OHIO TWENTY-FIRST INFANTRY (Three Months)

Twenty-first Infantry. (Three Months' Service.) Col., Jesse S. Norton; Lieut.-Col., James M. Neibling; Maj., A. J. Taylor. The companies composing this organization were enrolled as follows: A, F and G, April 19, 20 and 26, respectively, at Findlay; B, April 23, at Gilead; C, April 25, at Perrysburg; D, April 20, at Ottawa; E, April 20, at Kalida; H, April 23, at Fostoria; I, April 26, at Elmore, and K, April 24, at Defiance. They at once proceeded to Camp Taylor, Cleveland, where the regimental organization was formed, and active preparation made for the field. When the quota under the first call had been filled, it was found by the state officials that nine full regiments were in camp and had to be cared for the 21st being one of them. Ohio being a border state and liable to invasion, these additional troops were mustered into the state service to provide more effectually for defense. On May 23, the regiment moved to Gallipolis, stopping at Columbus for arms and accouterments. It remained in camp until July 3, when it was ordered to Ravenswood, W. Va., by Gen. McClellan, to reinforce other troops there, expecting an attack from O. J. Wise, whose forces were at Ripley. It made a forced march to Ripley, surprised and drove the Confederates away, and then returned to Gallipolis by steamer. On July 11, it became part of Gen. Cox's brigade and marched to Red House, on the Kanawha river, where it was ordered to make a reconnaissance for the purpose of discovering the Confederate position. It performed gallant duty at Scarey creek, where Col. Norton led the forces in a successful bayonet charge and received a painful wound through the hips. The enemy was reinforced and advanced his column, capturing Col. Norton and Lieut. Brown, of the 12th Ohio, who remained with the colonel and the other wounded. The regiment's loss in this battle was 2 killed, 2 mortally and a number slightly wounded. It remained in the field under Lieut.Col. Neibling, until ordered home to be mustered out, which occurred on Aug. 12, 1861, at Columbus. Its casualties during its term of service was 4 men killed in battle, 3 drowned and 8 died of disease.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 2

OHIO TWENTY-FIRST INFANTRY (Three Years)

Twenty-first Infantry. (Three Years' Service.) Cols., Jesse S. Norton, James M. Neibling; Lieut.-Cols., Dwella M. Stoughton, Arnold McMahon; Majs., Samuel A. Strong, George F. Walker. This regiment was organized at Findlay on Sept. 19, 1861, to serve for three years. It received marching orders a few days thereafter, was supplied with arms at Camp Dennison on Oct. 2, and marched the same day for Nicholasville, Ky. During that campaign no engagement occurred, excepting that at Ivy mountain, in which the Confederates attempted an ambush, but were foiled and whipped, mainly through a flank movement executed by the 21st. In Gen. O. M. Mitchel's division it marched on Bowling Green driving the Confederates from that strong position. It participated in the movement on Huntsville, Ala., driving the Confederates out, capturing 300 prisoners, 16 locomotives, and a large number of freight and passenger cars. At La Vergne, Tenn., during the siege of Nashville, the regiment captured a part of the 3d Ala. rifle regiment, with their colors, camp and garrison equipage, and 54 horses. The 21st was engaged in the fighting at Stone's river, first in the center and then on the left of the army. In the last day of the fight it charged across the river, through water waist-deep, and captured 3 brass field-pieces, the only artillery captured in the battle. In this battle the regiment lost 1 officer and 46 men killed, 76 wounded and 17 captured. Then the regiment moved with the army upon the enemy at Tullahoma and was also engaged at Dug gap. It took part in the hottest of the fighting on both of the days at Chickamauga, expending in this battle 43,550 rounds of Colt's fixed ammunition and sustaining a loss of 1 officer and 50 men killed, 3 officers and 98 men wounded, 12 officers and 104 men captured. It also was present at the battle of Missionary ridge. The remnant of the regiment veteranized, was furloughed home, and the following spring joined Sherman's grand army upon the campaign to Atlanta. Fighting soon commenced, and the regiment opened its veteran campaign with the battles of Buzzard Roost and Resaca. Moving forward the regiment was present at the battle of New Hope Church, and in capturing a ridge which had been abandoned without a fight on the evening before. Co. K sustained a loss of 4 men killed and 2 wounded. Skirmishing continued daily until the enemy presented front at Kennesaw mountain, and the 21st was engaged at this point every day, holding the front line at Bald knob for twelve days and nights in succession, at which point 3 men were