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

1862 EXPEDITION TO CHATTANOOGA. 1077
and rear. His infantry soon opened from his intreuchments, and his artillery,
consisting of one twenty-four pounder, one eighteen pounder, and four smaller
pieces, was served with spirit. The fire was promptly returned, and for five
hours a brisk cannonade was kept up, silencing his guns, and causing him to
beat a hasty retreat. The loss in the Seventy-ninth was one wounded.* The
object of this expedition was a diversion in favor of General Smith, who was
attempting to force his way through Cumberland Gap, into East Tennessee.
The end having been accomplished, General Negley returned with his command to Shelbyville, having been absent but fourteen days, had two engagements with the enemy, and performed a toilsome march of two hundred and
eighty-four miles.
The 4th of July was celebrated by the command with becoming honors, raising a National flag, firing salutes, and parading. Hon. Edmund Cooper delivered an oration, after which the command was treated to a dinner prepared by the
citizens. To thisdate the following changes in theregimenthad occurred: seven
men had deserted, thirty-three had died, and fifty-one had been discharged, leaving nine hundred and seven, of whom fifty were in hospitals. Early in July,
Major Mellinger, with four companies was ordered to Wartrace to reinforce General Barnes, who, having left a small force to hold the place, and gone in search of
the enemy. A few days later the entire regiment was ordered forward. A detachment of two companies was sent to Duck River with orders to fortify the
south bank, erect a stockade on the north bank, and protect the railroad bridge
at that point. It soon became evident that the position:must be abandoned, and
before the works were completed, an order was received to reduce them, and
retire with the regiment to Tullahoma.
Upon its arrival it was assigned to a brigade composed of the Fifteenth,
Sixteenth, and Nineteenth Regulars, commanded by General William S. Smith.
From Tullahoma the brigade proceeded to Manchester, where a detachment of
the Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry was engaged in picket duty. On the 8th of
August the regiment was ordered to Nashville, and upon its arrival encamped
on College Hill, south of the city. The enemy hovered about the Capital, and
made frequent attempts to -capture the place and destroy the railroad. The
regiment was sent by General Miller on the 20th, to the support of a party of
Indiana troops defending the trestle-work of a bridge near Gallatin, and threatened by a superior force. Before its arrival the enemy had succeeded in destroying it, but could not overpower the guard. It was, subsequently, again
ordered to Gallatin to the support of the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, which
had been attacked by Morgan's bands, but did not arrive in time to have a
part in the engagement. After remaining a few days it returned again to
Nashville, and was assigned to the Third Brigade, General Starkweather, First
Division, General Rousseau, Fourteenth Corps, A. M'Dowell M'Cook. The brigade was composed of the Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania, First Wisconsin, Sev*EXTRACT FROM GENERAL NEGLEY'S OFFICIAL REPORT.-Our expedition into East Tennessee has proved successful. We are returning with eighty prisoners, including a number
of prominent officers; also captured a drove of cattle and a large quantity of horses intended
for the rebel army. The defeat of General Adams' rebel forces in Sweden's Cove was much
more complete than reported. He escaped without sword, hat, or horse. We silenced the
enemy's batteries at Chattanooga on the evening of the 7th, after a fierce cannonading of three
hours. We opened on the 8th at nine A, M., and continued six hours upon the town and riflepits, driving the enemy out and forcing him to abandon his works and evacuate the city. He
burnt several railroad bridges to prevent pursuit.-Moore's Rebellion Record, Vol. V, p. 187, Does.