our beneficent Father, who dwelleth in the heavens, and I recommend too that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverse Major Jones, commanding the Seventeenth ber next as a day of thanksgiving and prayer to Indiana, the oldest regiment in the volunteer service, won laurels whenever and wherever sent. Captain Lilly, commanding Eighteenth Indiana battery, for his energy in keeping up with the command at all times, and for the handsome manner in which he paid his respects to the ene-ness and disobedience, commend to his tender my whenever called on, deserves especial men tion here. The total loss in killed and wounded in my command is ninety-six. I am, Lieutenant, very respectfully, Doc. 182. PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S PROCLAMATION. THE year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful Providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to invite and provoke the aggression of foreign States, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theatre of military conflict, while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. The needful diversion of wealth and strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship. The axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made by the camp, the siege, and the battle-field, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human council hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverentially, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart the last Thursday of Novem care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the eightyeighth. By the President. W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State. Doc. 183. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND: You have made a grand and successful campaign; you have driven the rebels from Middle Tennessee. You crossed a great mountain range, placed yourselves on the banks of a broad river, crossed it in the face of a powerful opposing army, and crossed two other great mountain ranges at the only practicable passes, some forty miles between extremes. You concentrated in the face of superior numbers; fought the combined armies of Bragg, which you drove from Shelbyville to Tullahoma, of Johnston's army from Mississippi, and the tried veterans of Longstreet's corps, and for two days held them at bay, giving them blow for blow, with heavy interest. When the day closed, you held the field, from which you withdrew in the face of overpowering numbers, to occupy the point for which you set out-Chattanooga. You have accomplished the great work of the campaign; you hold the key of East-Tennessee, of Northern Georgia, and of the enemy's mines of coal and nitre. Let these achievements console you for the regret you experience that arrivals of fresh hostile troops forbade you remaining on the field to renew the battle; for the right of burying your gal lant dead, and caring for your brave companions who lay wounded on the field. The losses you have sustained, though heavy, are slight, considering the odds against you, and the stake you have won. You hold in your hands the substantial fruits of a victory, and deserve, and will receive the honors and plaudits of a grateful nation, which asks nothing of even those who have been fighting us but obedience to the Constitution and laws established for our own common benefit. The General Commanding earnestly begs every officer and soldier of this army to unite with him in thanking Almighty God for his favors to us. He presents his hearty thanks and congratulations to all the officers and soldiers of this command for their energy, patience, and perseverance and the undaunted courage displayed by those who fought with such unflinching resolution. Neither the history of this war, nor probably the annals of any battle, furnish a loftier example of obstinate bravery and enduring resistance to superior numbers-when troops, having exhausted their ammunition, resorted to the bayonet, many times, to hold their positions, against such odds-as did our left and centre, comprising troops from all the corps, on the afternoon of the twentieth of September, at the battle of Chickamauga. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-General Commanding. Doc. 184. BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA.* REPORT OF MAJOR-GENERAL CRITTENDEN HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FIRST ARMY CORPS, Bridgeport, Shellmound, and Battle Creek. Should Chattanooga be evacuated, Hazen and Wagner were to cross the river and occupy the place, and close down upon our left. Colonel Minty, with his brigade of cavalry, and Colonel Wilder, with his brigade of mounted infantry, were to cooperate with Hazen and Wagner. September 1.-My command all in motion. General Wood and his command arrived at Jasper, General Palmer within three miles of Jasper, and General Van Cleve within five miles of Dunlap. September 20.-Received orders to cross the river with one brigade at Jasper Crossing, and one at Battle Creek; other part of the command to follow as soon as the way is opened. Colonel Buell's brigade.-One division marched at dark to Shellmound, where he crossed the river in flats during the night. September 3.