HQ, Third Division, 15th Army Corps
Near Chattanooga, Tenn.
November 30, 1863

General Matthies was ordered to proceed to Burnsville the same day, which point he reached at 11 a.m., the duty assigned him being to guard the railroad then being repaired to Iuka. I remained at Glendale with First and Second Brigades until October 17, when, in compliance with orders, I marched to Burnsville, reaching that point at 12 m.

At this point received 100 wagons to organize a supply train for my command. Marched from Burnsville to Iuka, October 19, arriving at 3 p.m., where I turned over to Second Division, in Compliance with orders from Major-General Sherman, 50 wagons.

October 20, ordered to organize supply and ammunition train and move across Bear Creek on the 21st. Wagons were not furnished by the corps assistant quartermaster until 11 p.m. of the 20th. Most of the wagons, mules, and harness supplied were unserviceable, rendering our future marches very difficult. October 21, moved across Bear Creek, Ala., remaining in camp until the 23d, when we moved to Dickson's Station, 4 miles from camp on Bear Creek, leaving one regiment, the Fourth Minnesota, to protect the bridge across Bear Creek, and the pioneer corps to assist Colonel Flad, commanding engineer regiment, in repairing railroad.

October 29, received orders from Major-General Sherman to march to Chickasaw, where we arrived at 1 p.m. Commenced crossing the Tennessee River October 30, at 10 a.m. The Second Brigade, Colonel Raum commanding, succeeded in getting across, and was ordered to move out from Waterloo to Gravelly Springs, and there await the remainder of the command. Owing to the limited means for crossing the river, the First and Third Brigades did not get over until November 1. I marched with First Brigade and supply train, leaving Waterloo at 3 p.m., arriving at or near Gravelly Springs at 9 p.m., where I learned that Colonel Raum had been ordered forward to Florence by Major-General Sherman.

November 2, marched to Florence, leaving Third Brigade to follow. Arrived at Florence at 2 p.m., and ordered Second Brigade to move out to Shoal Creek, a distance of 7 miles, with orders to march early next day. November 3, marched to Second Creek, distance 20 miles. November 4, marched to Rogersville, distance 4 miles, where we came up with the Fourth Division, which was in advance and unable to cross Elk River. The brigades of my command closed up at this point; moved out on Pulaski road at 12 m.; arrived at Anderson's Creek at 4 p.m. The Second Brigade still in advance was ordered to camp on Sugar Creek.

November 5, moved from Anderson's Creek at 5 a.m., reached Sugar Creek, distance 6 miles, at 7.30 a.m. Second Brigade unable to move, Fourth Division having the road. Left Sugar Creek at 11 a.m., and arrived at Gilbertsborough at 3 p.m.

November 6, marched at 6 a.m., arriving at Brown's Mills, Richland Creek, at 11 a.m.; distance, 9 miles.

November 7, moved forward at 6 a.m. in direction of Fayetteville, and camped at 4 p.m. on Bradshaw Creek.

November 8, marched to Cane Creek; distance, 12 miles.

November 10, marched to Gum Springs, arriving at 3.45 p.m.; distance, 14 miles.

November 11, moved at 6 a.m., arriving near Winchester at 5 p.m. and camped; distance, 22 miles.

November 13, moved at 6 a.m.; reached University Switch at 3.30 p.m. and camped; distance, 16 miles.

November 14, moved from camp at 6 a.m. and camped on Sweeden's Creek at 4 p.m.

November 15, moved from camp at 7 a.m. and arrived at Bridgeport at 11.30 a.m.; distance, 9 miles. Remained in camp until the 18th, when, in compliance with orders received on the night of the 17th from Major-General Sherman, I marched with all the supplies I could get (no forage to be had), leaving our camp equipage and extra baggage. The command moved in the direction of Chattanooga, marched 11 miles, and went into camp.

November 20, marched to Brown's Ferry. First Brigade crossed and encamped. I reported to Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant, and was ordered to move my command up on the Dallas road, about 4 miles above Chattanooga, and go into camp in the valley near the Tennessee River before daylight, which was accomplished, although the Second Brigade was 6 miles in the rear. Remained in camp until the night of the 23d of November, when, in compliance with orders received from Major-General Sherman, I moved, at 12 o'clock, to the bank of the Tennessee River, nearly opposite the mouth of East Chickamauga Creek, in readiness to cross the river in pontoon-boats.

