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f)FFICIAL REPOKT 
 
 MHIM or ClIlClvAMAKIA. 
 
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 RICHMOND; 
 ;• M. SMITH, rUBMC PRISTF.K. 
 

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MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. 
 
 Rtci^iOND, Va., May 19, ISGl. 
 
 To the Senate and House of Bcprcscntatii-es : 
 
 I herewith traD«niit, for your information, a cummnnicitinn from 
 the Secretary of V.'ar, covering a copy of the reports of Genenl 
 Bragg and his subordinate commanders, of the battle of Chick.i- 
 niaoga. 
 
 JEFFERSON DAVIS. 
 
 CoNKEDtr.ATE Statcs OF AMEr.rc\, W\R Department, 1 
 Rkhimnd, Va , May 19, lfS64. \ 
 
 To IIix Kj-relkncy the Prf!:)d-ciif : 
 
 Sir : I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information < 
 • 'iingrcss, copies of the reports of General Bragg and his subordiua; 
 commanders, of the battle of Chickamauga. 
 
 Very respectfullj, your obedient servant, 
 
 JAMES A. SEDDOX. 
 
 Secrdary of War. 
 
CEN S COOPER, 
 
BATTLE OF CIIICKAMAUGA. 
 
 RErOllT OF (GENERAL TJIIAGCJ. 
 
 Wakm SrKi.vcH, Gr.ORurA, December 28, I8G3. 
 
 General S. Coopkr, 
 
 Adjutant Gcnfral C. S. A., Richmond, Fa : 
 
 Sir : Most of the fiuborflin;ite reports cf the operations of our 
 troops at the battle of Chick.iinauga, having been rceeived, are hcro- 
 with forwarded, and for the better uriderstanding of the movemeiir« 
 preceding and following that important event the following narrativ.- 
 is submitted ; 
 
 On the 2 Hh of August it was ascertained certainly that the Fcd'^- 
 rsl army from Middle Tennessee, under General llosencranz. hi i 
 crossed the mountains ta Stevenson ond Bridgeport. His force of 
 effective infantry and artillery amounted to fully 8c\cniy thousnnd, 
 divided into four corps. A'lout th; same time. General Hurnside ad- 
 vanced from Kentucky towaril* Knoxville, K:ist Tennessee, with > 
 force estimated by the General commaniling that department at over 
 25,(V,1(). In view of tlie great superiority of nnwhcrs brought again'-* 
 hira. General Buckner concluded to evacuate Kno.vville, and, with a 
 force of about five thousand infantry ani artilKiy and his cavalry, 
 took position in the vicinity of Loudon. Two brigades of his com- . 
 luand, Frazier's, at Cumberland Gap, and .Jackson's, iu Northeast 
 Ttnnessce, were thus severed from us. The enemy having already 
 obtained a lidgmont in East Tennessee by another route, the con- 
 tinued occupation of Cumberlaml G.ip became very ha/.ar<loii9 to th- 
 garrison and comparatively unimportant to us. Jts evacuation v»< 
 accordingly orderedv but oa the appeal of its commanJer, f-tating hu* 
 resotlrccs and ability for defence, favorably endorsed by Major Gen- 
 eral Buckner, the orders were suspended on the Slst August. TL" 
 main bodv of our army was eacaujp'.'d near Chattanooga, wbibt t.-- 
 
Cavalrj force, mucb rcduccil and enfeebled bv long service on short 
 rations, was recruiting in the vicinity of Rome, Georgia. Immediately 
 nt'ter crossing the mountains to the Tennessee, the enemy threw a corps 
 by way of Sequatchie valley to strike the rear of General Buckner's 
 command, whilst Burnside occupied him in front. One division already 
 ordered to his assistance provin;^ insufficient to meet the force concen- 
 trating on hiru. Buckner was directed to withdraw to the lliawassee with 
 his infantry, artillery and supplies, and to hold his cavalry in front to 
 check the enemy's advance. As soon as this change was made, the corps 
 threatening his rear was withdrawn,-and the enemy commenced a movo- 
 i^ent in force against our left and rear. On the last of August it became 
 known that he had crossed his main force over the Tennessee river, at 
 and near Carpenter's ferry, the most accessible point from Stevenson. 
 By a direct route he was now as near our main depot of supplies as 
 wo were, and our whole line of communication was exposed, whilst 
 his was partially secured by mountains and the river. By the. timely 
 arrival of two small divisions from Mississippi our eflectivc force, 
 exclusive of cavalry, was now a little over thirty-five thousand, with 
 which it was determined- to striko on the first favorable opportunity. 
 *!)[osely watched by our cavalry, which had been brought forward, it wa,3 
 ?oon ascertained that the euerLy's general movement was towards our 
 lefUand rear in the direction of Dalton and Rome, keeping Lookout 
 mountain between us. The nafure of the country and the want of 
 supplies in it, with the presence of Burnside's force on our riglit, 
 rendered a movement on the enemy's rear with our inferior force ex- 
 tremely hazardous,, if not impracticable. It was, therefore, deter- 
 mined to meet him in front whenever he should emerge from tlio 
 mountain gorges. To do this and hold Chattanooga was impossible, 
 without such a division of our small force as to endanger both parts. 
 Accordingly our troops were put in position on the 7th and 8ih of 
 iSeptembcr, and took position from Lee and Gordon's mill to Lafayette, 
 on the road leading south from Chattanooga and fronting the cast 
 slope of Lookout mountain. The forces ou the lliawassee and at 
 Ciiickaniauga station -took the route i>y Ringgold. A small cavalry 
 force was left in observation at Chattanooga, and a brigade of infant- 
 ry, strongly supported by cavalry, was left at Ringgold to hold the 
 railroad and protect it from raids 
 
 As soon as our movement was known to" the enemy, his corps near- 
 est Chatt.inoogu, and which had been threatening Buckner's rear, was 
 thrown into that place, and shortly thereafter, commenced to move on 
 our rear by the two roads to Lafayette and Ringgold. Two other 
 corps were now in Will's valley, one; nearly opposite the head of Mc- 
 Iicmore's cove, a v»lley formed by Lookout mountain and a spur of 
 tiiC main ridge called I'igeon mountain, and the other at or near Col- 
 onel Winston's, opposite Alpine. 
 
 During the 9th, it was ascertained that a column, estimated at from 
 fjur thousand to eight thousand, had crossed Lookout ipountaip into 
 the cove by way of Stevens' and Cooper's gaps. Thrown off his 
 guard by our rapid movement, apparently in retreat, when, in reality, 
 wo had concentrated opposite his ccatrc, and deceived by tue informa- 
 
I from deserters and others sent into Li* linea, the enemy prc«»cJ 
 n his columns to intercepl us, and thus exposed himself indctail. 
 
 M:ijor General Hindffinn received verbal InBtnictions on the !Hh to 
 
 ••'^[>are his division to move against this force, and was informed that 
 
 ther division from Lieutenant General HilTs command, at L»- 
 
 ■ tte, would join him. That evening the following written orders 
 t> issued to Generals Ilindmau and Hill : 
 
 IIeapqi AUTERS Armf Tkn.nfssef., } 
 Ta* avd Gordon's Mills, 11 JJ-4 P. >]., Sept. 9, I«C.3. \ 
 
 )r General IIonMAN, 
 
 Commanding Division : 
 
 '•E>r.R*L: You will move with your division immediately to Davis' 
 s roads, on the road from Lafayette to Stevens' g»p. At. this 
 •t you will put yourself in (Communication with the column of 
 :,or:il llill, ordered to move to the same point, and .take command 
 the forces, or report to the officer commanding Hill's column, ac- 
 !ing to rank. If in command, you will move upon the enemy, rn- 
 
 ■ :ed to be four thousand or five thousand strong, encamped at (he 
 t of Lookout mountain, at Stevens' gap. Another column of the 
 liiy is reported to be at Cooper's gap — number not knona. 
 
 I am, General, etc., 
 
 KrNLOCH Falconf.r, 
 AssistnTit Adjutant General. 
 
 Headquarters Armt Tenneksee. ) 
 Ixe and Gordons MiU, 1 1 3-4, P. M., Sept. 9, 1363. \ 
 
 itcnant General Hru., 
 
 Commanding Corps : 
 
 ''E.vERAi. : I enolose orders given to General Hindman. General 
 
 i;:g directs that you eend or fake, as your judgment dictateF, 
 
 •!>urnc"« divisioa to unite with General Hindman, at Davis" cross 
 
 "Is to-morrov/ morning. Hindman starts at twelve o'clock to-night, 
 
 ' he has thirteen miles to make. The commander of the column, 
 
 ,= united, will move upon the enemy encamped at the foot of Stevens' 
 
 ' ' four thousand or fire thousand. If uriforesecn circum- 
 
 prevent your movement notify Hindman. A cavalry 
 
 - . . . accompany your Cfilumn. Hindman Las nrixie. Open 
 
 munication with Hindman with your cavalry in advance oi th*> 
 
 :."tioa. He marches on the road from Dr. Anderaon s to Davia' 
 
 •'■:-9 roa/la. 
 
 I am. General, etc, 
 
 Kl^I-'■•tII F»I/o?«ER, 
 
 Amirtont Adjvlan\ GmeiaJ 
 
 'n the receipt of his order, during the night. General Hiil Tf],::r-^. 
 
 .1 the trvovemcnt required by him was impracticable, as (.»ei.i:f-i 
 
 burnfs was aick, and both the gaps. Dug -and CalleU'a, liad Iteji 
 
blocked by felling timber, whicL woulJ require twentj-four bonrs for 
 its removal. 
 
 Not to lose this fjvorable opportunity, Ilindman, by a prompt 
 tnovcinent. being alrendj in position, tlie follow inf; orders were issui^''. 
 at I'iglit, A. M., (in the It'ili, for Miijor tteneral IJackner to move wr. 
 Lis two liivisiotis an'j leport to llindinan. 
 
 IIkaH TARTFRS Ar.MV Tkvncsbf.e. ^ 
 
 Ler and Cordons Mill, 8. A . M. [• 
 
 September V.k If5'J3. ) 
 
 Major General BrcKstR, Andtrsoii's : 
 
 Of.nkral: I enclose ordrris issued last nigbt to Generals Hill and 
 HiLdiuan. (jcneral Hill has found it impossible to carry out the part 
 assigned to Cleburne's division. The General commanding desires 
 that you will execute, without delay, the oidcr issatd to General Hill. 
 You can move to Davis' cross-roads by the direct road, from your pre- 
 sent po.sition at Anderson's, along which General Hindman has passed. 
 1 am, General, etc., 
 
 Gr.ORGE W. Brest, 
 Assistant AdjjXant General. 
 
