One Brigadier General’s perspective – Civil War Commemorative Half Dollar Coin

Today, the Civil War Commemorative Half Dollar Coin remembers the events of 152 years ago from one Brigadier General’s perspective.

The Battles of Chattanooga, published in 1886, included documents from the field of battle.

From his viewpoint, Brigadier General Charles Cruft wrote about the Battle of Missionary Ridge fought on November 25, 1863.

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At daylight on the morning of the 25th, my command lay along the crest of the mountain in the position heretofore indicated. A cessation of picket firing during the night confirmed by the best observation that could be made during the darkness, led to the belief that the enemy had evacuated the top of the mountain as well as the east slope of it, and his works in the valley upon the left of his line.

This result was anticipated by Major-General Hooker on the evening previous as the effect of the occupancy, and the holding of the crest. Arrangements therefore were made before the dawn of the day by Brigadier-General Whittaker and Colonel Grose to send a party from each brigade at daylight to endeavor to scale Lookout Point and plant the National flag upon it.

Volunteers from the 8th Kentucky (Colonel Sidney M. Barnes), and the 9th Indiana (Colonel I. B. C. Suman), started with a noble emulation to see which should first attain the summit and plant the National colors upon it, and make reconnaissance of the upper plateau of the mountain. The 8th Kentucky was the successful competitor for the honor.

As the morning sun arose, it discovered the National banner floating out on the mountain air from Lookout Point, and the soldiery below caught up a shout from the regiment on the summit which rang through the crags and valleys, and was borne to their comrades below, who were standing to arms behind the defensives of Chattanooga.

About half-past 8 o’clock a.m., the distant sound of artillery was heard in the direction of Missionary Ridge, which indicated the commencement of Major-General Sherman’s attack in that quarter, and prepared the troops upon the mountains to anticipate the scenes of the day.

About 10 o’clock, orders were received from Major-General Hooker for two regiments to be placed upon the point of the mountain, with instructions to entrench themselves and hold it at all hazards.

Under orders these regiments were also further instructed to make proper details to explore the late battle-field, bury the dead, and collect and secure all abandoned arms and property, and make reports of the same to the headquarters of Major-General Hooker.

This duty was assigned to the 8th Kentucky Volunteers (Col. S. M. Barnes), and the 96th Illinois Volunteers (Colonel Champion), who were henceforth detached from their commands, and held the point until the morning of the 2d instant, when they were relieved by troops from General Geary’s command.

About 10 o’clock a. m., orders were received from Major-General Hooker commanding an advance on the Rossville road, in the direction of Missionary Ridge. General Osterhaus’ division was ordered to lead the column; this command to follow, and General Geary’s command to bring up the rear. About 11 o’clock a.m., this command moved out in the direction indicated and reached the foot of the mountain about 12 o’clock m.

Upon reaching Chattanooga Creek, it was found that the enemy had destroyed the bridges across it. General Osterhaus threw a regiment speedily across the creek, which passed to the gorge in the ridge and had some brisk skirmishing with the enemy.

A section of the enemy’s artillery was placed so as to command the gorge and part of the plain below, and was used freely in firing upon it, but without effect. This was driven off by General Osterhaus’ skirmishers.

Some delay was occasioned here in the construction of a bridge sufficient to cross the infantry column. This was, however, accomplished and General Osterhaus’ column thrown across, and a portion of it advanced in the direction of Missionary Ridge on the left of Rossville Road, striking the ridge about half a mile to the northward of McFarland’s house, without encounter with the enemy.

My command was now ordered forward and was pressed rapidly out on the Rossville road.

Upon reaching the gorge at McFarland’s house, the column of General Osterhaus was met coming down the ridge with the intention, as the General stated, of passing down the valley along the road at the base of the ridge in the direction of Chattanooga.

Upon request of General Osterhaus, the head of the column was halted long enough to communicate with General Hooker, who was but a short distance to the rear.

His answer came in a few moments in the shape of an order borne by Major-General Butterfield, chief of staff, to occupy the ridge immediately and engage the enemy vigorously in case he should be met, pressing the line rapidly northward along the ridge until the enemy was encountered, and that General Osterhaus would support it in the valley on the right, and General Geary in the valley on the left.

The head of the column was immediately turned up the ridge from near McFarland’s house, at 4 o’clock p. m. Two regiments from the head of the column, 9th and 36th Indiana, were ordered up on double-quick and run into line under fire of the enemy’s skirmishers, instantly charged and drove them.

The residue of the column was soon formed in line, the 3d brigade (Colonel Grose), in advance, 2d brigade (Brigadier-General Whittaker), within supporting distance, except two regiments (51st Ohio, and 36th Indiana), which were thrown to the front on Colonel Grose’s left flank.

The ridge at the point of ascent, and in fact along the whole extent, was so narrow on top as not to admit the full brigade formation. The assault therefore was made in a column of four lines of three regiments front at supporting intervals.

The casualties of my command in this engagement were slight, not exceeding four killed and thirty wounded. The impetuosity with which the men charged the enemy, and the success which they had in breaking his lines early in the fight, rendered the assault comparatively bloodless on our side.

The men were camped along the ridge near the headquarters which the rebel General Stewart had occupied in the morning. Our long line of blazing camp fires must have presented a welcome spectacle to our comrades in arms at Chattanooga.

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The Civil War Commemorative Half Dollar Coin shows against an artist’s (Alfred R. Waud) view of the Battle of Missionary Ridge, circa 1863.

Civil War Commemorative Half Dollar Coin