Camp of 5^th Ohio Voltr Inftry

Wauhatchie Valley, Tennessee

8 P.M., Decr 24^th 1863

           

My Dear Friend

                                    I received yours of the 15^th inst yesterday. I was surprised to hear that my last letter had not reached this destination. I wrote you on the 29^th and John on the 28^th of Novr. just after the late battles. as you say you have not heard from me since I left the R.R. I will go back to that time and tell you what has happened since then. Know then that the 2^nd Division of the 12^th Corps was ordered to the front soon after Grant's arrival and the 1^st Division staid to guard the R.R. from Murfreesboro to Bridgeport. So in the latter part of Octr we picked up our traps and started with our Brigade for Bridgeport and arrived in time to find that the other part of the Divis consisting of two Brigades had crossed the river and in company with the 11^th Corps had gone for Chattanooga in charge of "Fighting Joe" we immediately took the trail and followed as fast as mud, rain, and mountains would permit. a two day march brought us in sight of Lookout M^t along the base of which our course lay. we camped until dark and then made our way in silence along under the shadow of the great ridge for the moon was rising on the opposite side. the watch fires of the enemy were strung along the precipitous side like so many beads. the rebs must have seen us as we marched through the clearings our arms glancing in the light of the moon which began to climb over the crest of the Mt. although they did not molest us I felt a little easier as we past the outpost of our picket. on arriving at our Divis we found that it and a portion of the 11^th corps had come out first best in a battle with Hoods Rebel Divis. from Lookout on the night of their arrival. the 2^nd &3^rd Brigades of our Divis suffered in contending against a surprise and greatly superior numbers. after our arrival Hookers whole command were extended from raccoon Mountain on our right to the bank of the river on which our left rested, and where then was a pontoon across the river to Moccasin Point. in this position we faced Lookout M^t and covered the approach to the river from the valley. after establishing our lines, we strengthened them by putting up strong breastworks and cutting all the timber in our front for a distance of about 1000 yds. Every man was on duty every day and sometimes at night, until it was finished, and during all the time the men were living on ½ and often ¼ rations. for a time the rebs on Lookout Point would fire on anything in the shape of a wagon or body of troops, but being so far above us they could not direct their fire with any certainty, and they gave up in disgust and tried their hand on our friends on the other side after we were fixed for them we all wished they might be induced to attack us. if they had done so, they would have been up to their eyes in business before they had got back again. after all this we had a short season of rest and then active operations were commenced by the arrival of Shermans Corps which came through the valley past our camp and went on over the river. the 11^th Corps also went that way leaving us alone in the works. a few days more and the growling of distant artillery on our left told us that we might expect something to turn up pretty soon

 

            on the 22^nd our Rg^t was placed on picket along Lookout Creek at the base of the western slope of the M^t the creek is narrow and deep and formed the dividing line of the two armies. Each one was desirous of keeping the other from crossing. And to be secure the pickets were placed on either bank. this brought them within a hundred feet of each other and although talking was forbidden there were several ways adopted of exchanging little polite attentions. papers, canteens, jack knives, pipes &c were thrown across. The rebs had plenty tobacco and our boys were short of the weed. So their Rgt would pass a plug over to us, and we would pass the same back after the manner of "ye Indian and ye Calumet", with this difference, that ours was a plug instead of a pipe of peace. "Our friends the enemy" were so polite as to present arms to our Officer of the day as he went his rounds along the line. But there came a change. on the night of the 23^rd the last Division of Shermans corps under Osterhouse came down the valley and in the morning were prepared to operate with our Divis in the assault about to be made on the mountain. our Brigade from Osterhouse came to where we were posted and made an effort to fix abridge across the creek, with the intention of crossing as we thought. our boys told the Rebs to "lite out" (as they express it) before they were fired on, as our skirmishers were coming up to begin the work. the rebs staid not upon the order of their going but went anyplace to get out of the way some into the little holes dug for the purpose of shelter and others back to their reserve in the rifle pits. the skirmishing soon began, the enemy became alarmed, and brought their reserves up and filed into their rifle pits. brisk firing ensued and was kept up while our pioneers were bringing up timber for the bridge. from what I saw, I made up my mind that all this was only a feint on our part to cover some more important move, and so it turned out. our Divis had gone up the creek and crossed and moved by the flank up the hill until the right reached the perpendicular wall of rock supporting the top. then the lines moved by the front into line of battle, and marched for-ward covered by skirmishers, and sweeping the whole western slope clean with the "b[?]som of destruction". on they went into and through the feeble line which was formed to oppose them with a cheer which rang out far and wide from the lowering clouds which enveloped them. I was quite as much astonished as the rebs on the other side, who appeared disgusted with the situation. just then four batteries of 20 lb Parrots let fly from as many different directions on them. every time the rebs tried to stand, the batteries would plant a few "rotten shot" among them and away they would go again. our troops kept pushing for the lower point which they gained capturing two guns and about 2000 prisoners, several stand of colors, and a great many small arms. some of our fellows immediately crossed the creek and brought out their friends who had got into their holes when the firing commenced. a large force was then thrown across from Osterhouses Divis to support ours considerable fighting continued during the fore part of the night, but our lines were so strongly supported that the enemy made no impression on them. In the afternoon Gen^l Butterfield detailed 7 comps of our Reg^t to construct a bridge and the other 3 compys were detailed on the M^t by Gen^l Geary as guard for the prisoners. we worked all night and in the morning we were tired, wet and sleepy, but we forgot this when as we peered through the clear gray light to learn the cause of the cheering which we heard, we saw far up on the rocky upper point the flag of the 8^th Kentucky waving in the morning breeze. Just then the sun came up the sun of Chattanooga and his first rays poured a flood of light over it. happy omen I thought. and Longellows "Excelsior" came back to me with the scene /

