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THIRTY-SIXTH INDIANA IV THS BATTLESOF CHICKAHAUGA.Hbadqcartbrs 36th Rbgt. Ind. Vols.,Chattanooga, Tbnn.,Sept. 27tb, 1863Col. William Gross, Commanding3d Brigade, 2d Division, 21st Army Corps:Sir:—As commander of the 36th Regi-mentjlodian* Volunteers, I have the honor to report the movements of the regiment since thy'aftemoon of September 3d, 1863, at which date we arrived on the north bank of the Tennessee River.The crossing was effected between 10 o’clock, P. M., of the 3d, and daylight of the 4th, at the month of Battle Creek.— Lieut. Col. O. H. P. Carey was at this timecommanding the regiment. The strength of the regiment was twenty-five commissioned officers and three hundred and twenty-two enlisted men.We moved to Shell Mound, five miles up the river, on the afternoon of the 4th. Our marches from this time forward, until we crossed the Lookout Mountain, two miles south of Chattanooga, on the 9th iost., were slow, though men and officers suffered from exposure, the nights being quite cool, and nearly everything in the shape of baggage and bedding being left behind. From the 9th to the 16th, we marched, with the rest of your brigade, a distance of some sixty miles, skirmishing with the enemy’s cavalry frequently, suffering no loss.On the I6th we had another skirmish with the enemy’s cavalry, Cos. G and H. as skirmishers, with Cos. A and C thrown out as flankers, driving them pell-mell into and partly through Whorton’s Gap of the Pigeon Mountains, where we captured a quantity of forage. Wo had none killed or wounded.From the 16th to the evening of the 18th, we were wming along the banks of the Chickamaug^Tver, always in presence of the enemy, but by whom we were not molested, except in the wounding of one man of Co. F from a stray shot on the afternoon of the 18th.In the memorable battles of Saturday and Sunday, the 19th and 20th inats., the part taken by the 36th Regiment Indiana Voluntees was an active one. It was our fortune to be thrown into the engagement of Saturday immediately after the firing began, 11 o’clock A. M., and though suffering terribly in killed and wounded, were able to hold our position, on the right of the Brigade, in support of a section of artillery, until 3 o’clock, P. M., at which time our ammunition gave out and we were compelled to fall back. This was accomplished in good order and with small loss. During the engagement theo o oenemy pressed us closely at all points and was punished severely.Lieut. Col. Carey retained command of the regiment from the beginning of the engagement until 1 o'clock, P. M , when he was severely wounded in the ankle and compelled to retire from the field.After falling back a distance of perhaps two hundred yards our men were reformed, and though unable to secure ammunition, stood up before the enemy’s fire, with fixed bayonets, supporting a battery of artillery, which was showering shot and shell into his ranks. The rebel charge being checked we moved a *»hort distaoce forward, and to the rear and left of the position occupied during the day, where we bivouac ed for the night.At daylight on the morning of the 20th we again shifted our position to the left, throwing up breastworks of logs and brush in anticipation of an early attack.— We remaioed at this place but a short while, when we were relieved by a regiment of another division. At 8 o’clock the enemy’s column was advancing upon us, and we at once moved forward to the combat, our position being the extreme left regiment of the lines. The euemy charged three times to our front and waa as often repulsed with heavy loss. On the fourth attack his column moved round our left, and we again got an opportunity, which we gladly improved, to punish him severely. The men of my regiment, with one huodred men of the 84th Illinois Volunteers, under Capt. Irwin, attaching them-aelvea to our left, rushed vigorously to the asaault; but it was like the ocean spray beating against the rock-bound coast. We were utterly powerless to check the surging and powerful columns of a foe outnumbering u« three to ooe; and, regardless of the slaughter to which he waa exposing bit men, onward and still onward bn moved, until our position was passed and our* • *flank turned. By your order we then' • . .A m .1 Withdrew to the right and awaited ilia order to retire from a field on which our men bad displayed the greatest heroismoutnumbered, they were compelled to yield to the desperate foe. We came off in good order about 5 o’clock* P. M., being exposed to a concentrated fire from the enemy’s artillery, who appeared to anticipate the movement.Our loss in the battles of the two days is hereto appended:Wounded—Lieut. Col. O. H. P. Carey.Killed—Sergt. Major Orlistus W. Powell.Company A.Killed—Private William Stewart.Wounded—Lieut. B. B. Carr; Corporals Elihu Swain, Franklin Elliott, W. 8. Brad way, John Werking; Privates G. O. Beach, W. Callahan, W. Camkliu, Jot. Emory, Clarkson