The National tribune., 1891-06-11
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What0ur Veterans Hare 10 Say About
Their Old Campaigns
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.
CAPT. Wilson'S Claim TO Planting Tie First Flag.

II
Of the nth Pa have raised controversy
through yonr paper. The question has been
thoroughly investigated by Tic Climax OF TINS
place l0u will see that Gen. Hooker Blg''
Gen CruIt Col Sid Barnes, and various others
all testify to the fact ihat was the first to UNI
fnrl the flag on lookout Peak. Not General
supports Comrade Moore OF the White Star
Brigade, not even the commander OF that
brigade Col Richards, in an eyasiyo sort oil
way. appears 10 claim il, but he Acknowledges
that he was never on the highest point. Gen.
Geary who commanded the White Stars, gives me
the credit Now don't You thiak the evidence
Sd entirely on my side, and that you ought To
Eot me right before the public through lHE
NATIONAL TRBUNEf-JoHN WILSON, Cap
tain, Co. c, Sth KY Station Camp, hy.
The following is Capt Wilson's evidence TO
the business of his claim:
On the cath of November, 1863 the famous
"battle Rboyc the clouds" was fought. No
engagement Of the war, size considered Is 20
noted. ID was an attempt by Gen. Hooker
who bad acquired the appellation OF ftghthg
Joe Hooker 20 disladgr the Confederate
forces that occupied tho top Of the mountain.
The battle mainly at the base OF the mountain,
extended up the side 10 a pout above log that
had gathered and mingled win the snoke OF
the engagement giving rise TO the idea Of
battle above tho clouds.
Early next morning Nov. %, Gen. Walter
c. Whitaker called uTon the Sth Ky. for yoluu-
teers TO climb the rugged nights and plant the
Gag on the highest point IN full view oil Ooth
ermies Col. Barnes made known the wish
of Gen. Whitaker, aud instantly Capt wilson
fgni6pd his READINGS, to undertake the peril
Gus task He turned 10 the color bearer and
Hsked if be would follow him 10 carry tie bag.
The bearer hesiiaiea, glanciug al the towering
rocks 10 be assembled, aud ~ the heavy flag TO
be carried. Capt Wilson caught mp the Tag
at the same time handing bis sword To tue
bearer, and started on the dangerous mission,
accompanied by Serg't James Wood, Co. ~,
Private William witt Co A, Serg't Harris III.
Davis, Go. E, ScrEt Josoph Wagers, Co. b, aud
Private Joseph Bradley, CO. l..
Those who have seen the awe inspiring pree-
ipiCc no the topof the great mountain can real
iFe what serious undertaken was before the
half dozen bold Kputnckiaus not TO mention
their lack Of knowledge concerning the Conlod-
crates who the day before had held Hooker
eutiTC army 8t bay Thedim dayl ght WAS dawn
ing. The handfHl Of volunteers crcpt cautiously
upward. clutching al rocks and bushes, support.
ing each other, using sticks aud poles and snch
other aids as they could gather. At every step
ghey expected 10 be greeted with deadly mss
ailes OF some sort from the enemy. But for
tune favored them, and before sun-un, Capt
Wilson, in front, reached the summit aud
planted the Gag on top Of Lookout Mountain,
Below them lay the Union army aud IN the
distance was Chattanooga. while of 10 the
southeast lag the Confederate army.
Soon other dciuchments came Up, and con-
graduated Capt Wilson and party, and they
were the lions Of the day in the Union army.
Gen. Thomas granted 39days' leave of alb
sence 10 Capt Wilson aud party for gallant
and heroic conduct on the morning Of the 25th
day OF November, 1863. at the battle OF Chat
tHn0cga. on advancing and planting the colors
ErI I a. 40
air in the face Of the enemy a. tie fnrlough
reads.
The various officers made their reports 10 tie
War Department, Capt. Wilson was honorably
mentioned, aud the world went on with nc
other thought than that he was the sole and
Fiphtf1 claimant OF the honor But Of late
rival bias appeared from Pennsylvania. III
claims 10 have been the man who carried tHC
hsg 10 the summit on the morning Of Nov. %
1861
In Vol. 81, part 3D. page 1852 OF the Official
Record Of the Rebellion, Col Barnes, 9Th Ky.
