n for
permanent success in any line, either civil or military. This element
evidently dominated in this battle. The struggle along Mission Ridge
seemed more like a series of independent battles than one grand
conflict. There were few times during the day when the engagement
appeared to be heavy and continuous along the whole line. There
certainly was not an extended and unceasing roll, as at Chickamauga and
Stone river, but rather a succession of heavy blows. Now it would
thunder furiously on the extreme right; then the left would take up the
sledge, and finally the center would begin to pound; and so the National
giant appeared to skip from point to point along the ridge, striking
rapid and thundering blows here and there, as if seeking the weak place
in his antagonist's armor. The enemy, thoroughly bewildered, finally
became most fearful of Sherman, who was raising a perfect pandemonium on
his flank, and so strengthened his right at the expense of other
portions of his line, when Thomas struck him in the center, and he
abandoned the field. The loss must be comparatively small, but the
victory is all the more glorious for this very reason.

26. At one o'clock in the morning we crossed the Chickamauga in pursuit
of the retreating enemy. The First Brigade of our division having the
lead, I had nothing to do but follow it. At Chickamauga depot we came in
sight of the rebels, and formed line of battle to attack; but they
retired, leaving the warehouses containing their supplies in flames. At
3 P. M. my brigade was ordered to head the column, and we drove the
enemy's rear guard before us without meeting with any serious opposition
until nightfall, when, on arriving at Mrs. Sheppard's spring branch,
near Graysville, a brigade of Confederate troops, with a battery, under
command of Brigadier-General Manny, opened on us with considerable
violence. A sharp encounter ensued of about an hour's duration,
resulting in the defeat of the enemy and the wounding of the rebel
general. My brigade behaved well, did most of the fighting, and, owing
to the darkness, probably, sustained but little loss. When General Davis
came up I asked permission to make a detour through the woods to the
right, for the purpose of overtaking and cutting off the enemy's train;
but he thought it not advisable to attempt it.

DECEMBER, 1863.

I will not undertake to give a detailed account of our march to
Knoxville, for the relief of Burnside, and t