Gordon, Robert Hall, W. II. Lewis, Jesse Bunker, James Patterson, S. L. Pike, A. S. Parson, J. E. Werking and D. Young.Missing—Sergt. T. 8. Henvenrid^o, PrivateNimrod Howronj both reported killeCompany B.Killed—Corporal h^es R. Adams; Privates John Heath and Joh^Bazlebaker.Wounded—1st Ser^Hjreorge W. Wool, Sergt. Wm.R. Willard; Corporal R. V. Hurst; Privateswm. W iliftrdj vorporai tt. v« n 11 pslj a n eicsGeorge L. Janney, Jonn Gilbert, John Tawsett, William Hatfield, Enos Huston, John H. Power,John Alford, Lemphi Croy, H. II. Berry, Henry Runkle and Janies C. Thorn.Company C.Killed—Private William Topping.MiWounded—1st Sergt. Hugh Mullen; Corporal Wi liam Modlin, Privates Thomas Mitchell, Perry Mitchell, Leander Shepherd, James Lewis, Levi Bond, Ilenry Moore, Nathan Nicholson, Andrew McDowell, Peter McDowell and Hiram Ross.Company 2.Killed—Private A. D. Ratcliffc.Wounded—-Capt. D. W. Chambers, Lieut. William Butler; Sergt. G. M. Cantly; Corporal R. V. Murray; Privates W. L. Freeman, Levi Edwards, J. G. Brown, Allen W. Coon, J. A. Spencer, Ira Eshleman, Geo. W. Hull, David Monti-cuc and Henry Grover.Missing—Sergt. C. A. Ray; Privates Hiram Butler and James Larimore.Company E.Wounded—Corporals N. C Linnington, Loring B. Morris; Privates Lorenzo Beed, James Thompson, Medford Durbin, Seppy Dudley.D .Missing—Privates Jacob Zeigler, David Min-niek, Presley E. Johnson, II. P. llunt.Company F.Killed—Privates John W. Harris and James Bates.Wounded—Lieut. S. D. Colvin; Corporals Z. II. Smith, I. J. Farquhar; Privates M. II. Brower, A. Ci Lowe, A. SI usher, John W. Cox, Win. M. Goff, Thomas Lawless, Samuel Shade, William U. Black.Missing—Private Ilenry Collins.Company G.Killed—M. J. Williams.Wounded—Corporal William R. Teagarden, Privates Littleton Deboy, Newby Wilson, John Packer, Barney Snider, William Kamsbotham and William Pentecost.Missing—Private J. M. Tolbert.Company II.Killed—2d Lieut. James Patterson; Privates John Cruse and David MeNeal.Wounded—Capt. Wm. F. Lirapus; 1st Lieut. George Mullikin: 1st Sergt. Joseph Ililligoss, Sergts. John J. Myres and William L. Jordon; Carporals Joseph Williams, Robert E. Ross and John G. Segar; Privates John M. Campbell, Pinkney Heath, David Rigor, Francis M. Steph-e»H and Stephen White.Missing—Privates Lyman A. Frink and Harrison Vilott.Company I.Killed—Corporal Michael Darcey.—CiWounded—Capt. John Siin; Corporal NewtonPalmer.Missing, and probably dead—Corporal Benjamin Wallack; Privates Daniel Fuller, John Patterson and Thomas Preston.1 cannot conclude. Colonel, without calling especial attention to the heroism and bravery displayed by the officers and men of my command, from the commencement to the end of these most terrible conflictsof the war. They were brave beyond what may ordinarily be expected of men, and no one can but be proud that his name is identified with the 36th Indiana Volunteers. Very respectfully,G. Trusler, Major Comd’g 36th Ind. Vols.From the Indianapolis Journal.Was Gen. Bosecrane’ Army Beaten in the Battles of the 19th and 20th nlt.1We think not, and shall endeavor to show clearly that Gen. Bragg was.What was the stake for which these generals contended ? evidently it was Chattanooga. Who won? Gen. Rosecrans, and continues to enjoy the fruits of bis substantial victory!Why assert the above, and what foundation in fact for it ? The following: Gen.Rosecraos, by a flank movement, compelled Bragg to evacuate Chattanooga, or be cut off from supplies. He chose evacuation as the better alternative; hence Gen. Rose-crans would enter end hold Chattanooga. To accomplish this brilliant advance, Gen. Rosecraos bad to march his army by circuitous roads over mountains to concentrate them in the valley, some fifteen milesbeyond Chattanooga, the most expedicions-ly; the several corps were assigned different roads or passes, only one division or so of Geo. Thomas’ crops marching directly upon Chattanooga, with the view of securing the northern bank of the Tennessee river, opposite the town. As soon as Gen Roaecrans’ plan developed itself Generel Bragg began to evacuate the place, falling back to a point some . twenty or more miles, till beyond the passes where General Rosecrant’a army would emerge jnlo the valley formed by Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain, to there combine, and either go forward or fall backon Chattanooga and make it a base for future operatidne. ... ,. Wv * :How what occur ed it history. Gen. Brigs receiving large reinforcements, attacked the firat of General Roaecrans’corps reaching the vailey, Gen.. Me Cook'a.Hurrying forward bit other corps, Gen, Rosecraos formed bis battle Ijhe on unknown ground selected by hie eoemjr-— this, too, uoder fire. On the 19th be held hie position,and on the 20th, continued to*
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Connersville Weekly Times
Connersville, Indiana, US
Thu, Oct 15, 1863
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