the front for honors Of
which there ought 10 be enough TO go around
/ But having heard little or nothing mentioned
| Of Osterlaus and his men In the memorable
| conflict Of Lookout Mountain, 10 ought not 10
| be arniss 10 have attention called 10 their part
| in IL.
As to who planted the FIRST flag on the peok Of
| Lookout early November % appears 10 be fully
| settled and authortatvely established 10 all
] reasonable minds of participants as having
| been done by men Of the 9Th KY, Comrade
| BluudiDs persistent denial 10 the contrary
| Notwithstanding. Ia conclusion, would saw 10
C0nradc Blundn and all Of his thinking. that
| 10 make any sort Of flag planting possible IL
probably required all the combined efforts of
| The vaTions commands assigned to that partic.
! uiar task. Bat Of one fact he can also be as-
| sured and remember that while extoling his
particular division IN that affair." the force, In.
| Guiding lis command" that successfully waRed
the battle Of Lookout Mountain had sufficient
spfinkiinR Of boys from the Armies of the Ton
nessce aud Cumberland 10 eiiectually preclude
| the possibility Of the outcome turning into n
! Chanceli0rsviHe affair. HoHOrs are certainly
due all participants in that struggle who car
ried out their assigned duty. while none de-
| serve special merit, unless there be special
grounds aud justification for il. So, while IL
| will always interest TO read Of old times, 10
would be relief il we conld hear from some of
| Ostefhaus's men on the subject instead OF
| what has been 80 repeatedly rehearsed To us in
Fighting Them Over" on one particular sub.
ject. With no desire to detraet or have any
ones motive too severely questioned it may
be pardonable 10 express wish for change.
and hear something from other and equally
| reliable authority on the battle of Lookout
Mountain, and especially from some of our
comrades who had opportunities of knowing
what WAS done which the rank and file did
not enjoy provided always that they be un-
prejudiced aud give a correct ACCOMPLISHING
Z. HELDEK, AID Ind, Manhattan, Kan.
/ a L. Z.