Existing comment:
Occupation of the Summit of Lookout.
Nov. 25th. 1863.
No Union troops reached the top of the Mountain during the Battle of Lookout. The Confederates began to withdraw from from the summit at 7 P.M. of the 24th, and completed the retirement about 9 o'clock, and at 10 P.M. had crossed Chattanooga Creek on their way t,o Missionary Ridge. Early next morning Gen. Whitaker, commanding brigade in Cruft's Division, his line being then in the vicinity of the Craven House, called for volunteers from the 8th Kentucky to scale the palisades at the Point of the Mountain.
The following responded: Capt. John Wilson, Co. C; Sergt. Harris H. Davis, Private William Witt, Co. A; Sergts. Joseph Wagers, James G. Wood, Co. B; and Joel Bradley, Co. I. They gained the summit unopposed, and at sunrise displayed the colors of the regiment in the sight of both armies.
The morning being unusually bright and clear it gave notice to both of the result of the battle of the day and night before. The 8th Kentucky Infantry, Col. Sidney M. Barnes, quickly followed, and advanced to Summertown finding the mountain evacuated. The 96th Illinois Infantry, Col. Thos. E. Champion followed the 8th Kentucky. Upon the advance of Gen. Hooker's forces towards Rossville during the forenoon of the 25th for the attack on Missionary Ridge. These two regiments were left to hold the summit of the mountain, and occupied the position until Dec. 2d. |