 

we thought that the worst part of the work on Lookout was to be done yet, when this pleasant picture, told us that the enemy had retired from the crest during the darkness, and the mountain was now ours. of the doings on the 25^th you have already been informed through the papers (the paper I reced from you contained the first account I read of it.) our Divis operated with Hooker on the right of Mission Ridge. our Rg^t was detained guarding at the bridge and Hookers Hd. Qrs. I climbed Lookout—a feat I had long wished to accomplish—to see how things were progressing on the other side. I was just in time to see the preparation for, and the grand assault, which carried Mission Ridge. I knew it was the "biggest thing" I ever saw, and then and there made a note of it in my mind as such but from my high perch how little it all looked. A very small picture in a very large frame, the great eternal hills towering up on every side looked down with calm indifference on the hosts of pigmies which were contending for their possession. one felt as if he could clear Mission Ridge at a hop, step, and jump, or take a platoon out of one of the advancing columns (which going at the double quick seemed to crawl) and put it in his pocket. I watched the advancing line, saw the preliminary artillery work, the inevitable introductory overture on all such great occasions, then the spattering of the skirmish, then the roar of the enemys guns as he concentrates their fire and tries to beat back the dark wave which he knows will soon be on him. up goes the line, and soon the long roll of musketry is heard, which tells us that the "Doughboys" (i.e. Infantry) are at work , and that the end, whatever it may be, is near. a couple of caissons explode throwing a cloud of white smoke into the air. the deep boom and white puffs of cannon grow less and less and then there is only one or two that blaze away spitefully. finally, they are quiet, a short stillness and a prolonged cheer, and I turn away satisfied. I need no glass to tell me that is our flag flying over Fort Breckinridge. I know it, and the same kindly sun which saluted the flag in the morning on "Point Lookout" has seen it planted on the crest of Mission Ridge, now sets for another day on the scene of strife, and forever for many a hero that fell there.

 

            Our Divis went as far as Ringgold where it had a fight in which our Brigade lost heavy our Rg^t was not in it. the Divis is now in its old quarters and fixed up pretty comfortable. I hear that we move in a day or two for the rear. I cant tell exactly where yet, a great many of the old troops are reenlisting, 7 Rg^ts have gone out of our Divis. I think ours wont go, at least they say so. I hear firing to night to the east of Chattanooga. it is moon light and I suppose some cavalry are trying their hand at the outposts. I met with an accident a few days ago in scoring a piece of timber for a stockade. the axe glanced and struck my leg. I was kept pretty quiet for a few days, but I am happy to state that I am able to get on end again. My valise is at Murfreesboro all right. I will get it if I go near there. Many thanks for your numerous favors

 

            I forgot to tell you my views on this campaign when "Joe Hooker" came here Bragg had the "Army of the Cumberland" wound up like a corkscrew and if Joe had not opened communication it would have been forced to fall back from C. and there is no telling when it would have stopped. you can imagine the result, if such a thing had happened. now the tables are turned, and I think we are able to keep them in that position

 

I wish you a Merry Christmas

James Clarke

 

To Mr. E. Preston                  

 

Latest. I have 2 gallons of Kraut and an unlimited supply of "speck" for dinner tomorrow

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