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In directing Sherman to attack the north end of the ridge； Grant
disconcerted Braggwho was thus made to fear the loss of his depot
of supplies at Chickamauga Stationand compelled him to resist
stoutly； and stout resistance to Sherman meant the withdrawal of the
Confederates from Lookout Mountain。 While this attack was in process
of execution advantage was taken of it by Hooker in a well…planned
and well…fought battle； but to my mind an unnecessary one； for our
possession of Lookout was the inevitable result that must follow from
Sherman's threatening attitude。 The assault on Missionary Ridge by
Granger's and Palmer's corps was not premeditated by Grant； he
directing only the line at its base to be carried； but when this fell
into our hands the situation demanded our getting the one at the top
also。
I took into the action an effective force of 6；000； and lost 123
officers and 1；181 men killed and wounded。 These casualties speak
louder than words of the character of the fight； and plainly tell
where the enemy struggled most stubbornly for these figures comprise
one…third the casualties of the entire body of Union troops
Sherman's and all included。 My division captured 1；762 prisoners
and； in all； seventeen pieces of artillery。 Six of these guns I
turned over with caissons complete； eleven were hauled off the field
and appropriated by an officer of high rankGeneral Hazen。 I have
no disposition to renew the controversy which grew out of this
matter。 At the time the occurrence took place I made the charge in a
plain official report； which was accepted as correct by the corps and
army commanders； from General Granger up to General Grant。 General
Hazen took no notice of this report then； though well aware of its
existence。 Nearly a quarter of a century later； however； he
endeavored to justify his retention of the guns by trying to show
that his brigade was the first to reach the crest of Missionary
Ridge； and that he was therefore entitled to them。 This claim of
being the first to mount the ridge is made by other brigades than
Hazen's； with equal if not greater force； so the absurdity of his
deduction is apparent：
NOTE： In a book published by General Hazen in 1885； he endeavored to
show； by a number of letters from subordinate officers of his
command； written at his solicitation from fifteen to twenty years
after the occurrence； that his brigade was the first to mount
Missionary Ridge； and that it was entitled to possess these guns。
The doubtful character of testimony dimmed by the lapse of many years
has long been conceded； and I am content to let the controversy stand
the test of history； based on the conclusions of General Grant； as he
drew them from official reports made when the circumstances were
fresh in the minds of all。
General Grant says： 〃To Sheridan's prompt movement； the Army of the
Cumberland and the nation are indebted for the bulk of the capture of
prisoners； artillery； and small…arms that day。 Except for his prompt
pursuit； so much in this way would not have been accomplished。〃
General Thomas says： 〃We captured all their cannon and ammunition
before they could be removed or destroyed。 After halting a few
moments to reorganize the troops； who had become somewhat scattered
in the assault of the hill； General Sheridan pushed forward in
pursuit； and drove those in his front who had escaped capture across
Chickamauga Creek。〃
REPORT OF COLONEL FRANCIS T。 SHERMAN； COMMANDING FIRST BRIGADE：
〃When within ten yards of the crest； our men seemed to be thrown
forward as if by some powerful engine； and the old flag was planted
firmly and surely on the last line of works of the enemy； followed by
the men； taking one battery of artillery。〃
REPORT OF COLONEL MICHAEL GOODING； TWENTY…SECOND INDIANA：
。。。。〃I pushed men up to the second line of works as fast as possible；
on and on； clear to the top； and over the ridge they went； to the
hollow beyond； killing and wounding numbers of the enemy as we
advanced； and leaving the rebel battery in our rear。 We captured
great numbers of prisoners； and sent them to the rear without guards；
as we deemed the pursuit of the enemy of greater importance。。。。
〃I cannot give too much praise to Captain Powers； Company 〃H；〃
Lieutenant Smith； Company 〃K；〃 Lieutenant Gooding； Company 〃A；〃 and
Second Lieutenant Moser； Company 〃G；〃 for their assistance； and for
the gallant manner in which they encouraged their men up the side of
the mountain； and charging the enemy's works right up to the muzzles
of their guns。〃
REPORT OF COLONEL JASON MARSH； SEVENTY…FOURTH ILLINOIS：
。。。。〃The first on the enemy's works； and almost simultaneously； were
Lieutenant Clement； Company 〃A；〃 Captain Stegner； Company 〃I；〃
Captain Bacon； 〃Company 〃G；〃 and Captain Leffingwell； with some of
their men。 The enemy was still in considerable force behind their
works； but； for some unaccountable reason； they either fled or
surrendered instantly upon the first few of our men reaching them
not even trying to defend their battery； which was immediately
captured by Captain Stegner。〃
REPORT OF LIEUTENANT…COLONEL PORTER C。 OLSON； THIRTY…SIXTH ILLINOIS：
。。。。〃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。〃
REPORT OF COLONEL JOHN Q。 LANE：
。。。。〃At the house known as Bragg's headquarters； the enemy were
driven from three guns； which fell into our hands。〃
REPORT OF BRIGADIER…GENERAL G。 D。 WAGNER； SECOND BRIGADE：
。。。。〃I ordered the command to storm the ridge； bringing up the
Fifteenth Indiana and Ninety…seventh Ohio； which had not yet been
engaged； although suffering from the enemy's artillery。 The result
is a matter of history； as we gained the ridge； capturing artillery；
prisoners； and small…arms； to what amount； however； I do not know； as
we pushed on after the enemy as soon as I had re…formed the command 。
。。。。Captain Tinney； with his usual gallantry； dashed up the line with
the first troops； and with the aid of an orderly （George Dusenbury；
Fifteenth Indiana）； turned the loaded gun of the enemy on his
retreating ranks。〃
REPORT OF CAPTAIN BENJAMIN F。 HEGLER； FIFTEENTH INDIANA：
。。。。〃Our captures amounted to prisoners not counted； representing
many different regiments； several pieces of artillery； and some
wagons。〃
REPORT OF LIEUTENANT…COLONEL ELIAS NEFF； FORTIETH INDIANA：
。。。。〃As the regiment reached the top of the ridge and swept for。
ward； the right passed through； without stopping to take possession；
the battery at General Bragg's headquarters that had fired so
venomously during the whole contest。〃
REPORT OF LIEUTENANT…COLONEL J。 MOORE； FIFTY…EIGHTH INDIANA：
。。。。〃In passing to the front from Missionary Ridge； we saw several
pieces of artillery which had been abandoned by the enemy； though I
did not leave any one in charge of them。〃
REPORT OF