-General Wood with his other brigade (Hooker's) moved down early this morning to Shellmound, and was across the river by eight P.M., having been delayed till two P.M. by General Reynolds's train. Colonel Grove and his brigade (Palmer's division) moved down early this morning to Battle Creek, but were unable to secure the ferry, being used all day by General Brannan's division. General Graft and his brigade, Palmer's division, was therefore ordered to Shellmound, and he following close on General Wood, succeeded in crossing his command by four A. M. on Monday. General Van Cleve, with his two brigades, arSIR: In obedience to directions from Depart-rived at Jasper, and went into camp to await the ment Headquarters, dated twenty-fifth ultimo, requiring me to forward as soon as practicable a report of the operations of my command during the late engagements, including a brief history of its movements from the time of crossing the Tennessee River up to the beginning of the battle, I have the honor to report: 1. The movements of the Twenty-first army corps, from the time of its crossing the Tennessee River, terminating on the nineteenth ultimo, when the battle of Chickamauga opened. crossing. Received from the General Commanding orders for my movements and position after crossing the river, namely: the road marked on the map as good wagon road to Taylor's. The movement to be completed on the evening of the fourth. and Whiteside, where I was to post one regiment To move up the valley of Running Water Creek and send one division along the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad to the Trenton road, and to push forward as near to Chattanooga as practicable, and threaten the enemy in that direction. The remainder of the command to occupy a posi August 31.-My command, stationed in Se-tion near the junction of the Murphy Valley road, quatchie Valley, at Pikeville, Dunlap's, Thurman, respectively, excepting General Wagner's brigade, First division, opposite Chattanooga, and General Ilazen at Hoe's Tavern, the latter fifteen miles September 4.-At twenty minutes past three north of Wagner, and both in Tennessee Valley. My command has been thus stationed since the A., received word from General Graft that his brigade was all over. Moved General Van Cleve nineteenth of August, having left Manchester, at once, and at one P.M. moved headquarters to Tennessee, on the sixteenth of August, crossing Shellmound, which crossed before night. Genthe mountains at three different points, in obedi-eral Palmer succeeded in crossing with his own ence to orders from Department Headquarters, at half-past twelve A.M. of the sixteenth. quarter-past two P.M. I received your orders of the thirtieth, dated thirty minutes past twelve P.M., to move my entire command, except the brigades of Generals Hazen and Wagner, as soon as practicable, down the Sequatchie Valley, and to supply myself with every thing necessary for an active campaign. The orders further directed me to cross my trains at Bridgeport, and my troops at See Docs. pp. 217, 362, and 409, ante. At a brigade at Battle Creek to-day. Thus the whole command was over the river. September 5.-At thirty minutes past two P.M., after having the command organized and in position, and with all of the ammunition and most of the transportation up, troops all moved out light to Whiteside. General Wood in the advance, General Palmer centre, and General Van Cleve' rear, taking with them their ammunition trains. Regimental and supply trains to move up at five P.M. to-morrow. September 6.-Road up Running Water Creek rough but passable. At thirty minutes past nine A.M. arrived at junction of Murphy Valley and Nicajack road, and encamped there as ordered. Generals Palmer and Van Cleve and their divisions following us, and General Wood and his division pursuing road up Running Water Creek, and encamping seven miles from Chattanooga, reporting that the enemy was close before him in force. September 7.-Colonel Harker, with his brigade, made a very satisfactory reconnoissance to spur of Lookout Mountain, drove the enemy's pickets and light advance two miles, and returned by dark, believing the enemy in force in his front. September 8.-Gave orders to make two reconnoissances to-morrow morning, the one up Lookout Mountain, via Nicajack Trace, and for which General Beatty and his brigade was detailed; the other up same mountain to Summertown, for which Colonel Gross and three regiments was detailed, both to unite, if practicable, on top of the mountain, and to start on or before day to-morrow. September 9.-At twenty minutes past two A.M., received despatch from the General commanding the army, approving the two reconnoissances ordered, and directing that the whole command be held in readiness to move round the point of Lookout Mountain, to seize and occupy Chattanooga, in the event of its being evacuated. To move with caution, and not to throw my artillery around the point of Lookout Mountain till I am satisfied that the evacuation is not a ruse. Should I occupy Chattanooga, I am to order General Wagner and all his force across to join me. At forty-five minutes past five A.M., further despatches from Department Headquarters apprising me of the evacuation of Chattanooga, and ordering that the whole command be pushed forward at once with five days' rations, and to make a vigorous pursuit. This later despatch was too late to stop the reconnoissances ordered; but I lost no time in putting the balance of the command in motion, and arrived in Chattanooga with General Wood's division at thirty minutes past twelve P.M., having taken peaceable possession of same. It was nightfall, however, before the troops were well up, owing to the great delay in getting the artillery and ammunition train up this very rough and precipitous hill. It was thus impossible to make any pursuit to-day. I, however, ordered Generals Palmer and Van Cleve to turn off south after having passed the spur of Lookout Mountain, and encamp at Rossville, distant five miles from Chattanooga. General Wood I placed in command of the town. At fifteen minutes past two P.M., I received further instructions from Department Headquarters, ordering me to leave a light brigade to hold Chattanooga, and with the balance of my command to pursue the enemy with the utmost vigor. The line of march would probably lead me near Ringgold, and from thence in the vicinty of Dalton. September 10. - Generals Palmer and Van Cleve with their division ordered to make vigorous pursuit early this morning, marching on the road from Rossville to Ringgold, thence to Dalton. General Wood, after leaving one brigade at Chattanooga, to follow with his two brigades in the same direct line. General Wagner, with his brigade, having crossed during the night, was left as post commander. At four P.M., received report from General Palmer, that owing to want of supplies, troops only marched six miles, the advance encamping at Chickamauga Creek, five miles from Ringgold-the rear, General Wood, on Pea Vine Creek, two miles to the rear of advance. Also, that the enemy's cavalry was in his front, and that a portion of it had charged his advance, rode over four companies of the First Kentucky infantry, and captured fifty men and two officers, without any one on either side being hurt. At night received from the front several reports, going to show that the enemy was in force this side of Lafayette, and threatening to retake Chattanooga. September 11, at 1 A.M.