battle was over. That the reader may more fully understand
the important part taken by us I will give a few statistics taken from
official records: Loss of Sheridan's 2nd division 4th army corps, 1346,
the heaviest in any division of the army. Wood's 3rd division, 4th army
corps, came second, with 1035. Our 2nd brigade, 2nd division, 4th army
corps, lost 730. There were three brigades in each division. The next
brigade to ours in loss was General Hazen's 2nd Brigade, 3rd (Wood's)
division, 4th army corps, 522. That magnificent 15th Indiana regiment that
was in the second line supporting us, that came so gallantly to our aid
and so nobly stayed with us (see official report), went into the battle
with 334 officers and men, and of this number its loss was 199 killed and
wounded, the heaviest regimental loss in the battle. The three regiments
sustaining the greatest loss were all in our brigade. The 26th Ohio
numbered present about 150 and lost 36. Company E, 13 engaged, loss 5. All
of them had participated with the company at Chickamauga. Thus of the 32
engaged on September 19, seven were left, two of whom were later killed in
battle while with the company. James H. Smith was shot, a minnie (1 oz.)
ball passing through his leg while we were going up the ridge. He examined
the wound and remained with the company, the blood spurting from the top
of his shoes at each step until he was ordered to the hospital by Colonel
Young after the battle was over. No organization in the battles of
Chickamauga and Chattanooga carried their banner higher on the roll of
fame than did the 26th Ohio.

The following day, November 26, the two divisions, Sheridan's and Wood's,
of the 4th corps, were ordered to march to relieve General Burnside,
besieged at Knoxville. We were expected to live largely from the products
of the country (now largely exhausted). We had drawn no clothing since
leaving Murfreesboro in June. Our mules and horses were either dead or
unfit for service. We were short on clothing and transportation. We left
our camp in Chattanooga and saw it no more until January 18, 1864. This
was a memorable and a cold winter, with its historic cold New Year's day.
We marched through the day and part of the time gathered corn, shelled it
and ran the water mills, of which that country was plentifully supplied.
During the night, when we could, we built log-heap fires, and when the
ground had become thoroughly warm, we divided the fire, cleaned