 And both Hindman and Hill were notified. Hindman bad halted ] 
 his division at Morgan's, some three or four miles from Davis' cross- 
 roads, in thcCovc, and at this point Buckncr joined him, during th 
 afternoon of the WHh.. Reports full^' confirming previous informatii 
 in regard to the position of the enemy's forces, were received during t!i 
 mth, and it became certain that he was moving his three columns t • 
 form a junction upjn us, at or near l^afayette. The corps near Col- 
 onel \Viii^ton's, moved on the mountain towards Alpine, a point I 
 twenty miles south of us. The one opposite the cove continued its 
 movement, and threw forward its advance to Davis' cross-roads, aii 
 Crittenden moved frotr Chattanooga on the roads tt> Ringgold and L'^ 
 and Gordon's mills. To strike these isolated commands in suocessioM 
 was our obvious policy. To secure mere prompt and dec:ded_ action 
 in the movement ordered against the enemy's centre, my headquartcis 
 were removed to Lafayette, where I arrived about half-past eleven, j 
 I'. M . on tlip UUh, and Lieutenant General Polk was ord'jre.d forward 
 with his remaining division to Anderson's, so as to cover Hindman- 
 rear during the operations in the cove. At Lafayette, I met Maji.r 
 Nocquet, engineer oflicer on General Buckner's staff, sent by Gen; - 
 ral Hindman, after a junction of their commands, to confer with m-, 
 and suggest a change in the plan of operations. After hearing tli ■ 
 reports of this oflicer, and obtaining from the active and energet- 
 cavalry commander in front of our position. Brigadier Gei;eral Mar 
 tin the latest iiiformation of the enemy's movemcnta and position, J 
 verbally directed the Major to return to General Hindman and s:)-, 
 that my plans could not be changed, and that he would carry out hi 
 orders. At the sartie time tho following written orders wero sent '. 
 the General by courier: 
 
Headquarters Armt Tcnn^s^te. ) 
 iMJ'aydte, G<i., li, P. M., Sept. 10, KS6S. \ 
 Major General IIindman, Commandirig, etc. : 
 
 General: Headquarters are here, and the followingis thcinformi- 
 tion : 
 
 Crittenden's corps is advancing on ns from Chattanooga. A lavge 
 force fioin the south has mivanred to within sevcft miles of thispoiri 
 I'olk is left at Anderson's to cover your rear. General V'T^iiji ordci 
 jou to attack and force your way through the enemy to this point tl 
 the earliest hour you can see him in the morning. Cleburne Mill at- 
 tack in front the jnoment your guns are heard. 
 I am, General, etc., 
 
 George W. Brent, 
 
 Assutr.nt Adjutant General. 
 
 Order.s were also given for Walker's reserve corp? to moveprnniptly 
 and join Cleburne's division at Dug Gap, to unite in the attack. At 
 the .same time Cleburne was directed to remove all obstructions in the 
 road in his front, which was promptly done, and by daylight he was 
 ready to move. The .obstructions in Catli-tt's G.ip were also ordered 
 to be removed, to clear the road in Ilindman's rear. Breckinridge's 
 division, Hill's corps was kept in position south of Lafayette to check 
 any movement the enemy might make from that direction. 
 
 At daylight, 1' proceeded to join Cleburne at Dug Gap, and fotind 
 him waiting the opening of Hindmaa's guns to move on the enemy's 
 flank and rear. Mo.st of the day was spent in this position, waiting 
 in great anxiety for the attack by Hindman's^olumn. Several cou- 
 riers and two staff office r.s were dispatched at diff^jrcnt tim:s, urging 
 him to move with promptness and vigor. About tiie miildlc of th« 
 afternoon, the first gun was heard, when the advance of Clebnrne'a 
 division discovered the enemy had taken advantage of our delay and 
 retreated to the mountain passes. The '.nt ray now discovered hjs er- 
 ror, and commenced to repair it by withdrawing hi?< corps from the 
 direction of Alpine, to uni.e with the one near Mclx'more's cove. 
 lrhil^t that was gradually extended towards Lee ana Gordon's roiila. 
 Our movement having ihJB failed in its justly anticipated results it 
 was^Jetermioed to turn upon the third CoipAvf lli« eu'-aiv. aiipio»'-ii- 
 ilig nb from the dircclKin of (.li;iUHi.(Mig;k. Tck; ^'%^\:l■^^^<^r>■r,^ v^■nr^', 
 ingly withdrawn to L.if»y<tie, and I'oik'a and Waikera corps wie 
 movvd immediately in the direction of Lee and Goiiion's mills. 7h« 
 one coips of the enemy in this direction was known to bp divided — 
 one division having been sent to Ringgold. Upon ieariiing the dti- 
 positions of the enemy from our. cavalry commander in tb«t direcliua 
 on the afternoon of the I2ih. Lieutenant (Jrneral Polk, coain)a.adiiig 
 the advance forces, wag directed m the following note: 
 
 Headquarter"* Abmt TcKKEiwn, ) 
 
 Lnfnytttt, Ga., 6, P. 31., September 13. J 
 
 LicatenaDt General Polk : • 
 
 Gesekal ; I encloee yon a ^'"F'*'^^ ^^^^ General Pcgraa Tk't^ 
 
10 
 
 prcsente you a fine opportunity of striking Crittenden in detail, and 
 I hope you will avail yourself of it at daylight to-morrow. This di- 
 vision crushed, and the others are yours. We can then turn on tho 
 force in the cove. Wheeler's cav:ilry will move on Wilder so a« to 
 oovcr your right 1 shall be df-lighted to Lear of yonr success. 
 Very truly yours, 
 • Br.vxton Braoo. 
 
 To attack at daylight on tho 13th. Upon further information the 
 order was renewed iu two notes, at later hours of the same day, as 
 follows : 
 
 JIeadquart^rs Army Tenkf.pske, > 
 Lafaydte, Ga , 6, P. M.^ September 12, 1863. \ . 
 
 Lieutenant General Polk, 
 
 Commanding Corps : 
 
 Gkneral: I enciose you a dispatch maikcd " A," and I now give 
 jcu the orders of the commjiriding General, viz : to attack at day- 
 dawn to-morrow the infantry column reported in said dispatch at 
 three-quarters cf a mile beyond Peavine church on the road to Grays- 
 ville fiom Lafayette. 
 
 I am, General, etc., 
 
 Gkorge W. Brent, 
 
 jlssistarit AJju(a7it General. 
 
 IIradcjuakters Armv Tennessee, ) 
 Lnfayitte, Ga., iSeptember 12, 18G3. J 
 
 Lieutenant General Poik, 
 
 Commnnding Corps : 
 General: The enemy is approaching from the south, and it is 
 highly important that your attack in the morning should be quick and 
 decided. Let no time he \o?<t. 
 
 I am General, etc., 
 
 George W. Brent, 
 
 Axsislant Adjutant Gcn(ral. 
 
 At eleven, P. M., a dispatch was received irom the General, stating 
 that he had taken a strong position for defence, and reqiicMing that 
 fee should be heavily reinforced. lie was promptly ordered not to 
 defer his attack, his fi>rce being already numerically superior to tho 
 enemy, and was reminded that his success depended upon the prompt- 
 ness and rapidity of his movements. " He was further informed that 
 Backner's corps would be moved within supporting distance the next 
 njcrning. 
 
 Early on the ISth I proceeded to the front, ahead of Buckner's 
 command, to find that no .advance had been m:ide on the enemy, 
 and.that his forces had formed a junction and recros.sed the Cliicka- 
 mauga. Again disappointed, immediate measures were taken to place 
 (Jur trains and limited supplies in safs positions, when all our forces 
 
11 
 
 were conoentrat'^t^ aloag the ChickniTnn;^!, thrcatenin;^ the enemy in 
 front. Mijor General Wheeler, with two iJivisions oF cavalry, occu- 
 pied the positions on tlio extreme Icft.^ vacated by Hill's corps, and 
 wa3 directed to press the enemy in McLcraore's cove, to divert his at- 
 tention from our real movement. Bri;TS(]Jcr General Forrest, with 
 his own and Pe^ram's division of cavalry, covered the movement on 
 our front and right. Bil^adier General D. U. Johnson, whose brigade 
 had been at Ringgold holding the railroad, was moved towards Reed's 
 bridge, which brought him on the extreme right of the line. Walker's 
 corps formed on his left, opposite Ah-.^jandcr's bridge Buckner's 
 next, near Ledford's ford. I'ltlk's Ofpo.site Lee and Gordon's mills, and 
 Hill's on tbe extreme left. With Johnston moved two brigades, Just 
 arrived from Mississippi, and three of Longstreet's corps, all without 
 artillery and transportation. 
 
 The following orders were issued on the night of the 17th for the 
 fore s to cross the Chiek^mauga, commencing the m"vem«nt at si.x 
 o'clock, A. M., on the It^th, by the extreme I'lght, at Reed's bridge. 
 
 lIcADqfARTER.S AnMV TeNNESSF.E, >■ 
 
 In (he Fidd, IacVs Tan-yard, September IH, 1863. \ 
 
 CiRClLXR. 
 
 I. Johnston's column. (Hood's,) on crossing at or near Reed's 
 ^bridge, will turn to the left by the m'ist practicable route, and sweep 
 
 up the ('hirkamauga towards Lee and Gordon's milTs. 
 
 II. Walker, crossing at Alexander's bridge, will unite in thismove» 
 and push vigorously on the enemy's flank and rear in the same direc- 
 tion. 
 
 III. Buckner, crossing at Ledford's ford, will join in the move- 
 ment to the left and pres^ the enemy up the stream from Polk's front 
 at Lee and Gordon's mills. 
 
 IV. Polk will picfs his forces to the front of Lee and Gordon's 
 mills, and if met by too much resistance to cross will bear to the 
 right' and cfoss at Dalton's ford, or at Le Iforde. as may be nccegsary, 
 and join the attack wherever the enemy may be. 
 
 V. Hill will cover our left flank from an advance of the enemy from 
 the cove, an<l, by pres?ing the cavalry in his front, ascertain if the 
 enemy is reinforcing atf Lee and Gordon's milU, in which event ho 
 will attack them in flank. 
 
 VI. VVheeler's cavalry will hold the gap in Pigeon Mountain, and 
 cover our rear and left and bring up the stragglers. 
 
 VII. All teams, etc . not with troops, should go towards Ringgold 
 and Dalton, Georgia, beyond Taylor's ridge. All conking should bo 
 done at the train« ; rations, when cooked, will be forwarded to the 
 troops. • 
 
 Vllf. The above movements will be executed with the atrooet 
 promptness and persi^'rnce. ' . 
 
 By comrnT:;'! T (irrrrsi P-dacc. 
 
 GtoRfir. W. Breut, 
 
 A»ii*iant AdjuUMl Geitertl. 
 