killed and 10 wounded. In a severe engagement at Vining's station the regiment lost 15 men killed, 2 officers and 37 men wounded and 1 officer missing. Having crossed the Chattahoochee river, the regiment again engaged the enemy at Nancy's creek and continued to engage him until the battle of Peachtree creek was fought. During the siege of Atlanta the 21st was engaged with the enemy on several occasions and was under fire every day. At the battle of Jonesboro it was again engaged and added new laurels to its character as a fighting regiment, its loss in this battle being 5 killed, 30 wounded and 1 missing. The total loss of the regiment in this campaign, from May 7 to the occupation of Atlanta, Sept. 2, was 2 officers and 32 men killed, and 5 officers and 119 men wounded, many of whom subsequently died. The regiment then moved with Sherman to the sea and from Dec. 12 to 20 was engaged with the enemy's outposts before Savannah, entering the city the following morning in advance of its army corps. It was engaged at Rocky Mount, S. C., at Averasboro, N. C., and participated in the battle of Bentonville, which was the last hostile meeting of the regiment with the enemy. It returned to Washington, via Richmond, was present at the grand review, and then proceeded to Louisville, Ky, where it was mustered out on July 25, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 2 Stone's River after battle report: Report of Col. James M. Neibling, Twenty-first Ohio Infantry. CAMP TWENTY-FIRST OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, Near Murfreesborough, Tenn., January 10, 1863. SIR: I respectfully submit to you the following report of the action of my regiment in the battle of Stone's River: After a march occupying three days, during which skirmishing with the enemy was fierce and continuous, by your order I bivouacked my regiment upon the field on the evening of December 29, ultimo, in its brigade position. On the morning of December 30, ultimo, my regiment was thrown into position with reserve corps, on the right center. Sharp picket fighting occupied the day, and on the morning of December 31, ultimo, the enemy made his appearance on the center and right wing. The battle raged with uninterrupted fury, and we lay upon the field during the night. I cannot picture to you the gallant conduct of my men during the fight of the 31st ultimo. Officers and men universally fought with desperation and bravery. January 1, the enemy refused to show himself in force on the center, and at nigh we again slept on the field. January 2, indicated fight. At 3 p.m., by your orders, my regiment took position to support Gen. Van Cleve's division, on the left. At about 4 p.m. the enemy, in force, showed his front in pursuit of our retreating troops. Lying down in line, we watched the approach of the enemy, exulting over his fancied success. A charge was ordered, and, although my regiment was much impeded by the disorganized flight of infantry, artillery, and riderless horses, my regiment reached the opposite bank of Stone's River and engaged the enemy. The struggle which ensued was desperate and bloody. We succeeded in driving him beyond his line of artillery, which he left on the field as trophies. The enemy was completely routed, and night closed pursuit, leaving us in possession of a battle-field 2 miles in extent. I could mention many instance of individual heroism. Capt. Caton, Company H, gallantly bore the colors across the river in the charge. Capt.'s McMahon, Canfield, and Alban were conspicuous in the struggle. Lieut. Wiley, of Company C, commanding Company A, fell, mortally wounded. Lieut.'s Knaggs, Allen, and Bumpus fell, severely wounded, while cheering their men to the charge. Lieut.-Col. Stoughton and Maj. Walker deserve all praise for their efficient and prompt action during the fight. Indeed, all vied with each other in the performance of their several duties. I herewith append a list* of the killed, wounded, and missing, for whom amid our cheers of victory, let us not forget to drop a soldier's tear. Very respectfully, &c., JAMES M. NEIBLING, Col., Comdg. Twenty-first Regt. Ohio Vol. Infantry. Col. JOHN F. MILLER, Comdg. Seventh Brigade, Eighth Div., Fourteenth Army Corps. Source: Official Records CHAP. XXXII.] THE STONE'S RIVER CAMPAIGN. PAGE 439-29 [Series I. Vol. 20. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 29.] Chickamagua after battle report: Reports of Maj. Arnold McMahan and Capt. Charles H. Vantine, Twenty-first Ohio Infantry. HDQRS. 