In Their Own Words Excerpt

Excerpt from In Their Own Words – Col. David Ireland and the 137^{th NY}

^{From page 76,

Owego Times, Dec. 17, 1863

Battle Field Ringgold, Ga.

Dear Times: Ere this reaches you, by
mail, the fact of our victories over the enemies of this Union, will have glad
the hearts of every patriot, and lover of his country. Lookout Mountain was
considered the fort of the rebels in the west, and a position impregnable
against any attack by our army. The fight of Wauhatchie, had secured to us, the
right to stay in Lookout Valley, which also, secured other advantages, to the
besieged army of Gen. Rosencrans, at Chattanooga, such as rations, and a passage
for the coming of Gen. Sherman’s troops, besides getting a position on the left
of the rebel lines. The height of the mountain is said to be eighteen hundred
feet above the level. Much too high for artillery, save at long range. This
fact, we learned, on the day after the Wauhatchie battle in the night, for as
day dawned, they could look down upon us, and see our position and movements.
Soon their artillery opened fire on us with shells, and then with solid shot,
but we moved not, for they were powerless for harm, the shells bursting too
high, and the shot going over us, for they could not depress their guns
sufficiently at shot range. Hence, for over three weeks we have lived under the
guns of Lookout, slept sweetly on our pole beds, sung, prayed and preached the
word, to as brave a band of patriots as the world ever saw. The morning of
November 23d, found the plans of Gen. Grant perfected, for an attack upon the
lines of Gen. Bragg. Gen. Sherman was sent up the river to mass his forces on
the right of Mission Ridge, and turn if possible the right flank of the enemy.
The move was a success, ere the light of the twenty-fourth scattered the shades
of night, which had spread her sable curtain over all nature, the 2d Division,
12th Corps, was in motion, for a flank movement on the rebels left, and to do
this, Lookout Mountain must be taken. Many thought, that our brave Gen. Geary
was about to lead his Division, where they would be whipped for the first time,
in battle. Under cover of a high ridge, at the base of the mountain, they
effected a crossing over Lookout Creek, unseen by rebel pickets. The Third
Brigade was commanded by Colonel David Ireland, and took the advance, following
up the slope of the mountain at right angles with the valley, until within rifle
range of rebel sharp shooters who sat above them, on the clefts of the rocks
picking off our men. The Brigade was now formed in line of battle, with portions
of the First Brigade on its left, and resting on the bank of Lookout Creek. The
order was to move down, along the mountain to the point, and drive the rebels
from their strong position. It was an hour of great moment to the nation. It was
the movement that tries the patriot, and the brave. It was a period when the
soldiers looked at certain death to many, and thought of ones distant, who they
might never see again. With many it was the hour silent prayer. The position
gained, the bugle note is sounded, “Forward”.

The side of the mountain, was not only steep, but covered
with large stones and large rocks, as large as houses sitting on top of the
ground, just as if they were set down for a natural defense accompanied with
deep hollows at different points, affording a fine protection to sharp shooters
on either side. Our advance soon encountered the rebel pickets, who fired, and
fell back upon their reserves, but only to meet our advancing columns, who were
moving continu-ously, but firmly in the work of death and victory. Colonel
Ireland saw all at once, from the nature of the ground, with the rocks as hiding
places for the rebels, that the only way to carry the point of the mountain, and
let our glorious old flag float from its peak in triumph, was by a continuous
charge. Hence, he ordered the men to fix bayonets, and move forward at double
quick storming their first line of breast works, which had the effect to throw
the rebel lines in confusion, when a general stampede ensued, our men pursuing
with shouts of victory, and the waving of regimental colors over hundreds of
prisoners, cannon and small arms, thrown away by the fleeing “Johnies” in
their haste to escape.
Such was the excitement for our brave men in the chase, that
they forgot danger, they threw down their guns, and picked up stones, and
shouting to the fleeing rebels, “Halt!” stoning them as if they were a
flock of sheep. The victory was complete, and was witnessed by many of the
Generals, and among them was the hero of the West, General Grant. And as the
flag of the Third Brigade swept around the point of the mountain, followed by
the stars and stripes of the 137 Reg. N. Y., in full view of Chattanooga, it is
said that Generals swung their hats, accompanied with cheers that went the whole
of our lines, to the shouts of victory, from the right to the left. – Many
officers and men in the Brigade have made their marks in this victory, high on
the page of bravery. Among them was Colonel Ireland, who, with drawn sword
shouted to his command “come on my braves,” with such a leader, who is able to
infuse his own brave spirit among the troops, in the hour of a nations peril, is
the man, who is worthy to command, and I hope the government will reward such
bravery and ability with a star upon his shoulders, and merited promotions to
others. The list of killed and wounded of the 137th, I have previously sent.

E. F. Roberts,

Chaplain 137th N. Y.}