12 
 
 The refittonce offered }y ihe cncmj's cavalry and the difiiCultiM 
 srieing fiora ihe bad and narrow country roads, caused unexpected 
 delays in the exccuiiou of tlii-i-e niovimtiits. Thoujih the coinniander 
 of the right column vas ecvtral times urgfd to prtss forward, his 
 crcpfinj:; was not cfTictcd until late in the afternoon. At thistime, 
 Major Uciieral Hood, of Lorgstrett's corps, arrived and appunicd com- 
 n:aiid of the column. Brigadier Lcneral Johnston resuming his im- 
 pjoviFcd division of three brigades. Alexander's bridge was hotly 
 contested and finally biokcn up by theeticmy, just as General Walker 
 secured posEcssicn. He moved down stream, however, a short distance 
 snd crosted, as directed, at Byron's lord, and thus secured a junction 
 with Hood after night. 
 
 'ihe movement was rc^uincd at daylight on the 19th, and IJuckncr's 
 corps, wiih C'heaiham's division, of I'olk's, had cros.«ed and formed 
 when a bii.-k engagement commenced with our cavalry under Forrest 
 on the extreme i i;. ht. About nine ocloek, a brigaile from Walker 
 was ordeicd to Forrest's support, and soon after W alker was ordered to 
 attack with his whole force. Our line was now formed with Bu( kijer's 
 left resting on ihe L'hieknm.Tii^a. about one mile below Lee ami Gor- 
 don's mills. Cn bis tight ciiine Hood with his own and Johnston's 
 divisions, with Walker on the extreme right, Cheatham's division be- 
 ing in reserve, the general direction being a little cast of noith. 
 Ihe attack ordered by our right was made by General Walker in hie 
 usual gallant style, atd soon developed a largely superior force op- 
 posed. He drov« ihem handsomejy, however, and captured several 
 latteries of artillery in most gallant charges. Before Cheatham's 
 division, ordered to his support, could reach him he had been presFed 
 luck to his first position by the extended lines of the enemy assailing 
 him on both flaiiks The two commands united were soon enabled to 
 lorco the enemy back again, and recover our advantage, though wo 
 were yet greatly outnumbered. Q'hese moveruents on our right were 
 in a direction to leave an opening in our line between Clieatham and 
 Hood. Stewart's division, forming Buekner's second line, was thrown 
 to the right to fill thij, and it soon beciime holly engaped as did Hood's 
 whole front. The enemy, whose left was at Lee and Gordon's mills 
 when our movement comm'ne<d, had rapidly transferred foices frc.m 
 his extreme I igbt. cl anging his entire line, and seemed dispo.=ied to 
 di.--pute, with iilllii.'- ability, oui ■. TVi t to ^riiti 'be iy:<ii. road to Chat- 
 tanooga in his rear. Lieutenant General Folk was ordered to move 
 Lie remaining division acioss at the nearest ford, and to assutne the 
 coir.mand in person on our right. Hill's corps was also ordered to 
 cross below Leo and Gordon's mills and join the lino on the right. 
 
 Whilst these movements were being made our right atid centre were 
 heavily and almost constantly engaged. Stewart by a vigorous assault 
 broke the enemy's centre, and penetrated far into his liijes, but was 
 obliged to retire for want of sufficient force to meet the heavy enfiLde 
 €re'wbich he encountered from the right. Hood, later engaged, ad- 
 vanced from the first fire, and continued to drive the force in his front 
 until night. Cleburne's division, of Hill's corps, which first reached 
 the right, was ordered to attack immediately, iu conjuuctiou with the 
 
13 
 
 fcirce alrea'ly enc^age'l. This vfitnran commanfl, unJcr itH gill int chie?, 
 moved to its work after sunset, takintr the cnetny cotnpleifly liy sur- 
 prise, (Irivirg bim ir\ great disorder for nearly .a mile, nn'l inilieting 
 a very heavy loss. Night found us masters of the grounil, after a 
 scri"-s of very oh-<tinafe contests witli largely superior numb.T't. 
 
 Fr'ini raptured yirisoricrs and others we learned with rertfiiity that 
 ve had encountered the enemy's whole force which had been ra )ving 
 day and ni>:ht since they first ascertained the direction of oar tnnrch. 
 Orders bad been given for the rapid march to the field of all reinf irce- 
 incnts arriving by railroad, and three additiitnal brigades from this 
 source joined us c-irly next morning. The rem'iining forces on •our 
 extreme left, east ot the Cbickamauga, had been ordered up early in 
 the afternoon, b'tt reached the field too iat; to pirticiptte in thn en- 
 gagi'racnt of tliat day. They were onlere I into line on their arrivil, 
 .Htid disposed for a renewal of the a(?tion e.x-:^ the next morning. 
 Information was receivfil from Lieutenant General Longstrcet of his 
 arrival at Ringgold and departure for the field. Fivs Bra-iU brigades 
 of his corps, about five thousand effective infantry, no artillery, 
 reached us in time to participate in the ac:iou, throe of them on tho 
 19th, and two more on the 2nth. 
 
 Upon the close of the cngag'^meiit on ths evening of tlic 13th,. tho 
 proper cominanders were summoned to my camp tire, and there rc- 
 .<-iv<-.l i^pecihc inforinatio.n anl in?ti notions touohi.ig the disposition 
 ':e troopa. and for the opBraiions of the next moiuing. The whole 
 wa:» diMded for the next morninc ioo two comiiandH 'and «•- 
 !*tgned to the two senior LicHtenant Generals, Longstrect and I'olk. 
 ' The fornricr to the left where all his own troojis were stationed, the 
 ■ r continuing his command of the right. I.ie^tonJini (rencral 
 .'Street rea?hiH my headriuarters abo-.ii eleven, V. SI., and imtne- 
 !y received his instructions. After a few hours rest at my camp 
 he moved at da,ylight to his line jn"t in front of my jiositiun. 
 I'jnitit General Polk was ordered to assail the enemy on our ex« 
 ". right at day-dawn on the 2(Uh. and to take up the attack iaauc- 
 ! .n rapidly to the left. . Tho left wing was to await the attack by 
 the right, take it promptly when made, and the whole line was then 
 fo he pushed vigorously and persistently against the enemy through- 
 its cxient. Before' the da^vn of day myself and BtaflT were ready 
 he sadlle, occupying a position immediately in rear of and aocef?- 
 • to all parts of "the line. With inrreaHng anxiety and dip»f- 
 ■ment I waited until after i^nnrise without hearing a gun, and «t 
 h dir.patch?d a etaff officer to Lieutenant General Polk to asoer- 
 • the cause of the delay, and urge him to a prompt and speedy 
 "ment. This officer not finding the g»ner»l with his troops, and 
 ning where he had spent thn night, proceeded across Aloxander'i 
 i^r to the east side of the Chickainauga and there deliverel my 
 -age. iVocreding in person to the ngbt wing, I found the t-T.op* 
 even prepared for th*c movement Mcs-eng-r* were imiD'di .telr 
 itched for Lieutenant General I'., k. and be shortly afi^r _j >ui<d 
 My orders were renewed, and fie (jeneml was orge I to their 
 , .-;npt exoruti in. iKe more important M the car was galutcd through- 
 
H 
 
 ont the ni^rht with the sonii'ls of the sxo anJ fallen timber, us the 
 en( my ituJustriously lahoreil to strengthen his position by hastily con- 
 etnicted barricades an<i brcaiUworks. A rccop.noissance unule in the 
 fioiit of our extreme right, iiwring this doliy, crossed the main rosid 
 to Chattanooga, and proved the important fact that this greatly desired 
 position was open to oar possession. 
 
 The reasons .issigued for this r.nfortunate delay by the wing com- 
 mander appear in part in the reports of hi:) subordinates. It is suffi- 
 cient to Siiy they are entirely satisfactory. It also appears from these 
 reports that when the action was opened on the right, about ten 
 o'clock, A. M., the troops were moved to the assault in detail and by 
 detachments, unsupported until nearly ail parts of the right wing 
 were in turn repulsed with heavy loss. Our troops were led with the 
 {greatest gallantry, ar;d exhibited great coolness, bravery and heroic 
 devotion. In no instance did they fail, when called on, to rally and 
 return to the charge. But though invariably driving the enemy, 
 with great slaughter, at the points assailed, they were compelled in 
 turn to yield to the greatly superior numbers constantly brought 
 against them. The attack on the left, promptly made asortlered, met 
 with less resistance, much of the enemy's strength haing been trans- 
 ferrfd to our right, and was successfully and vigorously followed up. 
 About two, 1'. M., passing along the line to our left, I found we had 
 been checked in our progress by encountering a strong position, 
 strengthened by works and obstinately .defended. Unable to afford 
 assittancb fiom any other part of the held, written orders were 
 immediately dispatched to Lieutenant General Folk to again assault 
 the enemy in his front with his whole force, and to persist until he 
 should dislodge him iVom his position. Directing the operations on 
 car left to be continued, I moved again to the right and soon dis- 
 patched a staff oflicer to Gtneral Polk, urging a prompt and vigor- 
 ous execution of my written orders. About foitr, 1*. M., this general 
 assault was made and the attack was continued from right to left until 
 the epemy gave way at different points, and, finally, about dark, 
 yielded us his line. The contest was .severe, but the impetuous 
 charge of our troops could not be resisted when tkey were brought to 
 bear in full force, even where the enemy possessed all the advantage of 
 position and breastworks. 1'he troops were halted, by their respective 
 commanders, when the darkness of the night and the density of the 
 forest rendered further movements miciMiain and dangerous, and the 
 nrmy bivouacked on the ground it had so galhintly won. Both flanks 
 having advanced more rapidly than the centre, they were found con- 
 froi:ting each other in lines nearly parallel and within artillery range. 
 Any advance by them, especially at night, over ground so thickly 
 wooded, might have resulted in the most serious consequences. . 
 
 The enemy, though driven from his lines, still confronted us, and 
 desultory firing whs heard until eight, P. M. Other .noises, indicat- 
 ing movements iifid dispositions for the mofrow, continued until a, 
 late hour at iiight. 
 
 During the operation? 'b^ the main forces, on the 19th and 20th, 
 the cavalry, on the flanks, was actively and usefully employed, hold- 
 
15 
 
 ing the encrny in observation and tlireatening or assaiiin;; him %r 
 occasion offered. From the report of Major General Wheeler, com-, 
 manding on the left, it will be seen what important service was ren- 
 dered, both on the 2iith and 2l8t, by his"coniuinnd, cpccially in the 
 capture of prisoners and property, and in the dispersion of the enemy's 
 cavalry. Brigadier GeEeral Forrest's report, will show equally galLinx 
 and valuable services by his- command on O'ir right. 
 
