O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXI/2 [S# 55]

NOVEMBER 23-27, 1863.--The Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign.

No. 170.--Report of Col. Gustave Kammerling, Ninth Ohio Infantry.

HDQRS. NINTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
Chattanooga, Tenn., December 1, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor herewith to forward a report about the part taken by my regiment in the battle of Chattanooga, November 25, 1863. The Ninth Ohio did not take an active part in the fighting before late in the afternoon of the 25th of November. At 3 p.m. on that day it was posted on the left of the second line of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Fourteenth Corps, the brigade being then in battle line in front of and facing the enemy's rifle-pits erected at the foot of and along the west side of the Missionary Ridge. About 4 o'clock I received orders from Colonel Van Derveer to advance, which I did. As soon as the line moved forward it met with a most galling fire from the enemy's batteries posted on the ridge in front and on the left of our position, but notwithstanding this heavy artillery fire which we had to pass through, I succeeded in gaining the ridge with a comparatively very small loss in killed and wounded. On the top of the ridge, which I found already in possession of the troops of the first line of our brigade, I formed my regiment and marched a short distance to the left, where I saw among others the Second Minnesota Volunteers engaged in a desperate fight with the rebels, who were gradually retreating northward toward the next knoll of the ridge. From this moment until dark my regiment participated in the struggle for the possession of the said ridge. For over half an hour a heavy and incessant musketry firing was kept up by both sides, which finally ended with the retreat of the enemy. During the night and part of the following day the troops bivouacked on the field of battle.

About 1 p.m. on the 26th day of November, my regiment was ordered to march off with four days" rations in the haversack and 100 rounds of ammunition per man. We joined in the pursuit of the enemy, and went as far as Ringgold, Ga., from which place we returned to Chattanooga on the evening of the 29th of November, 1863.

My total loss sustained consists in 2 enlisted men killed and 12 enlisted men wounded; none missing. A list(*) of the men killed and wounded is attached hereto.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. KAMMERLING,
Colonel, Comdg. Ninth Regiment Ohio Vol. Infantry.

Capt. JOHN R. BEATTY,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Brigade.