21ST REGT. OHIO INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS, Near Atlanta, Ga., July 14, 1864. SIR: Herewith is transmitted a statement of the part taken by the Twenty-first Regt. Ohio Infantry Volunteers, under my command, at the battle of Chickamauga. The letters of Gen.'s Negley and Brannan in reply to my letters to them, copies of all which are herewith transmitted, are made a part of this report and referred for the information of all concerned. Special attention is called to the letter of Gen. Brannan, in which my command is charged with "surrendering so quietly as to escape the notice of all but the regiment on my immediate left, the colonel of which promptly reported to him the facts," &c. He will be surprised to know that Col. Carlton, of the Eighty-ninth Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and Col. Le Favour, of the Twenty-second Michigan, were the colonels commanding regiments on my left, both of whom were captured a short time before I was captured myself. Gen. Brannan may have been misinformed in regard to the position of his troops. Very respectfully, A. McMAHAN, Lieut. Col., Comdg. Twenty-first Ohio Volunteers. Brig. Gen. WILLIAM D. WHIPPLE, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Department of the Cumberland. [Inclosure No. 1.] CAMP CHASE, COLUMBUS, OHIO, April 6, 1864. SIR: Having been a prisoner of war in the hands of the enemy, I was unable sooner to report the part taken by the Twenty-first Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Third Brigade, Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, in the battle of Chickamauga, fought on Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20, 1863. The regiment moved into action Saturday evening, an hour before sundown, under command of Lieut. Col. D. M. Stoughton. We had position on the left of our own brigade and joined Col. Stanley's (Second) brigade on its right. We engaged the enemy's skirmishers until dark, when the firing ceased, after which breastworks of logs were constructed, facing east-southeast, in front of an open field. This position was held by us until Sunday morning (20th), at which time our skirmishers became engaged with the skirmishers of the enemy at daylight. Late Sunday morning (20th) we were withdrawn from this position, and moved with our brigade to a new position. Skirmishers from the Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteers (Gen. Wood's division) relieved our own skirmishers, and that regiment moved to the position from which we had just withdrawn. This position is also particularly marked by two large vats, used for the manufacture of niter, about 200 yards to the rear. At 12 o'clock Sunday (20th) our regiment was assigned a position upon a curved ridge, our front being south. A deep ravine was in front on this ridge, and on our right heavy timber; on our left an open field with timber beyond. There was an old house about 200 yards to our rear which was subsequently occupied by our wounded. Our effective support in this division consisted of the Twenty-second Michigan Volunteers and Eighty-ninth Ohio Volunteers on our right, troops under command of Col. Walker (of the Thirty-first Ohio Volunteers), and Ninth Ohio on our left, and the Second Minnesota Volunteers in reserve. I have not learned any name by which this position may be designated, therefore have substituted a description of it. Immediately after taking position (12 m.) the enemy's skirmishers engaged us, and in a short time a strong force moved against us. A severe engagement resulted in the repulse of the enemy. This demonstration of the enemy for the occupation of this important position was made before the arrival of the support heretofore stated, and though superior in numbers he was unable to endure the repeated volleys of our superior arms (Colt's revolving rifles). Heavy skirmishing continued until 2 o'clock, when the enemy again made an attempt to carry this position, in which he failed. Our position was maintained, however, with severe loss in killed and wounded. At 2. 30 o'clock Lieut.-Col. Stoughton, who was commanding the regiment until this time, was severely wounded, and the command devolved upon myself. By 3 o'clock every effort had failed to procure a further supply of ammunition. Orderlies sent to report our condition and position to Col. Sirwell, commanding our brigade, and to Gen. Negley, commanding our division, and to obtain ammunition, returned without being able to accomplish the object for which they were sent. Our brigade had retired in the direction of Chattanooga. I was unable to communicate with Gen. Negley, and no general officer was designated to whom I might report. But we continued to hold our position. The cartridge-boxes of our killed and wounded were carefully searched, also the hospitals for any ammunition that might be carried there in the cartridge-boxes of our wounded, and by this means obtained sufficient ammunition to meet the enemy in a third assault upon our position about 5 o'clock. In this assault the enemy crossed the ravine in our front and carried his banners up the hill to within 20 yards of our line. He was repulsed, and did not retire in good