 Exhausted by two days' battle^with very liuitcd supply of provis- . 
 ions, and almost destitute of water, some time in daylight was abso- 
 lutely essential for our troops to supply these necessaries and replenish 
 their ammunition before renewing the contest. Availing myself of 
 this necessary delay to inspect and readjust my lines, 1 moved, in 
 soon as daylight served, on the 2 1st. On my arrival, about sanriso. 
 near Lieutenant General Polk's bivouac, I met the ever vigilant 
 General Liddell, commanding a division in our front line, wlio was 
 awaiting the General to report that bis pickets this morning discov- 
 ered the enemy had retreated during the night from his immediate 
 front. Instructions were promptly given to push forward our whole 
 line of skirmisher-^ to the front, and I moved to the left and extended 
 these orders. All the cavalry at hand, including my personal guard, 
 were ordered to the front. Members of my staff, in passing through 
 the lines ef our left wing with their escort, were warned of danger, 
 and told that they were entering on the neutral ground betweeti as an<J 
 the enemy. But this provbd to be an error, and OTr cavalry eoon 
 cauie upon the enemy's rear .guard, where the main road passee 
 through Missionary ridge. lie had availed himself of the night tO/ 
 withdraw from our front, and his main body was already in position*' 
 ■within his lines at Chattanooga. Any immediate pursuit by our in- 
 fantry and artillery would have been fruitless, as it was not decraeJ 
 practicable, with our weak and exhausted forces, to assail the enemy, 
 now more than double our numbers, behind his entrenchments 
 '1 1 '.Mgh we had defeated him and driven him from the field with heavy 
 :n men, arms and artillery, it had only been done by heavy 
 ices, in repeated, persistent and most gallant assault* upon snpe- 
 tior numbers .strongly posted and protected. 
 
 The conduct of our troops was excellent throughout the prolonged, 
 contest. Often repulsed where success seemed impossible, they never 
 failed to tally and return to the charge, until the last combined and de- 
 
 ■ termined effort, in which the spirit of every man seemed to couBpire for 
 
 ! success, was crowned with the reward due to each gallantry in a just 
 
 ^Cftoae. 
 
 I Our loss was in proportion to the prolonged and obstinate struggle. 
 
 ^wo-fiOhs of our gallant troops had fallen, and the number of general 
 
 ftnd Btaff»fficers stricken down will hen show how these troops were led. 
 
 Ilajor General Hood, the model soldier and insfiiring leafier, fell after 
 
 lOiitribating largely to our success, and has suffered the irreparable 
 
 loss of a leg That hi« valuable life should be spared to ui is, bow- 
 
 iTer, a source of thankfulness and gratitude. Maj'ir General Hindmas, 
 
 ighly distinguished fir gallantry and good condjrt. received a severs 
 
 •atasion, bat persisted in keeping the safldie until he wiinefB;:d tbs 
 
16 
 
 S'jccesp in which hia command largelj participated. Brigadier Gen- 
 erals B. II. Holm, I'reston Smith and Jiinies Deshla died upon the 
 field ir. the heroic discharpe of duty, 'i'hey were true patriots and 
 ^iilliict poldiers, tind worthy of the hiph reputation they enjoyed. 
 Bripidie'r Generals Adaras. Gregg and McN;iir fell severely wounded 
 vhiUt gallantly leading iheir commands in the thickest ol the fight. 
 Il in gratifying to know tiiey aie convalescing and will be again found 
 at the post of duty and danger. . ' 
 
 Judging from appearances on the£iiM, the enemy's losses must have 
 exceeded our own largely, but we have no means of correctly esti- 
 tnptiDg them. We CHptured over eight thousand prisoners, fifty-one 
 pU'COb of artillery, fifteen thousand stand of sraiiU arms, and qumti- 
 ties of ammunition, with wapons, ambulances and teams, medicines, and 
 faospital stores in large quantities. The accompanying maps, one, two, 
 three and four, based or. accurate surveys, will aflord the necessary 
 information for the correct understanding of the movements of both 
 armies. The positions of the troops, on the field are given mostly 
 from the sketches of their respective commatiders. The times selected 
 for indication were the morning of the 19th, when the action com- 
 menced — the morning of llie "2i'th and the evening of th.- 2 Uh, at the 
 close of the oprrations. There has been much delay in rendering 
 BOine of the subordinate reports, and none liave been received from 
 Lieutenant Gec^ls Folk and Hi!!, and only two from brigades in 
 L-Jiigstreet's corps. The absence of these has caused a delay in 
 r'.;'.king up my own. antl imluced me to defer fonvavdipg the others, 
 ht'ping ;oat ail jnight bi; submitted together. 
 
 ' b'or die many deeds of daring and aet" of lioroie devotion ohibited 
 onr this Slid reference is made to the subordinate leports. It will be 
 rem&rkeu that the private soMier is eminently distinguished, as he 
 always will be. in an army whore the rank and file is made up of the 
 bei't citizens of the country. 
 
 The medical officers, both in the field and in the hospitals, earned 
 the lasting gratitude of the soldier and deserve the highest commen- 
 dAtioa. 'Jhe great number of wounded thrown sud<lenly upon their 
 fc-.<.nda taxed every energy and every faculty. With mi-ans greatly 
 Miadcquoto, especially in transportation, they Roon reduced confusion 
 into order, and, by assiiluity and skill, aftorded to the gallant suf- 
 ferers that temporal relief fur which they might look in vain to any 
 Other source. In this connection, it is a pleasing duty to acknowlfdgo 
 in grateful terms the deep indebtedness of the army to the Hospital 
 R.lief Associations, whicli so promptly and so generously pressed 
 forward their muoh needed assistance. Under the admirable mimiige- 
 ineot of their officers in Atlanta, we were soon furnished with every 
 ccoassry and comfort, and stores continued to arrive until nftiee was 
 gi/cn that our wants were all supplied The officers of my staff, per- 
 scnalacd general, served me on this fitdd and on the arduous marches, 
 proceeding with their usual zeal, intelligence anci gallantry. 
 
 The whole cavalry force h-.iving been despatched to press the enemy 
 &nd cut cff detachments, orders were given for tho army to move to a 
 
 •1) 
 
17 
 
 point near the railroad and convenient to water, Rtill interposing 
 between the enenjj and* our large number of wounded, our trophies, 
 gnd our wounded prisoners, whose removal from the field occupied 
 many days. 
 
 (>ar supplies of all kinds were greitlj reduced, the railroad having 
 \ coustantlv occupied in transporting troops, prisoners, and our 
 irided. and the bridges having been destrojed to a point two miles 
 8ouih of Ringgold. These supplies were ordi^red to be repletiithe 1, and 
 as soon a? it was seen that we could be subsisted, the arinj was raovcd 
 forward to seize and hold the only com-uunicati'in the enemy had with 
 his supplies iu the n-ar. His important road, and the shortest by 
 half to his dt'pot at Bridgeport, lay along the south bank of the Ten- 
 nessee. The holding of this all important route was confided to Lieu- 
 tenant General Longstreet's command, and its possession forced too 
 enemy to a road double the length, over two rangrs of mountains, bj 
 wagon transportation. At the same time, our cavalry, in large force, 
 was thrown across the river to operate on this long and difficult route. 
 These dispositions, faithfully sustained, insured the enemy's speedy 
 evacuation of Chattanooga for want of food and forage. Possessed 
 of the shortest road to his depot, and the one by which reinforceraenta 
 must reach him, we held him at our mercy, and his destruction wai 
 only a question of time. The disastrous loss of these advantages 
 n.u t be the subject of a future communication. The suggestion of a 
 ement by our right, immediately after the battle, to the north of 
 Tennessee, an^i theiice upon Na.nhville. requires notice onlj 
 tc-cause it will find a place on the files of the department. Such a 
 movement was utterly impossible for want of transportation. Nearly 
 ' ''' our army consisted of reinforcements jjst before the battle, 
 out a wagon or an artillery horse, and ncirly, if iiot quite, a third 
 ■' e artillery horses on the field had been lost. The railroad bridges, 
 had been destroyed to a point souih of Ringgold, and, in all, the 
 i from Cleveland to Knoxville. To these insurraoutitable difficnl- 
 were added the entire absence of means to cross the river, except 
 rling at a few precarious points too deep for artillery, and the 
 known danger of sudden rises, by which all coimiunication would 
 it, a contingency which diii ai'tuilly happen a ftw days after the 
 nary scheme was prnpi:.^d. I'nt the luo.t i-cri jub o''jt-cii'^u .1 v'j9 
 • osition was its entire want of military propriety It aban loneJ 
 e enemy our entire line of communication, and tail open to hia 
 depots of supplies, whilst it placed us witn a greatly inferior 
 '• beyond a difficult and, at times, impassable river, in a countrj 
 affording no subsistence to men or animals. It also left open to the 
 enemy, at a distance of only ten miles, our battle fitdil, with thon- 
 e eands of our wounded and his own, and all the trophies and supplies 
 we had won. All this wag to he riHked and given up for what? To 
 - n the enemy's rear and cut" him rff from his depot of supplies by 
 route over the mountains, when the very moveuicnt abar, Jiirifd to 
 ■inmolested use the better and more practicable rout* "f half the 
 jth on the Booth side of the river. It ii hardly neceswry to aay 
 
18 
 
 the proposition was not even entertained, whatever may have been the 
 infereuces drawn from subseijuent movements'. • 
 
 I am, sir, verj respectfully, voor obedient servant, 
 
 BUAXTON BRAGG, General. 
 
 Warm Sfrings, Ga., January '2, ,1334. 
 
 G<?neral S. Coopeh, 
 
 Adjutant Genera!, C. S. A. : 
 
 Sir : I forward the report? of the battle? of Chicitamauga by my 
 aid-de-cainp, Lieutenant Ellis. Tlie maps of the battle-field have 
 been so long and so uneTpcctedly delaj'ed that I conclude not to wait 
 for them any longer. They are daily e.tpected from Daltou, where I 
 left them nearly completed, and will be forwarded as soon as received. 
 I am, sir, very rcspectfullv, your obedient servant, 
 
 I5HAXT0N BRAGG, Gmerd. 
 
RErORT OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL LONGSTREET. 
 
 Ih-.ADQUARTERS NEAR CnATTANOOOA, > 
 
 October, 1862. J 
 Colonel Georcc Wm. Brent, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 CoLONEi, : Our train reached Oiitoosa platform, near RinggoM, about 
 two o'clock in the afternoon of the 19th of September. As soon ai4 
 our horses came up. about four o'clock. I started with Colonel Sorrel 
 •nd Colonel .Manning, of my PtaflT. to find the heaiquartors of the 
 commanding General. We mir'sod our way, and did not report until 
 near eleven o'clock at nisht. Upon my arrival, I was informed th»t 
 the troops had been engaged during the day in severe akirraishinz, 
 while endeavoring to get in line for battle. The commanding Gene^ 
 ral gave me a m;ip showing the roada and streams between Lookout 
 mountain and the Chickamauga river, and a general description of oar 
 position, and informed me that the battle was ordered at daylight the 
 next morning; the action to be brought on upon our right, and to be 
 taken up successively to the It-ft; the general movement to be awheel 
 upon my extreme left as a pivot. I was assigned to the command of 
 the left wing, composed of Hood's and Hindman's divisions, an im- 
 provised division under Brigadier General 15. R Johnson, and Buck- 
 ner's corps, consisting of Stewart's anj I'rjston's divisions. The 
 artillery con.'isted of the battalions of Majors Williams, Robertsoii 
 and Leyden, together with some other batteries attached to brigades. 
 