At about 1.30 a.m. on the 24th, the boats arrived, and the First Brigade, followed by the Third and Second Brigades, crossed in perfectly good order. Upon reaching the opposite bank, in compliance with instructions previously received, Colonel Alexander, commanding First Brigade, deployed the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. J. E. Tourtellotte commanding, as skirmishers, so as to cover the brigade front, while the remainder of the First and Third Brigades intrenched themselves as rapidly as possible, so that by daylight, when the Second Brigade had crossed, the whole command was perfectly secure behind a good line of works. Daylight revealed a second ridge about 500 yards in advance of the first line. I ordered the command forward, and they again intrenched themselves. At this point Colonel Tourtellotte reported to his brigade commander the enemy's cavalry picket taken by his skirmishers. The Fourth Division having crossed the river, and taken the position assigned it on my right, I withdrew the Second Brigade, formed in column of regiments, to protect the right flank, and placed them in rear of my line. At about 1 p.m. I received orders to advance my column, formed by division. The skirmishers advanced steadily without much opposition until they gained the summit on the left of Missionary Ridge, where they met with quite spirited opposition, but soon drove the enemy's skirmishers from the ground. The First and Third Brigades were formed in two lines, the Second in reserve, and ordered to intrench themselves. One section of the Sixth Wisconsin Battery was ordered up to the hill, but owing to the poor condition of the horses it was found impossible to get it up without the assistance of the infantry. A detail of 200 men from the First Brigade soon had the guns in position on the right of our line. These dispositions being made, about 5 a.m., in compliance with orders from Major-General Sherman, and in anticipation of an attack through the valley at the base of the ridge, I moved down with the Second and Third Brigades and placed them under cover of the woods, ready to act in any emergency that circumstances might require.

I remained in this position, without receiving any orders, until 11 a.m. of the 25th, when Brigadier-General Ewing, commanding Fourth Division, on my right, sent to me for one brigade to enable him to close a gap in the valley, not covered by his men. Fearing that the enemy might attack at that point, I at once ordered the Third Brigade, Brigadier-General Matthies commanding, to report to General Ewing. An hour later General Ewing sent for another brigade when I promptly ordered out the Second Brigade. Colonel Raum commanding, to report to him. Following I found the Second Brigade placed in position on the right and about 20 paces in front of General Ewing's line of intrenchments, covering a position of his (General Ewing's) command to the extent of one-half of the Second Brigade front. I at once called upon General Ewing for an explanation of the disposition of my command, and reported to Major-Gen-eral Sherman, who approved of the disposition. I learned that General Matthies had been ordered to support Colonel Loomis, who had advanced to a point up the valley, opposite the tunnel. I at once rode out to the front with my staff officers to examine the position of the enemy, and felt confident that he would not abandon his position to attack us in the valley, and supposing General Matthies to be supporting Colonel Loomis, I sent him an order by Captain Lydick, one of my aides, not to advance until he received orders from me. The enemy at this time were moving in the direction of the center in great force, and had four pieces of artillery in position, commanding Tunnel Hill. At about 2 p.m. I saw troops ascending Tunnel Hill, which I then supposed to be Colonel Loomis' brigade, and at the same time discovered the enemy had about-faced on the ridge, and were moving back to Tunnel Bill in solid column. I at once sent one of my aides, Captain Osborne, to inform General Ewing that the enemy were massing in large force on Tunnel Bill, and at the same time was informed that it was General Matthies' brigade that was ascending the hill. Being informed that the Eleventh Army Corps were making an attack in the rear, I at once ordered Colonel Raum to the support of General Matthies, who had now nearly reached the summit followed by Colonel Raum, and were contesting the ground for nearly an hour, when the enemy, heavily massed, charged upon our lines, at the same time bringing a gun within 200 yards of our right flank, and discharged several rounds of grape into ranks, which compelled the two brigades to fall back with heavy loss.

The Tenth Missouri Infantry, Colonel Deimling commanding, continued to engage the enemy with effect, until they were withdrawn. It is believed that all our wounded were recovered, although some of them not until next morning.

November 26, in compliance with orders received from Major-General Blair, I followed the Eleventh Army Corps in pursuit of the enemy, arriving at Graysville, Ga., November 28; nothing of interest transpired except the capture of a few stragglers, 28 in number; reported to the provost-marshal. I could pursue no farther for want of supplies, and was ordered to return to camp near Chattanooga. There were 480 stand of arms of various caliber, together with accouterments, picked up on Tunnel Hill, and turned over to the ordnance officer at Chattanooga.

Our burial parties report 107 rebels buried on the hill, from which it will be seen that their casualties were larger than ours, which are 89 killed, 288 wounded, and 122 missing (see detailed report(*) forwarded). Twenty-five of our wounded reported have died in hospital since we left Chattanooga. And while rejoicing at our success over the enemy, we sympathize with the bereaved at home, trusting that the time will soon come when such sacrifice of life for the maintenance of our country and flag will be no longer required.

I am much indebted to Brig. Gen. C L. Matthies, commanding Third Brigade, Col. J. I. Alexander, commanding First Brigade, and Col. G. B. Raum, commanding Second Brigade, as well as to the field and line officers of the division, for their hearty co-operation, and to the men for their cheerful compliance with all orders; their endurance amid the discomforts of an active campaign, without food, at times during forty-eight hours, without a murmur, bespeaks for them the highest consideration as soldiers.

Col. J. I. Alexander's long service and soldierly qualities entitle him to the highest consideration of the honorable Secretary of War, to whom I respectfully recommend him for promotion. Also, to my staff, Capt. M. Rochester, assistant adjutant-general; Capts. M. II. Lydick and S. M. Budlong; Lieuts. C. L. White and O. Lovell, all of whom sustained their previous reputation won on the fields of Don-elson, Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion's Hill, and Vicksburg, for the intrepid and efficient manner in which they discharged their duties.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN E. SMITH,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.