order. During the afternoon a battery had range upon our position, inflicting some damage upon us, also setting fire to the leaves and brush in our front, and the enemy advanced under cover of the smoke. The wounded, under cover of our fire, were removed. A heavy line of skirmishers continued to annoy us, and a sharp fire upon this line exhausted our ammunition a short time before sundown, at which time the Second Regt. Minnesota Volunteers relieved us. A further search for ammunition resulted in finding one round each for the men composing my command, which had now become very much reduced in numbers. At this time Col. Van Derveer (who assumed command) ordered me to occupy a position on the extreme right, from which a part of our line had just been driven by the enemy. In obedience to the order we occupied the position and captured 9 prisoners. A sharp fire from the enemy forced us back, but we regained our position and held it until dark, at which time a brigade of four regiments, under Col. Trigg, moved upon us and overwhelmed us. Simultaneous with this movement of the enemy, which was upon our right flank and rear, we received a fire from the enemy, who had also opened upon our left, which took effect both upon the enemy on our right and ourselves. During the misunderstanding thus occasioned, a part of my men escaped under cover of the night. Col. Van Derveer having withdrawn the troops under his command, my command was unsupported, and both flanks were exposed. Thus we lost our stand of colors, which were made sacred to us by the blood of many comrades who fell in their defense and for their honor on other fields as well as on the unfortunate field of Chickamauga. Great credit is due the gallant officers and brave men of my command for their soldier-like bearing and good discipline, who stood by their colors and contested the fortunes of the day to the bitter end. I have the honor to report that my regiment did the last firing upon and offered the latest resistance to the advance of the enemy which he received, and which checked his progress and ended the battle of Chickamauga. Having been separated from my brigade and division commanders without orders, and not being in communication with any other general officer, I was not informed of the movements of the army, and held my regiment too closely engaged for the nature of the contest at dark. The reference made to other officers and troops than those under my command is not intended as a report of any part of their conduct on the field, but to describe the position of my own command, yet I would be pleased to note the gallant conduct of the troops I have mentioned. Our losses were as follows: Casualties. O EM T Killed and died of wounds.... 1 47 48 Wounded...................... 3 98 101 Prisoners.................... 12 104 116 Total*.................... 16 249 265 O=Officers. EM=Enlisted men. T=Total. Rounds of ammunition expended, 43,550. We moved into action with 22 officers, and 517 men with rifles. Very respectfully, A. McMAHAN, Maj. Twenty-first Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry. [Inclosure No. 2.] CAMP CHASE, OHIO, April 12, 1864. Maj. Gen. J. S. NEGLEY: GEN.: As soon as I can obtain the necessary information I will submit a report, as complete as practicable, of the part taken by the Twenty-first Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the battle of Chickamauga, fought September 19 and 20, 1863. To obtain this information I must, under present circumstances (being a paroled prisoner), inquire by letters for several facts which I wish to embody in it. I will state here, however, that my report of the conduct of my regiment on the field during its participation in the battle referred to is now written, and so soon as the facts above alluded to are obtained will be submitted. I would be pleased to have my report accompanied by a letter from you, showing why I received no orders from you before night, or in time to prevent so severe a loss of my command on the 20th of September, above referred to. Be assured, general, that the unfortunate officers [and men] of my command now suffering the miseries of imprisonment in the hands of the enemy, as well as myself, will be slow to believe that our old commander, who defended Nashville with such signal ability and who acquitted himself with honor in the battle of Stone's River and Dug Gap, came short in the discharge of his high duty and the expectations of the army and country at the battle of Chickamauga. It would be useless to call attention to the brave men of my command, who fell in the line of their duty, though fighting against hope, but I would be pleased to communicate to the surviving officers and soldiers of my regiment who fought with me on that memorable occasion that their general appreciates their services and conduct of the field. As before stated I will submit a report at the earliest possible moment, and would be glad to annex to it a copy of your letter and this. Be assured of my kindest personal regards. Very respectfully, A. McMAHAN, Maj. Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. P. S.--Address me at Perrysburg, Wood County, Ohio. [Inclosure No. 3.] HDQRS., Louisville, Ky., April 18, 1864. Maj. A. McMAHAN, Twenty-first Ohio Volunteers, Camp Chase: DEAR SIR: Your letter of 12th instant has my attention. The intelligence of your safe return is highly gratifying. Please accept my grateful appreciation of the sentiments of personal respect and confidence you have so kindly expressed. You are doubtless aware that Gen.'s Brannan and Wood indulged in severe and unauthorized reflections upon the division and myself. These reflections received my prompt notice, and were investigated before a court of inquiry, which I requested (as you have or will read), with the most satisfactory results. During the battle on Sunday, and after my First and Second Brigades were detached from my command, Gen. Brannan applied earnestly for a regiment to support his position. The Twenty-first Ohio Volunteers was sent him for the purpose. Shortly afterward the tide of battle, and the assault of a largely superior force from the enemy, separated my command-which then consisted of the remainder of the Third Brigade and some 50 pieces of artillery-from the troops on my left, and compelled the withdrawal of the artillery to McFarland's for safety. The Twenty-first Ohio Volunteers remained under the immediate command of Gen. Brannan, and, as I have been informed, covered his retreat after dark. I have received no official report of the operations of the Twenty-first Ohio Volunteers after it was placed under the command of Gen. Brannan; therefore I am ignorant of the facts, and you know best what orders he gave, if any, and now far he is responsible for the circumstances which occasioned the fearful loss of so many heroic men. I shall take pleasure in reading your statement of the facts. Yours, very truly, JAS. S. NEGLEY, Maj.-Gen. [Inclosure No. 4.] PERRYSBURG, OHIO, April 22, 1864. Brig.-Gen. BRANNAN, Comdg. Third Div., 14th A. C., September 20, 1863: SIR: On the 12th instant I wrote Gen. James S. Negley in regard to the dispositions made of the Twenty-first Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at the battle of Chickamauga, Sunday afternoon, September 20, 1863. In reply I received his letter, dated Louisville, Ky., April 18, 1864, from which the following is an extract, viz: During the battle on Sunday, and after my First and Second Brigades were detached from my command, Gen. Brannan applied earnestly for a regiment to support his position. The Twenty-first Ohio Volunteers was sent to him for the purpose. * * * * * The Twenty-first Ohio Volunteers remained under the immediate command of Gen. Brannan, and, as I have been informed, covered his retreat after dark. I have lately returned from an imprisonment in the hands of the enemy, having been captured at the battle and on the day above referred to, and intend to submit a statement of the conduct of my regiment in said battle as soon as practicable. My object in writing to you is to learn why I was not informed of the withdrawal of the troops on the Horseshoe Ridge at dark, and why I received no orders from you in regard to the retreat of my own command. Having no ammunition and the troops having been stealthily withdrawn from my flanks I was forced to meet the enemy under serious disadvantages. The interposition of my regiment between the enemy and our retiring forces made their retreat an easy matter after dark, as they were not disturbed in the even tenor of their way toward Chattanooga. I will be glad to accompany my report-which is now written-by a letter containing such information as may seem proper to you. Very respectfully, A. McMAHAN, Maj. Twenty-first Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry. P. S.--Post-office: Perrysburg, Wood County, Ohio. [Inclosure No. 5.] HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Chattanooga, Tenn., May 3, 1864. Maj. A. McMAHAN, Twenty-first Ohio Volunteers: Maj.: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of April 22, 1864, inquiring wherefore you were not informed of the withdrawal of troops from your flanks, nor ordered to withdraw your command of Twenty-first Ohio Volunteers from the Horseshoe Ridge on Sunday night, September 20, at Chickamauga, and would state in reply that at the time of your command being captured no portion of my troops had been withdrawn from the field, nor had orders been issued to that effect. The surrender of your command was accomplished so quietly as to escape the notice of all but the regiment on your immediate left, the colonel of which promptly reported the fact to me, whereupon I sent the Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteers to hold the position, which it did successfully against a subsequent attack of the rebels. The extract quoted from Maj.