Page:Journal history of the Twenty-ninth Ohio veteran volunteers, 1861-1865.djvu/91

 division of the Fifteenth corps, and Whittaker's brigade, of the Fourth corps, now advanced to the left of Geary's division. The rebels soon discovered this movement and promptly moved a strong force down the mountain side within easy musket range, where they strongly fortified during the night.

The morning of November 24th opened out a simultaneous discharge of our entire artillery, which was parked along the mountain's point, the infantry on our left advancing to the base of the mountain. The First brigade, led by Colonel Creighton, and followed by the Second and Third brigades, moved rapidly up the creek to the right under cover of the woods, then debouching to the left. The First brigade took the advance and began the ascent of Lookout heights, being favored by a friendly ravine extending toward the crest of the mountain. The brigade had advanced perhaps two-thirds of the distance before the enemy discovered its movements, and now the men renew their efforts, driving the enemy before them despite the terrible fire poured into our advance, and after a desperate struggle reach the rocky crest and disappear in a thick mist (referred to by most writers, we believe, as clouds, and which gave this engagement the title of the "battle above the clouds"). The line of the whole division is extended, and in a moment sweeps down in an impetuous charge on both the rebel flank and rear. Their batteries are reached, the cannoniers beaten back, and the guns captured. Onward, upward, with loud cheers our columns rush to victory, carrying everything before them. A whole brigade is captured, and Lookout mountain, since famous in song and story, is ours. This victory was won by Geary's men, assisted only by Whittaker's brigade acting as support. The troops below now came gallantly(?) up