The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-01-02
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.
"Honor to Whom Honor is Due.p

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.
"HonOr 10 Whom Honor Is Due"
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: i see in your
issue of Oct. 81 Comrade Philip G. Helder 42d
Ind, says he would like to hear from some of
the comrades who took part in the battle of
Lookout Mountain. As participant in that
battle, for the information of the comrade
will just say that it is quito surprising that
there should have been any dispute as TO the
comparative value of the services of the differ
ent commands participating i'll the battle of
Lookout Mountain. Where each one bore its
part so well, one would suppose that the proper
credit would have been cheerfully conceded to
all but such was not the case, and while yet
the smoke of battle hung over the mountain
side, the wranEling as To whom belonged the
credit of the brilliant victory began
The movement that gave us the mountain
with SO little loss, comparatively, was the rapid
advance of our right wing, Gearys Division
and our brigade tGross's) being with Osterhaus
on the left, near the foot OF the mountain. This
movement. which 1anked tho main rebel force
on the mountain. side aud left 1t TO fall into
Osterhaus's hands an easy prey, was led by
Geary's Division up 20 a certain point, where
IL halted in obedience TO orders, that the whole
line might be readiusted. If this order had
been fully obeyed, il would have cost us scores
OF lives, rs il would have allowed tho retreat
up the mountain of the rebel force in front of
near the Craven House, which would have ro-
quired struggle to dislodge IT, Fortunately.
our brigade, not understanding the order, or
with the happy inspiration that prompted our
troops the next evening at Missionary Ridge Go
make the memorable assault without orders,
ran through Geary's Division, charging tho
several lines of works before reaching the
Craven House. the right of our regiment reach
ing point in the rear Of the rebel line; this
rapid advance of our regiment elutching the
rebel left ut point near the Snmmertown road.
Yet the sun had not gone down before the claim
was made that the credit OF this bold dash be-
longcd to Geary's Division and a somewhat
acrimonious dispute was had between Gen.
Whitaker aud officers Of the Eastern division
over the matter
In proof of the business Of our claim. Gen.
Whitaker pointed to the dead Of our regiment
lying near the captured guns and ali along the
line OF advance from the point where Gcary's
Division halted. The dispute was closed by
Gen. Whitaker ordering me 10 take charge of
the guns. aud a squad was accordingly detailed
who baued them down the mountain by mOon-
light aud turned them over to the Ordnance
Officer. The following copy of the receipt, now
in possession OF Hon. jesse Nj. Oren, shows TO
whom belonged the credit of capturing the
guns:
CAMP AT LOOKOUT CREEK.
Nov .. 1868 |
Received OF Jesse " orcn, Sergeant of Co Il,
sDtH Ohio. Two pieces OF artillery captured by tue
SOth Ohio nj the battle OF Look out Mountan
h. Il. CEoxTos, First Lieutenant,
and Ordnance O niecr, First Division Fourth Corps
To snbstantate what have said submit
my official report Of the part my regiment
took In the battle Of Lookout Mountains
HEADQUARTERS 10TH ONO. CAMP NEAR !
IISGaoLD, Ga, Nov. 30. 1863.
Lieut. q. II. BoogE, A. A. A..G.
IhgUrTsASr have the honor To report, Ia COM
pance with General Order No i2, Second Brigade.
First Division, Fourth Corps. that the 40i Ohio
left Shell Mound With the balance Of the brigade
The I'D inst. for tile front marching until late
! la the evening when IL encaInped for the night
near Lookout Mountain. Early ia tlc morning Of
the 9th the line Of march again taken up we
crossing creek al the foot of Lookout, and CON
Iinuiug up the mountain, where three lines Of bat
Tie were formed the 10th Ohio being first from this
left ia the second line About ~ o clock adj
/ vance was ordered After advancing half mile.
slight skirmisbiug commesced with the front line,
which gradually Increased the iines moved for
ward until the firing became general when an or.
! der to charge was given which was successfully
obeyed aud after driving the enemy several hum
dred yards, 10 near his camp the 10Th passed the
front line, charging and routing the enemy la con-
fusion from every point for more than half mile,
scaling his bitches aud stone barbados.
| About the White House were two pieces Of mr.
| tillery. and over 300 picks aud spades capt
ured. The pursuit continued over wall. aud
bitches until the enemy was met IN such numbers
as 10 compel The regiment to fall back 10 u stone
wall for protection which WAS successfully held
uDtil we were relieved by fresh troops
While directing the men la the last position the
! gallant DiBI. Acton was instantly killed, IA muskct-
bail passing through his breast. Brave Richard
Beetle, who noby carried the coiofa through the
charge. WAS also killed. The effective strength OF
/ the regiment before the battle was 10 officers and
! 1888 enlisted men. Casualties, one officer and II
men killed; officer aud Is men wounded aud
| two men missing. Aggregate loss, two officers and
! - men.
On the morning Of the 25th the regiment was de-
! tailed to Teconuoitcr Chattanooga Valley, which
WAS continued 10 the creek and until about "
o'clock, with further result than the capture OF
! six prisoners and two cases Of guns nearly full
/ Our regiment was then ordered to reoin the bri.
! gade near Missionary Ridge. which IL did about 2
! O'Clock b. m, aud moved with the balance OF the
| brigade on the Ridge, but was not brought under
| fire.
| On the morning Of the 26th the regiment with
the brigade, wAs ordered 10 move on the Ringpold
road. Alter crossing small stream about o % clock
y. M, the regiment was detailed TO deploy aud re.
connOlter "A mountain where IL was supposed the
enemy Lad encamped. This was done with the
result of the capture Of one horse. caissOn and
one suppiy-whgen.
On the morning Of the 9th the march was con-
tinued 10 Ringgoid, where the advance of the col
umn again encountered the enemy. Here the
regiment was again formed la line Of battle form.
ing the fourth line in thc brigade but was not en-.
gagged ia the action. Officers and men with bat
few exceptions. did nobiy Ia the work during the
campaign. Those deserving particular mention
! Tor gallant conduct In storming Lookout are Mai
| Acton and Capt. Richard Beetle. who were In.
stautly killed on the enemyis works while urrinp
the men forward Lieut.. john Smith, Co 1, who
gallantly led his men forward and encountered the
enemy ia "A hand hand conflict in his works.
Corporal Rider, Go. q, who picked up the coiors
when shot down, ieaped upon stone, and def.
ahty waved them In the enemy's face and proudly
bore them from the field.
Very respectfully, J. E. TAYLOR
Colonel Commanding Regiment.
| u, IL, TAYLOR. Huriiugton Iowa