During the Battle of Lookout, no Union troops reached the top of the mountain. Confederates began withdrawing from the summit at 7 P.M. on the 24th, completed the retirement about 9 o'clock, and by 10 P.M. had crossed Chattanooga Creek on their way to Missionary Ridge. Early the next morning, Gen. Whitaker, commanding a brigade in Cruft's Division near the Craven House, called for volunteers from the 8th Kentucky to scale the palisades at the Point of the Mountain. Capt. John Wilson of Company C, Sergt. Harris H. Davis and Private William Witt of Company A, Sergts. Joseph Wagers and James G. Wood of Company B, and Joel Bradley of Company I responded. They gained the summit unopposed and at sunrise displayed the regiment's colors in sight of both armies, giving notice of the result of the fighting of the previous day and night. The 8th Kentucky Infantry under Col. Sidney M. Barnes quickly followed and advanced to Summertown, finding the mountain evacuated. The 96th Illinois Infantry under Col. Thos. E. Champion followed the 8th Kentucky. When Gen. Hooker's forces advanced toward Rossville during the forenoon of the 25th for the attack on Missionary Ridge, these two regiments were left to hold the summit of the mountain and occupied the position until Dec. 2d.

Photo: Dale K. Benington

Photo: Dale A Dietrich

Photo: Mike Stroud

Photo: Mike Stroud

Photo: Mike Stroud

Photo: Dale K. Benington

Photo: Dale K. Benington

Photo: Dale K. Benington

Photo: Dale K. Benington

Photo: Dale K. Benington