-Gen. Negley's letter of April 18, 1864, to the effect that the Twenty-first Ohio Volunteers covered my retreat after dark is incorrect, as that duty was performed by the Sixty-eighth and One hundred and first Indiana Volunteer Regt.s, being the only troops who had any ammunition whatever. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. M. BRANNAN, Brig. Gen., Chief of Artillery, 14th Army Corps, Late Comdg. Third Division, 14th Army Corps. P. S.--The troops on your right belonged to Maj.-Gen. Cranger's corps and were withdrawn before you were captured without my being notified of the fact. My command was not withdrawn for a considerable time after. ----HDQRS. TWENTY-FIRST REGT. OHIO VOL. INFTY., Chattanooga, Tenn., September 27, 1863. SIR: In obedience to orders just received, I have the honor to submit the following as a report of the proceedings of my command since leaving Cave Spring, Ala.: On September 1, 1863, the regiment left Cave Spring, Ala., taking up the line of march at about 7 p. m., Lieut. Col. D. M. Stoughton being in command. Passing through Stevenson we crossed the Tennessee River the same evening, bivouacked on south side of the river until morning, going into bivouac at 1 a. m. of 2d instant. Took up line of march on morning of 2d instant at 7 o'clock; went into bivouac evening of 2d at 4 o'clock, near Bridgeport, Ala., and near foot of Big Raccoon Mountain. On 3d we crossed Big Raccoon, the companies being scattered along the mountain to help the teams up. At about 3 p. m., the teams being over, took up line of march and marched 6 miles, going into bivouac at about sundown. On the 4th instant we marched to foot of the mountain and went into bivouac about 4 p. m. On the 5th a reconnaissance was made some 2 or 3 miles into the valley to the iron-works, capturing some salt and some tobacco. The troops composing the reconnoitering force were Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and one section of Battery G, First Ohio Volunteer Artillery. No enemy was discovered during the day. The regiment went into bivouac at 5 p. m. Company D being detached on picket, did not rejoin the command until next day. At daylight on the 6th the command was marched back to foot of Big Raccoon for knapsacks. After getting knapsacks started back and marched until about 6 p. m., when we went into bivouac. On 7th we marched about 4 miles and reached the foot of Lookout Mountain. On 8th we crossed Lookout; the companies were scattered along the mountain to assist the train up. The train was got over at 10 p. m., when we marched to the top and went into bivouac. On the 9th we marched to the foot of the mountain and went into bivouac about 4 p. m. On the 10th we moved from our position at the foot of Lookout and advanced slowly toward Pigeon Gap, Twenty-first being in advance, Companies F and C being deployed as skirmishers, light skirmishing being the order of the day. We reached a hill that evening within a mile or mile and one-half of the Gap. At 3 a. m. we changed position going about three-quarters of a mile to the rear of the hill occupied the evening before, the regiment being formed in the edge of a dense wood, completely concealing it from the enemy. At 6 a. m. of the 11th we changed position a short distance to the left. We lay there until 10 a. m., when we were moved to the rear to protect the wagon train from some rebel cavalry who were reported about to attack it. While lying here we threw up a slight breastwork of rails, logs, &c. At 3 p. m. we were ordered back still farther, the corps being compelled to fall back. We marched about 2 miles to the rear and took up position in a wood on the left as support to Battery G, in double column on the center closed en masse. The artillery were firing quite rapidly, and in about half an hour we were moved still farther to the rear, marching by the left flank. Shortly after we were deployed in line of battle. After a short time we again commenced the retrograde movement, marching by the right of companies about 4 miles. At 9 p. m. we took position on the brow of a hill and went into bivouac. Moved our position slightly on morning of 12th and formed line of battle; stacked arms. On 12th and 13th we lay in the same position taken up the morning of the 12th. On 14th changed position to the right about three-quarters of a mile. We lay in that position until the 17th, when we took up the line of march at 7 a. m. We marched to Chickamauga Creek and went into bivouac on its banks that night about dark. On 18th took up line of march at 3 p. m., marched 5 miles to the front and got into bivouac after dark. We lay there about three hours, when we were