 As soon as day of the 2tlth had dawned, I rode to the front to find 
 my troops. The line was arranged from the right to left as follows ; 
 Stewart's, Johnson's Hindman's and Preston's divisions. Hood's di- 
 vision (of which only three brigades were up) was somewhat in the 
 rear of Johnson's. Kershaw's and Humphrey's brigades, McLaw's di- 
 rision, were ordered forward from Ringgold the night before, but were 
 not yet up. General McLaws had not arrived from Richmond. I set 
 to work to have the line adjusted by closing to the right, in order Id 
 occupy some vacant ground between the two wings, and to make room 
 for Hood in the front line. The divisions were ordered to form with 
 two brigades in the front line, and one supporiing, where there were 
 but three brigades, and two sujiporting where there wore more 
 than tlirec. General Hood was ordered to take the brigades of Ker- 
 fhaw and Humphreys and use them as supports for his division, thaa 
 making his division the main column of attack. Before these arrange- 
 ments were completed, the attack was made by our right wing about 
 ten o'clock. The battle seemed to rage with considf rable fury, hot 
 did not progress u had been anticipated. As soon as I w»« prrpared, 
 I sent to the commanding General to suggest that 1 had probably >)''iter 
 make my attick. Bffore the messengpr returned, I beard triat the 
 commaniling General had s^nt orders for the division commanders to 
 ttOTc forward and attack. I had no time to find the officer who brotigkt 
 tLe order, m some of the troops were in motion when I be»rd of it. 
 
20 
 
 Upon this information, I at once issued orilors to attack to the troops 
 not already in motion, lidding one of Buckner's divisions (Preston's) 
 in reserve. As the battle upon our right was not so successful as hai 
 been expected in the plan of attack, I was obliged to reverse the or- 
 der of battle, by retaining my right somewhere near the left of the 
 right wing. To do this, Stewart's division was obliged to halt upon 
 reaching the Lafayette and Chattanooga road. Hood's column broke 
 the enemy's line near the Brotherton house, and made its wheel to the 
 right. In inaking this movement, Major General Hood fell severely, 
 and it w.-^s feared mortally, wounded, by a minio ball breaking his 
 thigh, lie had broken the enemy's line, however, and his own troops 
 and those to his right and left continued to press the enemy with such 
 epirit and force that he could not resist us. 
 
 Brigadier Geneial Law succeeded to the command of Hood's divis- 
 ion, and Brigadier General Kershaw to the command of the two bri- 
 gades of McLaws' division. General Kershaw having received no 
 defiijite orders himself, (being under the command of General Hood.) 
 and was not advised of the wheel to the right, had gained more ground 
 to the front than was intended in the movement of his two brigades. 
 Johnson's division followed the movement made by Hood, and gained 
 the Crawfish Spring and Chattanooga road, having a full share in the 
 conflict. 
 
 Major General Ilindman, in command of my left division, first met 
 the enemy near the Vineyard house, and drove him back upon 
 Lis strong position near ^le widow Glenn's or burnt house. By 
 a well-directed front and flank attack, he gained the position after 
 a severe struggle. The enemy's dead at this point mark well hia line 
 of battle. Ilindman was then ordered to move by his right fl;ink and 
 reinforce Johnson, near the Villets house, who was pressing forward 
 against great odds. 
 
 About three o'clock in the afternoon. I asked the commanding Gen- 
 eral for some of the troops of the right wing,*but was informed by 
 him that they had been beaten back so badly that they could be of no 
 service to me. I had but one division that had not been engaged, and 
 hesitated to venture to put it in, as our distress upon our right seemed 
 to be almost as great as that of the enemy upon his right. I there- 
 fore concluded to hold Preston for the time, and urge on to renewed 
 efforts our brave men who had already been engaged many hours. The 
 heights extending from the Villets house across to the Snodgrass house 
 gave the enemy strong ground upon which to rally. Here he gathered 
 most of his broken forces and reinforced tbem. After a lo'ng and 
 bloody struggle, Johnson and Ilindman gained the heights near the 
 Crawfi.sh Spring road. Kershaw made a most handsome attack upon 
 the heights at the Snodgrass house, simultaneously with Johnson and 
 Hin(iman, but was not strong enough for the work. It was evident 
 that with this position gained, I should be complete master of the field. 
 1 therefore ordered General Buckner to move Preston forward. Be- 
 fore this, however. General Buckner had establi.shed a battery of twelve 
 guns, raking down the enemy's line which opposed our right wing, 
 and at the same time having fine play upou any force that might at- 
 
SI 
 
 tempt to reinforce the hill that he was aliout to attack. General 
 
 Stewart, of his corpe, was also ordered to move against any such force 
 
 in (l;ink. The combination was well timed and arranged. Preston 
 
 dashed gallantly at the hill. Stewart flanked a reinforcing column, 
 
 and captured a large portion of it. At the same time, the fire of the 
 
 battery struck puch terror into a heavy force close under it, that we took 
 
 there al.^o a large number of prisoners. Preston's assault, though 
 
 not a complete success at the onset, taken in connection with the other 
 
 operations, crippled the enemy so badly that his ranks were badly 
 
 ken, and b)' a flank movement and another advance the heights 
 
 re gained. These reinforcements were the enemy's last or reserve 
 
 ps, and a part also of the line that had been opposing our right 
 
 iig during the morning. Tbe enemy broke up in great confusion 
 
 iig my front, and, about the same time, the right wing made a gal- 
 
 it dash and gained the line that had been held so long and obsti- 
 
 ily against it. A simultaneous and continuous shout from ihe two 
 
 iigs announced our success complete. The enemy had fought every 
 
 n that he had, and every one had been in turn beaten. As It was 
 
 list dark, I ordereil my line to remiin as it was ; ammunition 
 
 xi'S to be refilled, stragglers to be collected, and everything in rea- 
 
 .'«s for the pursuit in the morning. 
 
 Marly on the 2ist, the comraamlimg General stopped at ray bivouac 
 1 asked my views as to our future movements. I suggested cross- 
 
 • the river above Chattanooga, so as to make ourselves sufficiently 
 ; on the enemy's rear, as to force his wacnatidBbf Chattanooga — 
 :• ed, force him back upon Nashville, and, i|^^ should find out 
 .ispoitation inidcjuate for a continuance of tl^^iovement, to fol- 
 ' up the railroad to Knoxville, destroy Burnside, and from there 
 ■r'alen the enemy's railroad communication in rear of Nashville. 
 
 1 his I supposed to be the only practicable flank movement, owing 
 
 the scarcity of our transportation; and it seemed to keep us very 
 
 rly as clo3e to the railroad r.s we were at the time. At parting 
 
 inderstood the commanding General to agree that such was proba- 
 
 • our best move, and that he was about to give the necessary orders 
 r its execution. Orders came in the afternoon for the march. Thft, 
 ir of the right wing did not move until quite dark. I did not, there- 
 '". put my wing in motion till daylight the following morning. Be- 
 
 f moving on the morning of the 22d, McLaws' division was or- 
 
 rrd to follow the enemy on to Chattanooga. The remainder of the 
 
 -'.matid marched for the Red house ford, and halted about noon. 
 
 iring tbat night I received orders to march the entire command 
 
 k to Chattanooga, and moved in pursuance thereof early on the 
 
 i. Wc reached the Watkins house about eleven o'clock, A. M., 
 
 I proceeded to take up a line around the enemy's position at Cbat- 
 
 •I'Oga. 1 desire to mention the following named oflicers as dmtin- 
 
 .-hed for conduct and ability, viz : Miijor Gpnerals Hood, Buckner, 
 
 ridman and Stewart; Brig. Generals B. R. Johnson, Preston. Law, 
 
 ''peciivcly in command of division,) Kershaw, I'atton, Andpr»iiii, 
 
 icie, McNair, (severely wounded.) and Colonels Trigg arid K'dly, 
 
 ■ :h in command of brigades. Honorable mention should also bo 
 
made of Brigadier Generals Ilumphroys, Benning, Deas, Clayton, 
 Bate, Brown, Robertson and Manigault. For more detailed accounts 
 of the noble deeds performed by our gallant officers and brave sol- 
 diers, I refer you to the reports of my junior officers. The steady, 
 good conduct throughout the long conllict of the subordinnte officers 
 and racn which the limits of this report will not permit me to partic- 
 ularize, is worthy of the highest praise and admiration. I am greatly 
 indebted to Lieutenant Colonel Sorrel, assistant adjutant general, 
 Lieutenat Colonel Manning, chief of ordnance, Major Latrobe, as- 
 sistant adjutant and inspector general and Captain Manning, signal 
 corps, for their able, untiring and gallant assistance. Colonel Man- 
 ning received a painful wound. The movement of Stewart's division 
 against the enemy's reinforcements was made upon the suggestion of 
 Colonel Sorrel and Captain Manning. The result was the beginning 
 of the general break throughout the enemy's line. My other statf 
 ofEcers had not arrived from Virginia. Major Walton, acting chief of 
 subsistence department, and Mujor Keilly, acting chief of quarter- 
 master's department, were at the railroad depot in the active discharge 
 of the duties of their departments. Among the captures made by the 
 left wing during the day, were not less than forty pieces of artillery, 
 over three thousand prisoners, and ten regimental standards, besides 
 a few wagons, seventeen boxes small arms, eleven hundred and thirty 
 sets accoutrements, and th.ree hundred and ninety-three thousand 
 rounds small arm ammunition, wore collected on the field. The ac- 
 companying list of#asualtie8 shows a lose by the command (without 
 McNair's brigado^ifitom which no report has been received) of one 
 thousand and eighty nine killed, six thousand five hundred and six 
 wounded, and two hundred and seventy-two missing. Its strength on 
 going into action on the 2l)th was two thousand and thirty-three offi- 
 cers and twenty thousand eight hundred and forty-nine men. 
 1 have the honor to be. Colonel, 
 
 Very respectfully, voiir obedient servant, 
 J. LONGSTREET, 
 
 Lieutenant General. 
 
- ^^7^ 'f'/7^/i < < / 
 
REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL S. E. BUCKNER. 
 
 llEiiDQr.\RTKRS NT.AR CHiTTANOOGA, Novciuber 11, 18C3. 
 
 Colonel SoRRfL, 
 
 Assist'int Adjutant General T.rmgstrec'^s Corps : 
 
 ' "LONEi. : I hnve the honor to submit, incannection with the report*? 
 of my subordinate cninmanderB, the following synopsis of the military, 
 movements of Buckner's corps on the 18th, 19lh ana 2(ith Septem- 
 ber, 18G3: 
 
 The corps consisted of the division of Major General A. P. Stewart, 
 which was coraposo'l of Johnson's, Brown's, Bate's and Clayton's 
 brigades, and of the division of Brigadier General William Preston, 
 composed of the brigades of Brigadier General Gracie and of Colo- 
 nels Trigg and Kelly, of a battalion of artillery to each division, and 
 a battalion of reserve artillery, under Major S. C. Williams. Briga- 
 dier General Johnson's brigade having been detached several daya • 
 before, by orders from army headquarters, was engaged under its 
 gallant commander under the orders of another corps commander, 
 and did not report to me until two days after the battle. 
 