-The General Commanding feeling uncertain about the position and strength of the enemy in our front, ordered me to procced to the front at once. Was misled by the guide and did not reach my command until six A.M.; and two of my orderlies on duty with Captain McCook in search of me, thinking I had taken the wrong road, were captured, he narrowly escaping. Early in the morning, Colonel Harker, with his brigade, was moved back to Rossville, and by night made a reconnoissance up the Rossville road as far as Gordon's Mills, driving squads of the enemy before him. At half-past two P.M. gave General Wood his orders through one of my staff, who received them in person from Department Headquarters to move his other brigade at once to Gordon's Mills to support Colonel Harker, and at five P.M. my staff-officer reported to me at Ringgold. My entire second and third divisions were then at Ringgold. General Hazen, with his brigade, having crossed the river yesterday, rejoined his division |(Palmer's) to-day. Colonel Deck, with second brigade, Van Cleve's division, (left at McMinnville to guard stores,) rejoined his command on the ninth. Your instructions received at this time, and dated a quarter-past nine A.M., were to move with the balance of my corps on the Chickamauga and Pea Vine Valley roads, keeping in view two objects: first to support General Thomas, in case the enemy is in force in the vicinity of Lafayette; or second, to move eastward and southward toward Rome, in case he has continued his retreat. Other verbal instructions received by my staff-officer urged upon me the importance of keeping my separate divisions in supporting distance of one another. At half-past eight A.M. I received your despatch of half-past three P.M., informing me that the enemy was in heavy force in the valley of Chattanooga, and instructing me to move my whole force across by the most available route, and as quickly as possible, to the Rossville and Lafayette road, to some defensible point between Gordon's Mills and 526 Shield's House, and to close Wood up with me or September 12.-Sent word early this morn- September 13.-In the morning, the Fourth United States cavalry, six hundred and fifty strong, reported to me for duty. The three divisions were put into position for defence. General Graft and Colonel Wilder sent out to reconnoitre on the left, the Fourth cavalry on the right, to McLemore's Cove, and General Van Cleve to the front and centre on Lafayette road. The latter only found the enemy, (cavalry with artillery,) who retired skirmishing a distance of three miles, when the brigade was halted, and soon after returned to camp. In this skirmish Captain Drury, Chief of artillery, Third division, was At half-past two P.M. reseverely wounded. ceived your despatches of twenty minutes past twelve and twenty-five minutes past two P.M., respectively, the former ordering me to post General Wood in a strong, defensible position at Gordon's Mills, for him to resist stoutly the enemy's advance, and in case of extremity, if Granger's forces (a division of infantry) has not arrived at Chattanooga, so as to support Wood at Rossville, and he (Wood) should be compelled to fall back further, he must take his position at a point guarding the road to Chattanooga and around the point of Lookout Mountain, and hold them at all hazards. To move the balance of my command during the evening and night to a position on Missionary Ridge, so as to cover the road along the valley of Chattanooga Creek, and to send Wilder with his command up Chattanooga Creek, and also that running up the valley of West Chickamauga Creek, to feel his way carefully, and who is to join General Thomas as soon as possible, the latter ordering me to hold myself in readiness to execute to-night the orders sent to me at twenty minutes past twelve to-day. September 30, at half-past six A. M.-Received despatch from Colonel Goddard, stating that it was the instruction of the G.neral Command- own. were September 18. At half-past ten A.M., General Wood, holding position on Chickamauga at Gordon's Mills, sent in word that a strong force of skirmishers was advancing on his left. Soon after another of the staff rode up, reporting his line very thin and asking for a brigade. At eleven A.M. a third staff-officer rode up, reporting At forty-five minutes past eleven an the enemy advancing on his right and on Van on the Cleve's left. orderly came, reporting that the enemy, infantry, cavalry, and artillery, were advancing Lafayette road; at the same moment General Van Cleve was moving up to General Wood's left, and General Palmer was ordered to take Van Cleve's position on Wood's right. At forty five minutes past three P.M., Colonel Wilder sent word that Colonel Minty with his cavalry, after being reenforced with two regiments of his is falling back; that the enemy is getting in his (Wilder's) rear, and that he is also falling back on Wood. No firing to be heard. In the after noon Palmer was ordered up to form on the left of Van Cleve's new position, on the line of the Chickamauga River, which from Gordon's Mills the left of my