Brigadier General John W. Geary's division of Slocum's Corps, with brigades under Colonel William R. Creighton, Colonel George A. Cobham, Jr., and Colonel David Ireland, formed the rear of Hooker's column in the march from Lookout Mountain on November 25, 1863. It reached Rossville about 4:00 p.m. and moved northward along the base of Missionary Ridge, with Creighton's Brigade leading, followed by Cobham's, while Ireland's supported five batteries of artillery. Near the base of the ridge, the division formed in column of brigades, with Creighton's in the first line, Cobham's in the second, and Ireland's still supporting the artillery. In this formation, the division moved obliquely up the ridge until, opposite this point, it turned fully toward the crest and scaled it about 6 p.m.