 On the morning of the ISth, I moved from a point on Peavine 
 creek, midway between Peavine church and Rock Spring cb'irch. un- 
 der orders to cross the West (.'hickamanga river at Thedford's 
 ford, after Major General Walker's division had succeeded in crossing 
 below me. Part of my route being common with that of Walker'e 
 column, my march was somewhat retarded by the encounter of tho 
 two columns, but notwithstanding this I occupied, about two, P. M., 
 with Stewart's division, after a brisk skirmish, the crossing at Thed- 
 ford's ford, and with Preston's division, without opposition, the cross- 
 ing at Hunt's or I'alton's ford. In this position, holding both banks 
 of the stream, I awaited the movettentB of Walker, on my right. 
 
 At daylight on the l.'^Uh. under instructiuns from the commanding 
 '■T»,\, I crossed my entire corps to the west bank and formed it in 
 
 ' "f battle — Stewart on the right, (o» the left of Hood's division.) 
 facing southwest, in the direction of Lee & Gordon's mill ; General 
 Cheatham's division, as I was informed, being directed to sustain me 
 in the proposed advance. About noon, when the enemy's attack on 
 Walker had been met, and Cheatham's division, which bad been sent 
 to sustain hiiu, had become hotly engaged, Stewart's division was de- 
 tached, by the orders of the commanding General, to support Cheat- 
 bam. For the operations of his division until he again came under 
 ay orders, on the following afternoon, I refer to the report of its 
 able commander. 
 
 In obedience to the orders of the commanding General, I remained 
 with my remaining division to hold the extreme left of the; line. 
 With this view I deplrycd Pre'ton's division on a line extending from 
 an abrupt elevation on the bank of the river along a ridge in a north- 
 """*t direction — the ffauks well sustained by artillery. Considerable 
 
24 
 
 skirmishing took pl.jce towsr.ls the right of tliis lino— the enemy 
 falling back in a southwest direction — anil the troops were considefj- 
 bly exposed to artillery fire during the day. Being informed by a 
 staff officer of the commanding General that General Hood, who had 
 advmced to my right, was h^rd pressed, and being requested to rein- 
 force him as far as 1 could, I inline liatoly, about three o'clock, P. M., 
 sent to his assistance the brigade of Colonel Trigg. The gallant and 
 successful charge of ihis brigade drove back the advancing enemy and 
 relieved the left of Hood, which was out-3ankcd and retiring before 
 ,the enemy's heavy attack. During the day both Stewart's divisioa 
 and Trigg's briga:ic had penetrat-id the enemv'a line and passed be- 
 yonii the Chattanooga road ; hut at night both were drawn back into 
 positions which would conform to the general line, whi^ h hail pushed 
 forward during the day's ac'inn. During the night of the 19th I 
 maieiially strengthened the position on the left by ctitrcnchments. 
 
 On the morning of the 2!lth, Lieutenant Ger<eral Longstreet as- 
 sumed con;niand of the li'ft wing. About two o'clock in the afternoon 
 he, in person, ordered me to conduct Pre.^ton's division, leaving one 
 regiment and a battery to hold the left, to the Chattanooga road. 
 Between three and four o'clock it was formed as follows : Graine's 
 and Kelly's brigades in two lines, at viglit angles to the road north 
 of Erotliertou's, and just in rear of I'oe's, commonly called the 
 "burnt house;" Trigg's brigade just south of Brothertoa's housc, 
 and supporting Williams' artillery. At this time Stewart was in 
 line, his left adviinced in front of Preston's right, his right recediug, 
 forming an obtuse angle with Preston's line. In his front was a 
 heavy breastwork of logs, on the summit of a slight ridge heavily 
 wooded and strongly held by the enemy's infantry and artillery. His 
 light liank was opposite the angle of this work; his centre, facing 
 towards the northwest, was opposed to the Hank of the work, which 
 was perpendicular to the road. On 3:ewart's right, in front of the 
 face of the work, ami parallel to the Chattanooga road, was Cleburne's 
 division, of Hill's corjis. Brigadier General Laws' brigade, of Hood's 
 division, was in line perpendicular to the road to the left, and slightly 
 in advance of Preston, and clo.se by the burnt house, (Poe's,) near 
 which was a battery of Hood'w artillery. A personal reconnoissance, 
 in company with the Lieutenant General con manding, showed aa 
 advantageous position for artillery in front of Poe's burning house, 
 from which point the enemy's main line, which fronted eastward and 
 ■was situated a little to the east of Kelly's field, was e.xposed to an 
 enfilade fire, or rather to a fire slightly in reverse. His right Hank, 
 as before stated, was thrown back at right angles to the road, and 
 was located behind log breastworks, in the heavy wood between Poe's 
 and Kelly's field's. As the enemy's right had been beaten back, it 
 had, by a convension on' this angle of their work as a pivot, been 
 gradually driven to sSHume a position also at right angles to the 
 road, his right resting on a chain of heights beginning near Snod- 
 grass' house, about a fourth of a mile west of Kelly's house, on the 
 road, and extending westward about one mile to the Crawfish road. 
 These heights constitute the southern sjurs which terminate Mis- 
 
sionary rilge, are covered with open wools, have a gontie but irre- 
 gular slope on the south, the north and the cast, ancl their summits 
 are fully a hundred feet above the level of the surrounding country. 
 • A little after fuur o'clock, P. M., under instructions from the Lieu- 
 tenant General commanding. I ordered Preston, with Grscie's and 
 Kelly's brigides, to support Ker-haw's brig'ile in t.he attack on the 
 heights near Snodgraas' house, sustaining him afterwards by Trigg's 
 brigade. Under the able direction of Hiig. Gen. Preston, the first two 
 brigades pissed Kershaw's and Anderson's brigiles. which had suf- 
 fered severely in the action, and, with great impetuosity, assailed the 
 enemy in his almcst impregnable position. Trigg, on coming up, was 
 directed to the left cf Kelly, and, joining in a siraultaneous move- 
 ment of Brigadier General B. R. Johnson's division still firther to 
 the h'ft, picrcefl and turned the eni^my's line, and', in copjnnction 
 ■with Kelly, Gracie and Robertson, drove him trom his stroug position 
 into the ravines beyond, whcie a l*rge number of prisoners were cap- 
 tured. For the details of tlxj* brilliant action I refer you to the 
 graphic report of P>rig.'vdier General Preston. While this action was 
 progressing, the Lieutenant General commanding directed Stewart's 
 division to advance and to ail the combined attick. I ordered, by 
 'i-s :uithority, Williams' battalion of reserve artillery to be placed in 
 ion in front of Poe's house. This was done under the immediate 
 rtion of MHJor Poitcr, my chief of artillery. About this time 
 ■neniy were moving reinforceinents to sustain his right, which was 
 jj;eriiig under the terrific assault of Prcrton. Williams, with 
 . n pieces of artillery, opmed upon this reinforcing column with 
 ructive effect, disposing it in every direction and silencing his 
 ■ '?ry. At the same time, Stewart assiulted the enemy's woiks 
 raptured a number of prisoners, who dared not cross the stream 
 ::re which Williams poured across their path. Stewart, in advanc- 
 : ;:. al.30 ihrcw forward one of his batteries, which joined in the fire. 
 .\^ be advanced, I conducted Darden's battery, of Williams' artillery, 
 i\e!ly"s field, but this battery, as well as Stewart's division, it now 
 g nightfall, was withdrawn into the edge of the wood, as we en- 
 r> nnffred in our advance the right wing of our army, which joined 
 in the assault of the enemy's works, and was moving in a direction 
 perp'-ndicular to our line of march. The continued cheers of tho 
 army announced, at dark, that ev^ry point of the field had been 
 gained. Stewart bivouacked within the entrenchments he had as- 
 saulted; Preston, upon the heights he had so gillantly won. 
 
 For the details of the action of which this report is only a brief 
 Bynop?i«, and a notice of individual conduct, I respectfully refer you 
 to the reports of the -division, brigade and regimental commanders, 
 »nd of the chief and battalion commanders of the artillery, which are 
 herewith transmitted. 
 
 To the gentlemen of my staff I am indebted for their prompt and 
 gnllant di«charge of du*y on every occa^iion. No- commendation from 
 me can add to the well-earned reputation of Major General Stewart 
 ^•nd his able brigadiers — .Johnson, who was detached and in command 
 of an improvised division, Crown, Bate and Clijton. They were 
 
26 
 
 wortlij leaders of the brave troops, nearly all of them veterans, ■wlinr 
 thoy eo gallantly led. Upon Hrigadior General Preston and his brij 
 ally commanders, Brigadier General Gracie and Colonels Trigg an i 
 Kelly. 1 cannot bestow higher praise timu to say, that their conduct 
 and example were such as to convert a body of troops, but few of 
 whom hail before been under fire, into a division of veterans in their 
 first battle. Stewart's veterans maintained the reputation they had 
 won on many fields. Preston's troops emulated their example an 
 equalled them in merit. 
 
 The recapitulation of the heavy los.?es sustained in both divisions 
 is a sad testimony of tho soldierly qualities of the survivors. Few 
 troops, who have suffered so heavily, have been victorious on the 
 field of their los.ses. But the result is only another evidence of the 
 invincible spirit -of our people, which, under the guidance of Provi- 
 dence, must finally win us our independeuco as a nation. 
 I am, Colonel, very rc.'=pectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 ♦ 8. B. BUCKNER, 
 Major General lattly commanding Barkuer's Corps. 
 
^'r- "/■'-■ /.;,, y 
 
REPORT OF MAJOR FRANK PORTER. 
 