lines, about eleven A.M., I heard runs in an easterly direction, while the road to heavy cannonading about one and a half or two Chattanooga via Rossville is nearly north or miles to my left. Musketry firing began, and south. We hold the river at Gordon's Mills, but soon became so heavy that I was satisfied on our left the enemy's pickets were reported to the battle had commenced. For a moment I be between the road and the river. I was in- felt embarrassed. The General commanding the formed by the General Commanding that we also department had inquired of me several times if I occupied the bridge across the Chickamauga at could hold my position, and I knew the importReid's Mills with one brigade of infantry, situated ance to the movements of the army then going north-west of Gordon's Mills, and distant about on of my ability so to do. I was on the left and three and a half miles; and thus the space be-thrown forward, covering a movement by which tween the two mills was in a great measure open to the enemy. REPORT OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE TWENTY FIRST ARMY CORPS DURING THE ENGAGEMENTS OF CHICKAMAUGA RIVER, GEORGIA. the entire army was to pass in my rear, leaving me on the right, should the movement take place without interruption. I hesitated but for a moment as to whether I should weaken myself by sending aid to Major-General Thomas, who, having passed to my rear, was already engaged on my left. All being quiet on my front, I orFor continuation of my report of the move-dered Major-General Palmer to the support of ments of the Twenty-first army corps since Major-General Thomas. I at once informed the crossing the Tennessee River, and ending the General commanding the army of this movement, eighteenth ultimo, the day preceding the battle, | who approved of it in his note of twenty minutes I have now the honor to report the operations of past twelve P.M., when he informed me that from my command during the last engagements. It present appearance General Thomas will move in was four o'clock in the morning of the nineteenth echelon, his left advanced, threatening the before the last brigade of Major-General Palmer's enemy's right. At twenty minutes past eleven I division arrived at its position on the left of Bri- received a note from Captain Willard, Aid-degadier-General Van Cleve. During the evening Camp to Major-General Thomas, dated Mrs. Danand night of the eighteenth, my command was iels's house, September fifteenth, (intended for placed in position as directed by the General nineteenth,) forty-five minutes past ten, stating commanding the Department, the right resting that if another division can be spared it would be at Gordon's or Lee's Mills, and the left running well to send it up without any delay. At the north-easterly along the Chickamauga and the time of the receipt of this note I heard very road to Rossville. On the morning of the nine-heavy musketry in the direction of General teenth I rode to the extreme left of my line, and there being no appearance of the enemy in my front, at forty minutes past seven A.M. I ordered Colonel Gross, Major-General Palmer's division, with his brigade, then in reserve, to make a reconnoissance down the road, and in the direction of Reed's Mills, on the Chickamauga, to ascertain if the main road from Gordon's Mills to Rossville was clear, and if practicable to ascertain if Colonel McCook with his brigade held the bridge at Reed's Mills, from which direction I had just heard the report of four or five cannon. On arriving at this position I found all quiet. Colonel Wilder, with his command, supported by two regiments of Brigadier-General Van Cleve's division, being on the extreme left. I found Colonel Wilder in the edge of the woods, some one hundred and fifty yards west of the road leading to Rossville, his men dismounted and behind a breastwork of rails. It was here reported to me that the command of General Thomas had been heard passing in our rear toward Chattanooga. I immediately directed an officer to go to the rear until he came to the road on which these troops were passing, and to report at once the character of the country which intervened, the distance, etc. I remained until the officer returned, and reported all still being quiet. I rode rapidly to Department Headquarters with this information, which I thought important, and which I believed would be gladly heard by the Commanding General. I promptly returned, and on my arrival at Palmer, then advancing to the fight, and I at once sent Major Mendenhall, my Chief of artillery, and Colonel McKibbin, of General Rosecrans's staff, to see General Palmer, and learn particulars. They returned quickly without seeing him, having been halted and shot at by the enemy, which led me to believe that General Palmer was not only fighting in his front, but was also attacked in his rear, and perhaps surrounded. I at once despatched Lieutenant-Colonel Loder, my Inspector-General, and Colonel McKibbin to Department Headquarters, (which at this time had been moved to the Widow Glenn's, distant about a mile from my position,) to report facts, and ask permission to bring up General Van Cleve to support Major-General Palmer, as I was then well satisfied that the enemy was crossing the Chickamauga at several points, and at one near my position. During their absence I sent to General Van Cleve to move up where I then was stationed, and just at the time of his arrival Lieutenant-Colonel Loder returned with permission to send General Van Cleve in, which I immediately did. He brought with him but two brigades, leaving his Third brigade, Colonel Barnes, in position on the left of General Wood. At twelve м. I received your note of ten minutes past eleven A.M., ordering me to send Colonel Minty, with his cavalry brigade, to Chattanooga, and to report for orders at Widow Glenn's, which I at once complied with. I was then stationed in the woods in reserve. |