The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-05-01
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Copyrighted. 1901. by the pu


tween Corse's and Loomis's Brigades on
the one hand and the entire Confederate
forces defending that position on the
other had now been going on for over hve
hours No body of men could nave us
PLAYED greater courage and forttude than
these National troops, but 1t became OBJ
yiolIS to those who were closely obscrv-
ing the battle that Ewing's Division had
not sufficient strength to capture the
ridge. The enemy had n considerable
force near the foot of the ridge, both north
and south of the tunnel; they held Glass
house and all the outbuildings and had
four pieces of artillery in position over
the tunnel which raked LOOMS 5 line.
The enemy had from the early morning
been constantly receiving reinforcementS
for the defense Of Tunnel Hill. 1t was
prrfectlv clear that the assembling upon
the right flank of Gen. Bragg'S army OF
six divisions of troops composed OF 10
hrigadeS all under the command OF ten.
Sherman, had caused Gen. Bragg and his
leading subordinates serious apprehension,
and they had determined to leave nothing
unlone to maintain their hold upon the
railroad system leading south.
\ remarkable feature of this battle was
that the movements of the troops of each
army to reinforce positions, or TO prepare
for an attack. were seen by the officers
and men of their antagonists. Particular
lvrwaS this so with the COnfederates on
Missionary Ridge. Their elevation was
So great that they had a complete view
of the valley in which Gen. Grants army
was operating. He could perform no Sc
cret strategic movements, and so. on our
side. the movement of troops by Bragg
to strengthen his right flank was as well
known by Gen. Grant and the rank and
file of our army as by Gen. Bragg him
self.
About 1890 in the afternoon Gen.
Sherman directed that Col. LOOmis ad-
vance and place the left of his brigade on
the Tunnel Hill wagon road and hold the
ground. This advance was promptly
made. and the position was taken under
heavy fire and with severe loss.
Loomis's skirmishers carried the rail
road. the enemy was driven from GLASS;
house and the Outbuildings. These were
set on fire by the enemy as they retired.
The Confederate commander sent adj
ditionaI troops down the face of the ridge
north of the tunnel, and also strong de
tachment down the wagon road from the
gorge over the tunnel. Col. Loomis ex-
tended his left flank with the nth and
I'D Pa. regiments. These troops crossed
the valley under heavy fire, attacked,
and drove the enemy up the hill.
LOOMS having called for reinforce
ments. Gen. Smith ordered Gen. Matthies
70 report with his brigade to Gen. Ewing.
who ut once directed Matthies to cooper
ate in meeting this advance of the enemy
down from the ridge. Matthies threw his
brigade into the fight with great spirit.
and soon put the enemy to flight. They
retreated up the hill, fighting as they
went Matthies and McAloon's command
rushed up the hill to join in the assault
upon the enemys works.
In the meantime Gen. Ewing called for
additional reinfOrcements, and Gen. Smith
directed me TO report with my brigade to
Gen Ewing, which l did without mo-
ment's delay.
Gen. Smith had kept these two reserve
brigaGes in readiness to move at mo
ment's notice.
Gen. Ewing wished to extend the right
wing of Loomis's line with my brigade.
IoomiS's troops were occupying rifle
pit. In compliance with Gen. Ewing's or
ders | posted two regiments about ~
PAGES in front of his rife pit. and eX-
tended the line to right. with the balance
of the brigade. While Gen. Ewing
troops were under cover my brigade was
in the open Gen. Smith came upon the
ground in n few moments, and immediate
IL observed the situation. He protested
vigorously against such use of his com
mand. but no change was then made in
the formation.
More serious work was in store for my
brigade, and it was but a short time until
it was called upon to perform it.
Mai. McAloOn with the veteran Penn
sylvanians and Gen. Matthies with his
heroic brigade had assembled the hill. They
were upon the right of COrse's Brigade.
They reached the brow of the ridge. 400
feet above the plain. They We're within
100 feet of the enemyS intrenchment.
Those works were filled with determined
men. Eight pieces of artillery were
placed in these works, four bearing due
north and four at the salient angle. As
these devoted troops reached the brow
of the ridge a tremendous vOlley of mus
kerry and artillery welcomed them.
The men were ordered TO lie down.
They took shelter as best they could. and
orened fire. McAlOOn had fought at Get
tysburg. Matthies had fought from Island
No. 10 to Nicksburg. Their men were
veterans. They were there to fight, and
to die, if need be. for their country. An
incessant fire was kept up on both sides
This tragic scene continued for an hour
and a half.
Ny brigade had been withdrawn from
its anomalous position, and was held in
readiness at the southern slope of Sher
mans ridge ] had been standing at the
southern base of the ridge for. more Than
an hour. watching the progress of events
LOomis's line was intact, his right still
resting upon the railroad. He still held
the log mousse Ut bfdsS ) place, Dui he NAT
been unable to make any impression upOI
the enemy in his front.
The Pennsylvania troops. led by Nc
Aloon, Matthies's Brigade. and COrSe'.
Brigade. now commanded by Col. Wal
cult, still held their position, and kept NJ
a destructive fire upon the enemy. Tn,
batteries on Sherman's Hill and Lieut.
Plants battery, near the base of thu
ridge. Kept up as effectual a fire as wa
possible without destroying our own men
But the fire Of the enemy had been terri
bly, destructive. They were protected b.
well-constructed works; had been largel
reinforced, and were now able 10 brin
more men to bear upon a given point Ol
the Ridge than the two and a half brig
AIDES could do which were now in thei
front.
WE GO TO HELP MATTHIES.
At . p. IN. Gen. John f. Smith an,
Gen. Hugh Ewing rode down from Gen
Sherman'S headquarters ON the hill {
where | was standing with my staff. The
stated that Gen. Sherman had directe
that i should reinforce Matthies with IN
brigade. l replied that | had felt fo
some time that Matthies needed help.
asked for instructions as to the move
ment. Roth Gen. Smith and Gen. Ewin
requested my views upon the subject
proposed TO form the brigade in two line,
left in front, and march diagonally acros
the valley to the left to point in the rea
OF Matthies, the front line TO march Il
the hill TO the rear of Matthies' Brigad,
and the rear line To form in road whic
ran north up the valley at the base Z
Missionary Ridge The plan was az
proved, and ! Immediately gave order
for its execution. The S0th Ohio. Co
Prem Metham, and 18th Iowa. Col ClaT
Al. 4