 Headquarters Bucknf.r's Division. ) 
 
 Niar Chattanooga, Nuv. 10, 18G3. \ 
 
 To Miijor ^ViLLiAM F. Martin, 
 
 Asshtant Adjutant General : 
 
 Major : I have the honor to sulimit the following report of the ope- 
 rations of the artillery of General Huckner's corps, at the battle of 
 rhickaraau;^a, and consisted of Williams' battalion of four b&ttcries ; 
 ' yden's battalion of three batteries, and three batteries of Major 
 cral Stewart's division, acting vrith their brigades. Lcyden's bat- 
 jn was attached to Brigadier General Preston's division, and by 
 - order one battery was attached to each of his brigades. 
 As most of the ground over.which the battle was fought was very 
 kly wooded, wre could not see more than three. hundred yards to 
 front, consequently could very seldom use .artillery. For this 
 : ,.: on the batteries of Ma jor'General Stewart's division fired but a few 
 K fts, though they were left in exposed positiona and lost between 
 twenty and thirty horses. Twoof the batteries of Ley den's battalion were 
 engaged Saturday and Sunday, but owing to the thickness of the timber 
 - • i undergrowth continued but a short time. They were unable to ascer- 
 I the damage they inflicted. They suffered but a plight loss thera- 
 »(S. One of his batteries (JefTries') was held on the extreme left 
 the original line until the battle ceased. Williams' battalion was 
 t as reserve, and on Saturday morning was placed in position on 
 ridgo which Preston's division occupied. When Stewart's division 
 ' carried to the right of the line. Brigadier General Mackall, Gen- 
 eral Bragg's chief of staff, ordered that all the artillery that could be 
 spared from the corps should be placed in the position just vacated by 
 ' '■rcral Stewart. In obedience to this order. Major Williams was 
 'ted to post two of his batteries tliere, and remain to repel any 
 ailt that the enemy's infantry might make. He remained there 
 • ral hours, part of the lime under a heavy artillery fire which he 
 .'id not return, as our fuses are so uncertain that he would have run 
 the risk cf killing our own men by firing over their heads. He re- 
 mained there till about sundown, when he was moved back to his for- 
 mer position, where he remained till the left made its move to the front 
 and right on Sunday. He was then ordered to leave Baxter's battery 
 to assist Jcff"rieB in holding the bluff on the extreme left of the line, 
 and move with Lis three other batteries in rear f f Preston's division. 
 After getting to tho Chattanooga road, he was placed in several posi- 
 tions to check the expected moves of the enemy, but did not get into 
 action till about five, P. M. This was when Preston's division was in 
 the hottest of the fight, and the enemy was crossing the Chattanooga 
 road in large numbers to reinforce that part of their army holding the 
 kill to the left. Major Williams was then ordered to take position 
 •boot a thousand yards from where thcj were crossing and open fir* 
 
with hre three batterieR. Tliis be did, with great execution, silencing 
 the cni'niy's artillery, cutting off the reinforcements, and enabling the 
 infantry to capture between five and six hundred prisoners. All the 
 officers and men acted, whenever they had an opportunity of doing 
 BO, with courage and coolness. Enclosed are reports of the battalion 
 commanclcrs. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 THOMAS K. PORTER, 
 31<tjnr and Chi if of Arlilkry. 
 
REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL A. V. STEWART. 
 
 IIeadqi'artkrs Stew,*rt"s Division, ) 
 Near Chattanooga, Tinn., October lo, 1563. ) 
 
 Captain J. N. Gallaher, 
 [ Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 Sir: This division, constituting at the time a part of Buckncr'a 
 corps, with the exception of Johnson's brigade detached, marched, on 
 Thursday morninp. September 17th, 1863, from Lafayette, Georgia, 
 in the direction of Chattanooga. We bivouacked for the night on I'ca- 
 vinc creek, and resumed the inarch next morning with Bate's brigade 
 in front, Clayton's following, and Brown's in rear, the column taking 
 the direction to Thedford's ford on the west Chickamauga. Arriving 
 during the afternoon of Friday, the I8tb, within a mile or less of the 
 ford. Major General Buckner directed me to occupy the high ground 
 in its vicinity, commanding the approaches to it, but not to bring on 
 an engagement with the enemy, who were near at hand, unless neces- 
 sary. With the aid of Major Nocquet, of the engineers. Bate's and 
 Clayton's brigades, with their batteries, were placed in position on the 
 wooded heights, respectively, below and above the ford. Brown's 
 being drawn up in reserve in rear of Clayton's. The Eufala bat- 
 tery, Captain Oliver commanding, and Caswell's battalion of sharp- 
 Bhooters, both of Bate's brigade, opened fire upon the enemy, in the 
 direction of Alexander's bridge, who soon retired. Three companies 
 from Clayton's brigade were then sent across the stream to occupy, 
 ^89 skirmishers, a wooded hill beyond, and after nightfall his entire 
 ', brigade crossed. 
 
 Early Saturday morning, the 19th, the other two brigades passed 
 ; on, and formed in rear of Clayton's. The commanding General 
 coming up soon after, and receiving information that the troops which 
 had crossed the stream lower down had advanced and established their 
 lir.r in front of and nearly at right angles to Preston's, whose divis- 
 ' nd passed the stream above and was then on my left. General 
 ' 'ler directed me to move forward and form on the left of this line, 
 was done, Clayton forming on the lefc of McNair, whose bri- 
 constituted part of an impromptu division, commanded by Briga- 
 dier General B R Johnson, Brown and Bate in rear. Preston's 
 division was then formed on my left, also in three lines, all fronting 
 nearly or quite to the west. While in this position the Eufala bat- 
 tery (three-inch rifled puns) was sent forward by General Buckner's 
 order, a» I was informed, and opened fire on the enemy's position in 
 I front. The enemy replied with shell and round shot, wounding a few 
 of our men. A sabscqnent change, made also by order of General 
 ^Vner, moved ns a space equal to brigade front directly to the right. 
 : after making thi« change of position, and, as I supposed, near 
 II. Major Pollock B. I/ce brought me an order from the coromand- 
 'ienerftl to move to the point where firing had commenced, which 
 
3(1 
 
 reetneil to be a consi'lcrsMc disti»nco to the ri^ht and somewhat to tho 
 reur of us. IJeforc raoving I vrent to Goiierul l>ragg liimSBlf, who 
 va8 near by, in order to get more specific directions. Lie informed 
 rrio that Walker was engaged on the right, was much cut up, and tho 
 enemy threatening to turn his flank, that General I'olk was in com- 
 mand on that wing, and that I must be governed by circumstances. 
 Moving by the right llauk in the direction indicated, from half a mile 
 to a mile, wo arrived near a corn-field, beyond which the heaviest 
 firing was heard. Messengers were sent in searoli of Cener.il Polk, 
 but wiiliout success, and fciring to lose too much time, I deteruiincJ 
 to mcve upon the enemy across the corn-fipbl. Lieutenant W.'B. 
 l'vichuion<l, aid to (lencral Polk, confirmed me in this design. Ila 
 came up in search of the General himself, and told me th:vt, from 
 what he knew of tho nature of the groun<l and situation of the enemy, ] 
 a better point at which to attnck them could not be found. Accord- ■ 
 ingly, Jirigadier General Claj'ton was directed to advance, and it is but : 
 just to this excellent officer and his fine brigade to say that they moved 
 forward to this their first engagement with great spirit and alacrity, . 
 and in admirable order. Major Hatcher, of my staff, was sent with 
 them to bring me intelligence, ancl [ followed myself until overtaken 
 by an uid of Brigadier (Jeneral Wright, of Cheatham's divi^ion, who 
 informed me that Wright's brigade had been turned by the enemy on 
 its left, its battery captured and the General needed aid. Passing « 
 short distance towards the left, and meeting General Wright he in- 
 forn ed me that hi.-i brigade had fallen back, leaving his battery in tho 
 hands of the enemy. This, at least, was the substance of what he said, 
 according to my recollection. Brigadier General Brown was imme- 
 diately ordered to advance, and, soon after, it was discovered that 
 Clayton's brigade had obliqued to the left and was moving forward in 
 our front. After a severe engagement of near an hour, during which 
 he 8ustaine(i a loss of nearly four hundred officers and men, General 
 Clayton withdrew to ropk-nish his exhausted ammunition, and his 
 place was supplieil by General Brown. This gallant officer with his 
 veteran command advanced rapidly, driving the enemy before them 
 ceveriil hundred yards through a dense undergrowth and routing his 
 tirtit line, driving it back upon his second, which was posted on a slight 
 rid;3P, and supported by artillery. Advancing upon this line, under 
 » terrific fire from all arms, the enemy were forced from tho ridge, 
 whirh was occupied, but from which the brigade soon withdrew, in 
 consequence of a force of the enemy threatening its right. 
 
 After passing the dens) undergrowth mentioned, the horses wee 
 killed and gunners driven from several field pieces opposite the centre 
 and right of the brigade. Three of them, six-pounder rifled brass 
 pieces, were brought off by Lieutenant Anderson, commanding D:)W- 
 fon's battery, and two others by other troops of the division. The 
 left regiment (twenty-sixth Tennessee) also drove tho enemy from 
 nnother battery, three pieces of which were left between the opposing 
 lines, but were not brought ofl". Tiie brigade sustained, during this 
 engagement, a heavy loss in ollicers and men. It being necessary to 
 relieve Brown, Bale's brigade was brought up and received by the ene- 
 
31 
 
 my with as bot a fire as had successively greeted Clayton and Brown. 
 Attackinp. however, with their usual impetuosity, they drove the cne- 
 niy back, forcing him to witlidraw his batteries and to abandon one 
 -ition after another, losing and recapturing a piece of artillery, and 
 tsting from him the llig of the fifty-first Tennessee regiment, 
 '"right's brigade. Clayton's brigade beinj again brought forward as 
 i support to Hate, the two pressed on, driving the enemy beyond the 
 
 • ad leading to Chattanooga. Clayton's brigade, with a portion of 
 ite's, continued the pursuit for half a mile beyond this road, when, 
 
 cinsequence of threatening movements on the right and left, they 
 
 i'.il back leisurely about sunset, reforming on the east side of the road. 
 
 In these charges the fifteenth and thirty-seventh Tennessee regi- 
 
 ■ nta. Colonel Tyler commanding, captured four pieces of artillery, 
 
 'i Clayton's brigade, aided by the fifty-eighth Alnhama, of H.ite's 
 
 ( igade, (Colonel Bush Jones commanding.) captured three pieces. 
 
 I uiing the whole of these seTeral engagements the enemy's fire was 
 
 •ly heavy and destructive, and each brigade suffered severely, both 
 
 ( fficers and mea. Their conduct was most gratifying and needs no 
 
 use from me. 
 
 As the result of the afternoon's work, to which each brigade con- 
 tributed its full share, I claim that we rescued the battery of Wright's 
 igade and the flag of one of his regiments, that twelve pieces of 
 illery were wrested from the enemy, from two to three hundred 
 ^oners were captured and several hundred stands of small arms se- 
 tod and sent to the rear, and the enemy's line pierced near its centre 
 .1 driven back beyond the Chattanooga road. Among the prisoners 
 
 • .3 Lieutenant Colonel Von Schraden, assistant inspector general on 
 " ?tafF of the Federal Gt;neral Thomas. Of the artillery actually 
 T'tured, I am unable to ascertain ho,w many pieces were ultimately 
 
 ured. After night. Major Eldridgo, chief of artillery, sent four 
 
 • 'Cis and one caisson beyind the Chickamauga. 
 
 The men being exhausted, and night approaching, after distributing 
 munition. Brown's brigade was formed in front, facing the Chatta- 
 ga road; Clayton on the right and facing in that direction, as there 
 re no troops of ours within half a mile of us towards the right. 
 
 t ite's brigade on the left and in rear of Brown's. During the night 
 
 ■ rivmber of stragglers from the ranks of the enemy were picked up 
 I sent to the rear by ray skirmishers or pickets. I should have 
 ■ed that owing to the difficulties of the ground, its advantages being 
 igether with the enemy, it was found impracticable to use artillery, 
 iring the night the enr-my were heard constructing defences, and 
 Ting artillery towards his left. 
 
