History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.

1863 LIBERTY GAP AND CHICKAMAUGA. 989
conjunction with the Twenty-ninth Indiana, charged and carried the heights,
routing the enemy, and driving him to the next range, a mile distant. During
the ensuing night the enemy was reinforced, but on the following morning the
Tnion line moved forward to attack. The Seventy-seventh was obliged to move
over a level ploughed field, now trodden into deep mud. In passing this it was
exposed to a hot fire, from which many fell, among them Colonel Miller, Colonel
Rose succeeding him in command of the brigade. For nearly two hours the
battle raged with unabated fury, when the enemy was again routed, and put
to flight. The regiment lost one-third of its effective strength, Lieutenant
William H. Thomas being among the killed, and Captain Kreps among the badly
wounded.
Soon afterwards the rebel leader commenced his retreat towards Chattanooga,, and Rosecrans followed in pursuit, intent on again bringing him to bay.
On the 30th of August the regiment reached Stevenson, and on the following day
crossed the Tennessee River. Passing over Sand and Lookout Mountains, the
brigade moved down to near Rome, Georgia; but soon after returned, and
ascending Lookout, passed along upon its summit, remaining some time near
the falls of Little River, and on the 17th of September descended into MILemore's Cove, where it went into line in the enemy's front. On the 19th,
changing rapidly several miles to the left, where the fighting was very heavy,
it was ordered into position, and charged, driving the enemy nearly two miles.
The Seventy-seventh was on the extreme right of the division, and had attained
a position considerably in advance of the troops on its right. But as the
enemy seemed thoroughly beaten, no immediate evil resulted. General Willick,
however, immediately ordered Colonel Rose to send out a detachment to the
right to ascertain how wide was the gap between his troops and next of the
line. Two companies, under Lieutenant Colonel Pyfer, were dispatched, who
soon returned reporting the distance a mile and a quarter. General Willick
ordered the position to be held, and said that troops would be sent to fill the
gap. Just at dark a heavy rebel column of fresh troops attacked with great
violence. That fatal gap was not filled, and the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania,
and Seventy-ninth Illinois, with flanks exposed, were left to battle alone with
an overpowering hostile force. With a coolness and courage rarely paralleled,
the men held their ground, and when at length outflanked, and the line enfiladed, there were signs of wavering, the officers seized the colors, and with
unwonted heroism, and daring, inspired the men, by their example, with fresh
enthusiasm to maintain the fight, and to hold the ground. The action became
desperate, and hand to hand, and to distinguish friend from foe was difficult.
In the midst of the fight the rebel General, Preston Smith, was shot down by
Sergeant Boysen, the General having taken the Sergeant for one of his own
men, and being in the act of striking him with his sword for some conceived
offence. But the odds were too great, and that little band of heroes was forced
to yield, all the field officers, seven line officers, and seventy men of the Seventy.
seventh falling into the hands of the enemy. Those who escaped retired during
the night, and under the command of Captain J. J. Lawson took part in the
fierce fighting of the following day. On the 21st they retired, with the army,
to Chattanooga, and were engaged in fortifying, and in repelling the advance
of Bragg.
On the 26th of October the command moved to the summit of Waldenis
Ridge, and thence, by Jasper and Shellmound, to Whiteside, where it remained