Catching as accurate an idea of the ground as possible by the dim light of morning, I saw that our line of attack was in the direction of Missionary Ridge, with wings supporting on either flank.  Quite a valley lay between us and the next hill of the series, and this hill presented steep sides, the one to the west partially cleared, but the other covered with the native forest.  The crest of the ridge was narrow and wooded.  The farther point of this hill was held-by the enemy with a breastwork of logs and fresh earth, filled with men and two guns.  The enemy was also seen in great force on a still higher hill beyond the tunnel, from which he had a fine plunging fire on the hill in dispute.  The gorge between, through which several roads and the railroad-tunnel pass, could not be seen from our position, but formed the natural place d’armes, where the enemy covered his masses to resist our contemplated movement of turning his right flank and endangering his communications with his depot at Chickamauga Station.

As soon as possible, the following dispositions were made:  The brigades of Colonels Cockrell and Alexander, and General Lightburn, were to hold our hill as the key-point.  General Corse, with as much of his brigade as could operate along the narrow ridge, was to attack from our right centre.  General Lightburn was to dispatch a good regiment from his position to cooperate with General Corse; and General Morgan L. Smith was to move along the east base of Missionary Ridge, connecting with General Corse; and Colonel Loomis, in like manner, to move along the west bank, supported by the two reserve brigades of General John E. Smith.

The sun had hardly risen before General Corse had completed his preparations and his bugle sounded the “forward !” The Fortieth Illinois, supported by the Forty-sixth Ohio, on our right centre, with the Thirtieth Ohio (Colonel Jones), moved down the face of our hill, and up that held by the enemy.  The line advanced to within about eighty yards of the intrenched position, where General Corse found a secondary crest, which he gained and held.  To this point he called his reserves, and asked for reenforcements, which were sent; but the space was narrow, and it was not well to crowd the men, as the enemy’s artillery and musketry fire swept the approach to his position, giving him great advantage.  As soon as General Corse had made his preparations, he assaulted, and a close, severe contest ensued, which lasted more than an hour, gaining and losing ground, but never the position first obtained, from which the enemy in vain attempted to drive him.  General Morgan L. Smith kept gaining ground on the left spurs of Missionary Ridge, and Colonel Loomis got abreast of the tunnel and railroad embankment on his aide, drawing the enemy’s fire, and to that extent relieving the assaulting party on the hill-crest.  Captain Callender had four of his guns on General Ewing’s hill, and Captain Woods his Napoleon