The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-01-12

1t having now been determined to make an
effort to raise the siege of Knoxville, the
Eleventh Corps, in pursuance oforders marched
from Parker's Gap to Cleveland Oh Nov. 20.
On Nov. 80 the corps marched to Charleston, on
the Hwassee, driving n small force of the
enemy toward Athens. portion of tho day
and night was spent in repairing the railroad
bridge, which had been destroyed by the enemy,
and at a. m. Dec. l the crossing commenced.
At p. N. the corps reached Athens and en-
camped about two miles beyond, where it was
learned that on the preceding Sunday (Nov.
go Longstreet had attacked Burnside at
Knoxville, and been repulsed. Early OIL the
morning of Dec. 9 the corps left camp for Phila-
delphia and Loudon, and after camping en-
route during the night reached London early
on the following morning, when they found
that the enemy had evacuated, having de.
stroyed from 60 to 70 cars, aeveral locomotives,
q large quantity of provisions, clothing, and
ammunition, and, finally, their pontoeh bridge.
A IL o. m. the corps marched esa reached
Dayis's Ford in time to be1,H 3etesing the
Little Tennessee Rivet - dSyitaSt and by
dark, after marc. oi 20 miles. reached Louis
vile, Tenn. Meanwhile Gen. Howard had, by
orders of Gen. Sherman, bes- ea.=d ic COM
mand Of tho left wing of the arp-, .eth Gems.
Granger and Blair in commssIs ~el s.1S>ely, of
the center and right wings.
By this time Gen. Longstreet Ia begun
retreat. and on Dec. 6 Gen. Howard received
instructions to commence tho return march on
the following day. Accordingly the return
march began, and on the 18th of December the
Eleventh Corps had arrived at its old camp in
Lookout Valley, having endured the fatigue off
three days battle. engaged in the pursuit of
the enemy for two days, destroyed the railroad
communications between Bragg and Longstreet,
and marched 100 miles northward TO the relief
of Burnside.
Early in January new division. to be called
the First, was added tothe corps. This division
was composed as folows-Brig Gen. William
]. Ward commanding: First Brgade-Col.
Benjamin Harrison-102d, 105th and 10th ILL.,,
10th Ind. and 10Th Ohio. Second Brigade
Col. John Coburn-33d aud S5th Ind, 10Th
Mich. and 22d Wis.
During the month this division remained in
camp and furnished working parties on mill
tary roads and railroads. On the morning of
Jan. 81 the Third Division moved from Look
out Valley and served as a guard for the mill
tary railroad along the route between White
sides and Shellmound, besides doing guard,
picket and scouting duty.
On Feb. rs, 1864, Gen. Howard resumed COM
mand of the Eleventh Corps, relieving Gen.
Schurz, who had been in temporary command,
and by orders from Washington, dated April
Is, the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps were con-
solidated as the Twentieth, under the COM
mand of Maj-Gen. Hooker, and Gen. Howard
succeeded Gen. Hooker in command OF the
Fourth Corps. Although the Eleventh Corps
thus lost its identity it's proud history re-
manned, and many of those who had shared its
hardships and its triumphs became destined to
win additional honors by gallantry upon new
fields under their new leaders.
Ma. -Gen. Oliver o. Howard, who had been
in command of the corps from April ], 1868.
was born Nov. s, $780, and graduated at Bow
doin College in 1850, and at tho United States
Military Academy in 1854 A t the outbreak
of the rebellion he was commissioned Colonel
of the Sd Me-, and commanded brigade at the
first battle of Bull Run July q, 1861. He was
appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers
Sept. 3, 1861, and Major General Nov. 30, 1862.
He was severely wounded at the battle Of Fair
Oaks, Va, losing his right arm. During the
Northern Virginia campaign lie was engaged
in skirmish near Centerville, and assisted in
covering the retreat to Washington. In the
Maryland campaign he commanded the Second
Brigade, Second Division Second Corps, sue
ceeding to the command of the division on
Sept. IL, when Gen. Sedgwick was wounded,
and continued in command OF that division
until his assignment to the command OF the
Eleventh Corps. When the Eleventh and
Twelfth Corps were consolidated IN April.
1854, he was assigned to the command OF the
Fourth Corps, remaining in command until his
assignment, July ~, to the command OF the
Army Of the Tennessee. He continued in
command of that army until May IL, 1860,
when he was appointed Commissioner OF the
Bureau Of Refugee Freedmen and Abandoned
Lands, and held that office until juno 81, 1872,
when its operations closed. lie subsequently
conducted a campaign against the Nez Perees
Indians from May to November. 1877, and also
defeated the Bannocks aud Piutes III 1919. he