LETTER #2 - The Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign

 

 

O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXI/2 [S# 55]

NOVEMBER 23-27, 1863.--The Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign.

 

No. 29.--Report of Lieut. Col. Porter C. Olson, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry.

HDQRS. THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLS.,

Chattanooga, Tenn., November 28, 1863.

 

SIR: In compliance with orders from brigade headquarters, to furnish a statement

of the part taken by the Thirty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers in the late

action near Chattanooga, Tenn., I have the honor to make the following report:

At 12 m., November 23, 1863, the Thirty-sixth Illinois took position to the left

of the Ringgold road, the right resting at the well of Warner's house; the left

joining the right of the Twenty-fourth Wisconsin, and fronting east. I took this

position by order of Colonel Miller, he being assigned to the command of four

regiments of the first line. At 2 p.m. I moved the regiment forward with the

rest of the line 200 yards. At 5 p.m., in compliance with orders from Colonel

Sherman, the Thirty-sixth Illinois went forward into the timber, our right

joining the left of the Seventy-third Illinois. Details from the regiment were

set to work erecting barricades, and here we remained during the night.

At 3 o'clock on the morning of the 24th November, as directed by General

Sheridan, the Thirty-sixth Illinois was moved about 500 yards to the left of the

road, and joining Colonel Harker's brigade. Colonel Barrett reported to me that

he had been directed to take command of the three regiments of the First Brigade

that were in the front line, the Thirty-sixth being one of them.

We were not engaged with the enemy during the day; remained here through the

night. On the morning of the 25th November, at 10 o'clock, as ordered by Colonel

Barrett, I sent forward three companies to be deployed as skirmishers (A, B, and

F). These companies were placed under command of Major Sherman of this regiment.

At 1 p.m., in compliance with orders from Colonel Sherman (my brigade

commander), the Thirty-sixth was advanced to the first line of the enemy's

works, about three-fourths of a mile from the foot of Missionary Ridge, my

regiment forming a part of the front line.

At 2.30 p.m. Colonel Sherman directed that at a given signal I should move

forward, as the whole line would advance at that time. The signal was soon

given; the Thirty-sixth advanced with the front line; at the distance of

one-fourth of a mile we emerged upon an open field stretching to the foot of the

ridge. We moved across this field on the double-quick, our ranks meantime being

plowed by shot and shell. Upon our approach the enemy fled in hasty retreat to

the top of the ridge, from which place it was now evident they intended to make

their defense. Upon reaching the first line of the enemy's works, near the foot

of the hill, we halted for a minute or so to catch breath. I then ordered the

regiment forward to the second line of works. The hill-side was now being swept

with a merciless storm of grape and canister. Showers of musketry were hurled

through our ranks, to which our men replied with great vigor and accuracy.

Having reached the second line of works on the hill-side (being the third from

where we started), again we halted for a short time. These moments of rest were

faithfully employed in delivering the enemy a deadly fire. Again I ordered the

regiment to advance. They obeyed with alacrity; thus we ascended the hill,

halting occasionally a moment to deliver our fire and obtain a little rest, for

the speed with which we had made the long charge--the men carrying 80 rounds of

ammunition with accouterments of a soldier--had nearly exhausted them.

The hill was steep and rugged; the fire from the enemy was incessant; in many

places they were strongly posted behind barricades of logs, rails, or stones;

but, notwithstanding all the difficulties under which we labored, we reached the

summit of the hill in less than an hour and a half from the time the charge

commenced. As we arrived at the summit of the hill the enemy fled in great

confusion; the rout was complete. In connection with other regiments of this

brigade, we assisted in capturing several pieces of artillery, a number of

caissons, and a great quantity of small-arms, for which I am sure that my

superior officers will award a full share of credit to the gallant officers and

men under my command. We went into bivouac upon the ridge near the house known

as Bragg's headquarters.

At 1 o'clock on the morning of the 26th November, by order of Colonel Miller,

the Thirty-sixth Illinois moved in pursuit of the enemy with the rest of the

brigade upon the road toward Chickamauga Station. On the afternoon of the same

day we returned with the brigade to Chattanooga.

Throughout the entire engagement the officers and men under my command behaved

with the greatest gallantry and coolness. Though they have conducted themselves

bravely and nobly on former fields, it seems to me that on this occasion the

regiment has added a new and brighter luster to their already good name and

well-earned laurels. I do not know that they exceeded the men of other regiments

in this action, for all seemed to vie with one another in deeds of daring; but

this I do believe, that their conduct for bravery and almost superhuman exertion

has never been surpassed in any army. Their names will be held in remembrance by

a grateful country.

It is impossible to mention specially, within the short space allowed for this

report, the names of all who behaved nobly. I cannot, however, omit to mention

the gallant conduct of Maj. George D. Sherman; much is due to the bravery with

which he exposed his own life wherever he was needed. I desire also to thank

Adjt. Charles T. Case for the efficiency with which he assisted me in managing

the regiment; his conduct was exceedingly praiseworthy. The line officers

conducted themselves in the most praiseworthy manner. I mention the names of the

company commanders: Captain Merrill, Company I; Captain McNeal, Company C;

Captain Biddulph. Company K; Captain Cass, Company D; Captain Mossman, Company

F; Lieutenant Clark, Company E; Lieutenant Beebe, commanding Company H;

Lieutenant Salisbury, Company A; Lieutenant Bars-tow, Company G; Lieutenant

Haslehurst, commanding Company B; their bravery and coolness were manifested in

every part of the regiment.

Of the conduct of the enlisted men the facts stated in this report form a more

brilliant compliment than any other that could be given. I must, however,

mention the name of the flag bearer, Private William R. Fall, of Company C, for

bravery. He can have no superior; he was among the first to reach the summit and

wave the Stars and Stripes in the face of the enemy.

It is not for me to comment upon the conduct of my superiors, but I desire to

state that the conduct of Colonel Miller, of this regiment, was especially

conspicuous for gallantry; he rode along the line exposing himself with the most

perfect coolness, directing, encouraging, and urging forward the exhausted men

of whatever regiment he found. I make this statement as an acknowledgment of his

assistance, not that anything I could say would add to his high reputation.

To this report I append a list of casualties.

Your obedient servant,

PORTER C. OLSON,

Lieutenant-Colonel Thirty-sixth Illinois Vols., Comdg. Regt.

Lieutenant NIEMAN,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

 

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