Report of captain E. P. Bates, one hundred and twenty-fifth Ohio:  ...."Perceiving that the ridge across which my regiment extended was commanded to the very crest by a battery in front, also by those to right and left, I directed the men to pass up the gorges on either side.  About forty men, with Captain Parks and Lieutenant Stinger, passed to the left, the balance to the right, and boldly charged on, till, foremost with those of other regiments, they stood on the strongest point of the enemy’s works, masters alike of his guns and position....  Captain Parks reports his skirmish-line to have charged upon and captured one gun, that otherwise would have been hauled off.”

Report of colonel Allen Buckner, seventy-ninth Illinois:  ...."The right of the regiment rested on the left of the road, where it crossed the rebel fortification, leading up the hill toward Bragg’s headquarters.  We took a right oblique direction through a peach orchard until arriving at the woods and logs on the side of the ridge, when I ordered the men to commence firing, which they did with good effect, and continued it all the way up until the heights were gained.  At this point the left of the regiment was near the right of the house, and I claim that my officers and men captured two large brass pieces, literally punching the cannoniers from their guns.  Privates John Fregan and Jasper Patterson, from Company “A,” rushed down the hill, captured one caisson, with a cannonier and six horses, and brought them back.”

Report of colonel J. R. Miles, twenty-seventh Illinois:  ...."The regiment, without faltering, finally, at about 4.30 P.M., gained the enemy’s works in conjunction with a party of the Thirty-sixth Illinois, who were immediately on our right.  The regiment, or a portion of it, proceeded to the left, down the ridge, for nearly or quite a quarter of a mile capturing three or four pieces of cannon, driving the gunners from them.”

CHAPTER XVII.

Ordered to return to Chattanooga—­march to Knoxville—­collecting
subsistence stores—­A clever stratagem—­A bridge of wagons—­looking
out for the personal comfort of the soldiers-A leave of absence
—­ordered to Washington—­parting with Sheridan’s division.