SAYS. An attempt was made nc the Tgqucs
OF Brig. Gen Whitaker on the path b reacl
tbe summit bot failed, owing 10 the supcrio
numter OF the enemy and tie use of hand gre
nsdcs by them Page JOB: Early mex
m0ruil Capt Wilson with five Others, voluu
teerel, and in q few minutes planted the color
OF tho S,h Ky. on tie top Of Lookout" Pag
lbA have the honor 10 especially mention
Capt JoisU Wilson bcTC the Others are named
for eXtrg ordinary daring aud gallaHtTy IN as
sending tire summit Of Lookout Mountain ant
planting the col0FE Of the 9Th Ky. thereon ii
advance OF any other persons. ] trust the.
may be promoted"
ON Fsge 2i1, Gen. Hooker saws: Bef0r
daylight parties from several regiments wer
dispatched 70 scale the nights, but 10 the ri
Ky. must belong the distinct on ~ having bee
foremost 20 reach the crest, aud al sunrise Q
display our flag from the peak Of Lookout"
On pfge 3gs. BrT-Ben. John W. Geary says
The aol0rs 81 the sth Ky asrendcd the easter
side OF the ridge aud the 2glh Pa on the west
&fn They TODD on the summit about the sam
time, aud the former, the 9Th Ky, having th
shortest route, was The FIRST 10 unfurl to iii
breeEe"
ON PAGE LAG. Brig Gen. Charles Cruft SAYS
Volunteer from the 9Th Ky aud the gtn Ia,
started with noble emulation 10 see whic
should FIRST attain the summit and plant tl
coIors upon H. The eth XIV was the fueccasfl
competitor for the honor" On page l52 Gel
Crultfurther says: Capt Wilson aud his part
are worthy Of special mention"
On page l5G, Cen, Whitaker says Earl
"a ihe morning Of the 2Jth, / called for volui
tecfs from the tth Ky 30 scale the cliff. thi
ovcrAaug the point auc take Lookout Rock
was not known what force Was on top Iap
Wilson aud Eve others volunteered ID was
pOssess ion aHd uniurleG our Gag This flag vi
the piG Of loyal women Of Estill COUNTY, j
IN bad been most hon0rby borne"
On page lGl Slol. Mullen. OF the Both Ind. saw
The night Of the pain we b.vouacEcd on II
ground. Next morning the flag Of the sth X,
81 our brigade was floating from the peak
lookout
On page Isl, Col. suman o. the 9th Int
Mys. Alter ascending part Of the way wi
30 men aud my color Ruard, beheld the Sta
aud Stripes planted upon the crapPy rocks
she gallant troops Of Gen. WlitakcTs Brigade
The above is certainly abundant proof ID
Capt Wilson, Co. g. eth Ky, Is the man wi
b. advance Of all others planted the hag
top ~ Lookout Mountain before sunrise on I
morning u Aoy. -, 1862, and following [
battle above Tire clouds" Col. Villa
Richards <9;h Pa, claims the honor for
regiment lie says, on page 40: " A llcasa
rivalry was got Up between the col0r.bear,
81 tho 2ath Pa. and the Nth Pa a. 10 viii
should get the col0n 10 the point Of the moul
ain first The 29th had the shortest rou
which brought them 10 The highest point a
she co.on Of The 29th were the Grst 10 rea
She extreme point aud ou tho highest point
cessible 70 man, except By some route then 1
known 20 u.s." On page s3l be c0n,inu
For my regiment j claim the honor Of
advance and extreme right OF the moycme
Sic planting OF the FIRST Gap on the point Of
mouuialu, ~ the highest point accessible
cept some road then unknown TO Us"
~ b clean % us chat the report Of Col Ri
Erts oi The 18th, is cYas.yc; aud while %
pears o. Say THAI hIs regiment planted Tie
on top BE- does not really say 90. bat tw
makes tAe exception of s1mt route tLcn
known 10 Us" We take il that by "us