It was now dusk, but the two regiments engaged in the flanking movement pushed on to gain the bluff.  Just as they reached the crest of the ridge the moon rose from behind, enlarged by the refraction of the atmosphere, and as the attacking column passed along the summit it crossed the moon’s disk and disclosed to us below a most interesting panorama, every figure nearly being thrown out in full relief.  The enemy, now outflanked on left and right, abandoned his ground, leaving us two pieces of artillery and a number of wagons.  After this ridge was captured I found that no other troops than mine were pursuing the enemy, so I called a halt lest I might become too much isolated.  Having previously studied the topography of the country thoroughly, I knew that if I pressed on my line of march would carry me back to Chickamauga station, where we would be in rear of the Confederates that had been fighting General Sherman, and that there was a possibility of capturing them by such action; but I did not feel warranted in marching there alone, so I rode back to Missionary Ridge to ask for more troops, and upon arriving there I found Granger in command, General Thomas having gone back to Chattanooga.

Granger was at Braggy’s late headquarters in bed.  I informed him of my situation and implored him to follow me up with the Army of the Cumberland, but he declined, saying that he thought we had done well enough.  I still insisting, he told me finally to push on to the crossing of Chickamauga Creek, and if I, encountered the enemy he would order troops to my support.  I returned to my division about 12 o’clock at night, got it under way, and reached the crossing, about half a mile from the station, at 2 o’clock on the morning of the 26th, and there found the bridge destroyed, but that the creek was fordable.  I did not encounter the enemy in any force, but feared to go farther without assistance.  This I thought I might bring up by practicing a little deception, so I caused two regiments to simulate an engagement by opening fire, hoping that this would alarm Granger and oblige him to respond with troops, but my scheme failed.  General Granger afterward told me that he had heard the volleys, but suspected their purpose, knowing that they were not occasioned by a fight, since they were too regular in their delivery.

I was much disappointed that my pursuit had not been supported, for I felt that great results were in store for us should the enemy be vigorously followed.  Had the troops under Granger’s command been pushed out with mine when Missionary Ridge was gained, we could have reached Chickamauga Station by 12 o’clock the night of the 25th; or had they been sent even later, when I called for them, we could have got there by daylight and worked incalculable danger to the Confederates, for the force that had confronted Sherman did not pass Chickamauga Station in their retreat till after daylight on the morning of the 26th.