ordered back to the Chickamauga again. We reached the creek, threw out pickets, and went into bivouac by 4 a. m. of 19th. At daylight we threw out pickets and marched back a mile, where we took position as support for Battery G; threw up breastworks of logs and stones. Lay there until 3 p. m., when we were again marched up to the front about 5 miles. Heavy fighting had been going on all day on our left. About 6 p. m. reached the battle-field, formed line of battle, and marched forward in a strip of woods about a mile. Just after entering the woods we were saluted by a volley of about ten or twelve guns. We returned the fire, when the enemy threw down their arms and fled. Lay in line of battle all night, every man on the alert. We lost 3 men wounded and 2 killed on 19th. Next morning (20th) we were moved from our position about 9 a. m. over to he left, the enemy having made a spirited attack on that point. After changing position several times we were finally put in position on the brow of a hill as support to a battery belonging to Gen. Brannan's division. At about 11.30 a. m. the enemy advanced on us in heavy force. We, however, held our ground until 3 p. m., when some of the Reserve Corps came up and relieved us, charging down the hill and driving the enemy in gallant style. They kept the enemy at bay for about one hour, when they fell back and we were again engaged with the enemy. In the meantime we had thrown up a slight breastwork of logs and stone, behind which we fought until about 5 p. m., when we were relieved by some of Gen. Brannan's division. Our ammunition was exhausted, and we could not procure any more. At about half past 5 p. m. the enemy sent up messengers to Brannan's men stating that some of them were waiting for them (our men) to cease firing in order to give themselves (i. e., the enemy) up. The firing ceased and the enemy came up, but instead of a giving themselves up they fired a volley and charged up the hill, gaining possession of it entirely. The commanding officer of Brannan's troops asked that the Twenty-first should charge up and retake the hill. After some delay one round of ammunition was procured per man from the dead and wounded. With this one round in our guns, we charged up the hill. We delivered our volley, but the enemy was in too large force, and we were forced back. Twice again, with no ammunition, we charged, with the vain hope of retaking the hill. But we were repulsed. In the meantime Brannan's men were reforming and we lay down to wait until they reorganized, intending to make one grand charge, and if possible retake the hill. While we were waiting a column was observed filing in a small ravine on our right flank. Supposing they were our men (they being dressed in blue jeans) we took no notice of them until they formed line of battle facing toward us. They formed and commenced advancing on us; when asked who they were, said they were "Jeff. Davis' men;" supposed they were some of J. C. Davis' division. When they were within a few rods of us they called upon us to "surrender," "lay down," &c. A portion of the men jumped up to retreat toward Gen. Brannan's division, when they poured in a heavy volley, wounding and killing a great many. A few of the men of the Twenty-first who escaped formed, and were led to Rossville by Col. Walker, of the Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On the morning of the 21st we collected all that could be found, reported to Col. Sirwell, our brigade commander, and took position on the left of the Seventy-eighth Regt. Pennsylvania Volunteers. On the 21st, together with the rest of the brigade, we took up position on a hill near Rossville, where we lay until about 12 m., when we were withdrawn and marched to Chattanooga, reaching our present camp on the 22d. Since then we have done nothing but work on the fort, &c. Of the officers and men of this command I have only to say that they have done their duty. We ask no higher praise than that. Every men fought as if the fate of the nation rested on his individual efforts. Lieut. Col. D. M. Stoughton was wounded about 3.30 p. m. on the 20th. A cooler, braver, or more patriotic officer than he never drew sword. You will see by the official report of killed, wounded, and missing that we lost some 272 officers and men.* I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES H. VANTINE, Capt. Co. I, Comdg. 21st Ohio Vol. Infantry. Capt. CHAS B. GILLESPIE, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Third Brigade.

Source: Official Records PAGE 387-50 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., N. ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. XLII. [Series I. Vol. 30. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 50.]

Ohio 21st Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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