Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 22.djvu/80

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68 Southern Historical Society Papers.

carried by such brave men. The way that brigade and its com- mander acted under fire impressed me, and I have often wondered who the officer was."

One of the officers present was able to tell to whom General Mills' tribute of bravery applied. He was General Carman. After a care- ful examination of the map, General Carman decided that the bri- gade was that of General John M. Loomis, composed of the Twenty- sixth and Ninetieth Illinois and the Twelfth and One Hundredth Indiana. General Loomis, General Carman said, is, or was until quite recently, a resident of Chicago.

The other story of Chattanooga related to the wonderful assault upon Missionary Ridge. It was told by General Joe Reynolds, who was on the staff of General Thomas. This officer pointed out on the map the elevation in front of Chattanooga where General Grant and General Thomas took position to see the grand advance of the divisions against the Confederate works at the bottom of the ridge. Back of these works rose the precipitous front of the ridge. It was Grant's plan of battle to have Sherman take the north end of the ridge and sweep toward the center, while Hooker took the south end and advanced from the opposite direction. While both of these movements were being executed, the army of Thomas, on the plain of Chattanooga, was to advance to the foot of the ridge, and carry- ing the works there, was to await orders, and move up to the sum- mit at the proper time.

"Grant and Thomas," said General Reynolds, "watched the ad- vance through their glasses. They exchanged very few words. The long lines were in full view to us in the rear, as they moved forward toward the works at the foot of the ridge. They were also in full view of the Confederates on the summit of the ridge. We saw the Confederates swarm out of their lower works, and retreat up the ridge as our lines approached. Then, instead of stopping when they had reached the foot of the ridge, our troops went right on up the steep hill, along the summit of which lay General Bragg's army.

"When the advance of our forces passed over the works below, and began to climb the steep, General Grant lowered his glasses and turning to General Thomas, asked:

" ' What does that mean ? '

" General Thomas turned to me and said:

" ' General Grant wishes to know what that means.'

" I had already recognized the command which had gone over the