The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-11-05
ANOTHER CLAIM.
An Ohio Comrade susiains the slh Ky.'s Right to
Planting the First Flag.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUEE: wish 20 say
few words about the battle of Lookout Mount
ain. happened TO belong TO Gen. w. @. Whita-
ker's Brigade, aud passed around the face oil
the mountain on the morning Of Nov. "a,
1853 There seems to be q great deal oil
bad feeling existing on the part Of some mem
bers OF the White Star Division, and IL Com
rade Murphy bad passed around the east side
OF the mountain as early in the day rs did our
brigade, ho could have seen Chattanooga and
the troops I'm the valley. They could and
did see US. What made our line more con-
sPieuous was the fact Of our regiment having
new flag. Late in the evening we were rein
forced by brigade from the Fourteenth Corps,
who made special inquiries as to what regiment
had new flag.
l don't know what brigade or division this
was, but ] do know the Goth Ohio belonged 70
u, for was personally acquainted with several
members OF that regiment, having enlisted
from the same County (Darkol. But two hours
later II was quite different, when the fog had
raised from the base Of the mountain.
Now, in regard 10 the capture OF the l,5OO or
1000 prisoners, will try to show how this YVES
accomplished, without claiming directly all the
credit for our brigade. On account OF recent
rains Lookout Creek was 40 full that it was
not fordable, and the White Star Division
aud Nhitaker's Brigade were sent up the creek
aud crossed on an old mil-daIn, or DRIFT, while
the remaining portion OF HOOkers forces, to-
gether with Osterhsns's Division, of Sherman S
army, and Cross Brigade, Of the Fourth Corps,
constructed bridges, upon which they crossed
further down near the northwest base OF the
mountain, and in front Of the main portion OF
the enemy occupying the north slope OF the
mountain.
We crossed about 8 n. m. and at 10 a. m. all
the forces were on the east bank Of the creek.
On account OF the fog at the base OF the mount
ain, and the onemy's attention being taken up
by the crossing Of the lower forces, We crossed
without opposition. Gearys Division wa.
placed in the front, and our brigade in the
right rear, near the palisades. We thus adj
Vanced I'll we came 10 or near peach orchard,
where Geary's Division was halted, in accord
ance with orders.
Our brigade, either not knowing Of this
order or animated by the spirit of the troops
next day at Missionary Ridge, pressed forward
aud passed through the front lines, and on the
run charged and captured the works near the
Craven House, rs also those two guns about
which there has been so much controversy
We did not stop there, but our brigade, with
the fOth Ohio in the lead. continued to advance
till we came 10 the SummertOwn road and ii
the White Star Division had been there to sup
port ms We would have captured all the forces
on Lookout Mountain. But they were not
there, nor did they put in an appearance till
p. m, at which time the mountain was envel-
oped in fog and smoke. The reason Of the
capture OF the mountain and so many prisoners
with so little loss was on account Of the rapid
movement Of the right wing. Geary's Division
and Whitaker's Brigade, thus cutting OF a
large rebel force on the mOuntain-side, who
finding themselves completely hemmed in, as
u were, became An easy prey to Osterhaus's
men. Every man in Whitaker's Brigade who
took a part in this battle knows this to be true,
the assertion Of Mr. Murphy to the contrary
Notwithstanding.
Our brigade should have full share In the
honor Of the capture of Lookout Mountain
for IL was it that reached the flank and rear
OF the enemy's works cutting them Of, aud by
which their capture became easy and sure The
loss OF the 40th Ohio was IL killed, including
Maj. Thomas Acton, and - wounded, two Of
whom died in q few days. These men all fell
at or near the works or guns at the Craven
House.
snrg. John Y. Beach isa perfect gentleman o.
the strictest yeracity and any reflections cast
upon him will meet with the most unqualified
resentment OF the members of the doth Ohio
aud Of the brigade TO which no so successfully
ministered.
As TO the hosting Of the first flag after thu
capture OF the mountain, every man OF our bri-
gade knows who placed il there. and it was the
only flag visible from the east side Of the mount
ain displayed from Lookout peak. IL was put
there by the 5th KY. I. MARLAE, Sergeant
60. q, 10th Ohio, Pony. Ind.
Every bottle OF Hoods SarsapRrilla contains l0C
doses and "a a fair equivalent Tor a dollar