 After leaving General Bragg, as rr.entioned, I saw no ofScer whose 
 •ik was superior to my own for the rest of the day. Having been 
 arated from the corps to which the division was attached, a staff 
 ''cr was sent after night — the earliest moment practicable — to re- 
 
 ; rt to Major General 15nckner, who directed that we should remain 
 
 .:. position until further orders. 
 
 Karly the next morning, 2(ith. Lieutenant General Longstrect. who 
 1 ariived during the night, came to see me, and iLformed me that I 
 
S2 
 
 ■would receive my orders on that day directly from him, that the attack 
 was to commence on our extreme right at daylight, was to he followed 
 on the left, and gradually or rather successively to extend to the cen- 
 tre, and that I should mo.-c after the division o\\ my riglit or the on* 
 on my left hud moved, according to circumstances. Apprising him 
 of the fact that there were no trcops to the right, at least within a 
 half mile, he ilirected me to move something more than a quarter of a 
 mile in that diiection. This was done, Urown's hrigade forming oa 
 the front line on the crest of a slight ridge, and constructing a breast- 
 work of logs ; Clayton's a few hundred yards in rear, on a parallel 
 ridge, and liate with his left resting on Brown's right, his lino ex- 
 tending obliquely to the right and rear to prevent the enemy from 
 turning our position, it having been ascertained that the right wing 
 was a very considerable distance to our rear. My division was the 
 right of the left wing commanded by Lieutenant General Longstroet, 
 and McNair's brigade was on the left of Brown's. Subsequently 
 Wood's brigr.de, of Cleburne's division, was formed on the right, and 
 in pi elongation of Brown's, and about nine, A M., Deshler's was 
 formed on the right of Bate's. 
 
 In the meantime, a heuvy Cre was opened upon us from the enemy 'e 
 batteries in our immediate front, and but a few hundred yarils distant, 
 bv which some losses were C'ccasioned. At length, about eleven, A. 
 M., Major Lee, of General Bragg's staff, came to me with an order to 
 advance at once and attack the enemy. I informed him what order: 
 had previously been received, and that no attack had been made c: 
 my right. He replied that General Brngg had directed him to par, 
 along the lines and give the order to every divi-ion commander to uion i 
 upon the enemy immediately. Accordingly I arranged with Genem. 
 Wood that he should advance with Brown, wliich was done without 
 delay. Clayton was moved up Vnmediately to Brown's position, and 
 Bate's right thrown forward to bring him ot\ line with Clayton, when 
 they also advanced to be within supporting distance of Brown and 
 Wood. For several hundred yards both lines pressed on utider the 
 most terrible fire it has ever been my fortune to witness. The enemy 
 retired, and our men, though mowed down at every step, rushed on at 
 double-quick until at length the brigade on the right of Brown broke 
 in fonfu.-'ion, exposing him to an enfilade fire. He continued on, 
 however, some llfty to seventy-five yards farther, w lien his two rigiit 
 regiments gave way in disorder and retired to their original position. 
 His centre and left, however, followed by the gallant Clayton and in- 
 domitable Bates, pressed on, passing the corn-field in frotit of the burnt 
 house, and to a distance of two to three hundred yards beyond tho 
 Chattanooga road, driving the enemy within his line of entrenchments 
 and passing a battery of four guns, which were afterwards taken pos- 
 session of by a regiment from another division. Here new batterioj 
 being opened by the enemy on our front and flank, heavily supported 
 hy infantry, it became necessary to retire, tho command reforming on 
 the ground occupied before the advance. 
 
 During this charge, which was truly heroic, our loss was severe. 
 Several valuable oflicers were killed ai.d WvUnded. Generals Brown and 
 
'y^^/'A M,,, . 
 
. 33 
 
 Clayton were each strnok by spent grape, temporarily disabling tli9 
 former, and General I5;»te and several of his staft' had their hortefl 
 killed, the second lost by<ien<»r-il Bate that morning. After remain- 
 ing long enough to reform the lines, to replenish nmmiinition and ro«t 
 the men, the command again adviinced to the corn-fii>M mentioned 
 above, then moved by the right flank until it formed across a ridge 
 which extended obliquely to the front and Tight. The enemy wer» 
 Btill in position behind a br.-astwork of logs, a few hundred yards in 
 front of us, and iicneral Bm-kner cowing np, I understood it to be hi« 
 vtish that I should not therf attempt to go forward, but to await orders. 
 In the meantime a severe struggle was going on to the right and 
 left of the field, in orie corner of which, near the Ch;ittanoog% road, 
 Stood Kelly's house. 
 
 About five, P. M , an order reached mo, by an officer of General 
 Longstreet's staff, to move forward upon the enemy. Brown's brig- 
 ade, now commanded hy Colonel Cook, of the thirty-second Tennes- 
 eee, was directed to support the artillery placed in position on a bill 
 in the corn-field to our left, and Clayton'ti and Bate's brigades in tho 
 order named, advanced with a cheer and at a double-quick upon the 
 enemy's defences. The enemy gave way, utterly routed, our mca 
 dashed over their breastworks pursuing to the edge of the opea 
 ground or field around the "Kelly houae," where nc halted, capturing 
 three or four hundred prisoners, among whom was Major Beattie of 
 the regular army. A prisoner, bro'ight up before the charge was made, 
 Btated that the position was hehl by the division of the Federal Gen- 
 eral Revnolds. The Eufala bittery was brought up niid fired the 
 Inst shots at the retreating fie, who, being taken in funk by our attack, 
 fled from their position in front of the division on our right. 
 
 During the night and next morning eeveru.] thousarid stands of small 
 ..s, accoutrements, »tc , an'l a large qu:iniity of ammunition were 
 ilectcd by my division, a large portion of which was removed by 
 our ordnance wagons. 
 
 Oar total loss in the three brigades during Friday afternoon, Satur 
 day and Sunday, was as follows, viz : 
 
 P.Rir.Arr... 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 -s 
 a 
 
 9 
 
 S 
 lb 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 )!?2 
 »4 
 3 
 t 
 8 
 8 
 
 ].<W> 
 1,852 
 
 108 
 ?6 
 Si 
 
 00 
 C6 . 
 86 
 
 1 
 
 ) 
 
 1 
 
 42*1 
 685 
 
 r. 
 
 13 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 11 
 
 18 
 8 
 
 480 
 
 634 
 7 
 14 
 8 
 2 
 
 888 
 
 Bile'» 
 
 48.7 
 42.1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 •68 
 
 4,040 
 
 205 
 
 .|,4»<l 
 
 • 29 
 
 1.738 
 
 
 Amon^ these were scTcnd officer* of eminent worth and serricei^ 
 3 
 
34 
 
 irhose namea are mentioned in the reports of lirigaJo commanders. 
 I desire to express my high appreciation of Brigadier Generals Krown, 
 Bate and Clayton, and of their respective ccnimands. Representing 
 the three States of Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, they vied with 
 each other in deeds of high and noble daring. The Confederacy has 
 nowhere braver defenders led by more skillful commanders. It is 
 due to the several members of my staff that I should acknowledge my 
 obligations for their invaluable services, and record my estimate tf 
 their personal b?aring and conduct in the field. 
 
 Major K. A. Hatcher, A. A. General, than whom their is not a 
 store active or faithful tflicer in the service, displayed throughout his ' 
 nnual intelligf-nce, promptness und cool courage. Mujor John C. 
 Thompson, A. I. General, and Lieut. S. H. Cahal, A. A. and I. Gen- 
 eral, were conspicuous for their zeal and disregard of danger. Major 
 J. W. Eldridge, chief of artillery, discharged hio duties with energy 
 8)jd skill, bringing the artillery into play, on the few occasions where 
 It was practicable, with juilgment and success. My two aids. Lieu- 
 tenants Bromfield Ridley, Jr., and R. Caruihers Stewart, though very 
 joung men, and the latter under fire for the first lime, behaved with 
 commendable gallantry. 
 
 On Saturday, I was also well served by Mr. John E. Hatcher, a 
 volunteer aid, and private John M. House, a clerk in the adjutant 
 general's office. To chief Surgeon G. B. Thornton, and the medical 
 ij.spector, Dr. G. W. Burton, I am indebted for the good care of the 
 wounded, and the excellent hospital arrangements provided under their 
 supervision, and for their unremitting attention to their duties. Un- 
 der the management of Captain J. W. Stewart, ordnance officer, sup- 
 [.dJes of ammunition were always promptly at hand when needed, and 
 affairs were managed to my entire satisfaction in their respective de- 
 partments, by Majors John A. Lauderdale, acting quartermaster, and 
 i. D. Cross, acting commissary of subsistence, who are among the 
 rcoBt faithful and energetic officers of their branches of service. 
 
 My thanks are due to Captain H. L. Foule, commanding my escort, 
 and who acted as my aid, and to the officers and men of bis admirable 
 company for their intelligence, activity and zeal. I have never re- 
 quired a service from the company, nor from any member of it, that 
 was not performed to my entire satisfaction. In conclusion, I desire 
 to express lay humble but most grateful acknowledgements to Al- 
 mighty God for the signal success that crowned our arms. Greatly 
 outnumbered as we were by a. tkillful ami determined foe, our own 
 •trong arms and stout hearts could never have secured to us the vic- 
 tory without the Divine favor. Let all the praise be ascribed to Hia 
 Loly name. 
 
 Enclosing with this the reports of brigade and regimental com- 
 B-.anders, to which I beg to refer for details and for the names of those in 
 th?ir respective commands who entitled themselves to special mention. 
 I am, Captain, very respectfully, 
 
 * Your obedient servant, 
 
 ALEXANDER 1\ STEWART, 
 
 Major General. 
 
The cretiit of rescuing Carne's battery, of Wright's brigade, is due 
 to Brown's brigade. The flag of the fifty-first Tennessee regitaent 
 was recaptured bv Bate's brigade. 
 
 ALEX. P. STEWART, 
 
 Mnjor General. 
 
REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL B. F. CIIEATHAM. 
 
 oa, > 
 3. ) 
 
 IIeadquartkrs Cheatham's Division, Polk's Corps, 
 Army of Ttnrtfuce, Uamp Preston Smith, hffore Chatiimoo 
 
 October 2nth, I8C3 
 Lientenant Colonel George Wm. Brent, 
 
 Ass\st<n\l Adjutant General Army rf Ttnn(ssce : 
 
 Cclonkl: I bave the honor to report the ncion of my command lit 
 the ba'.tle of Chick»ni:iu^a, and in the subsequent afl.iir resulting in 
 the occupation of MieMioiiary riilge : 
 
 The division was compose'! of Jacl:son's brigaile, Brig. Gen. John 
 K.Jackson; Maney's brigaile. Brij^adier General George Maney ; 
 8mith'8 brigade. Brigadier General Preston Smith ; Wright's brigade. 
 Brigadier General M. J. Wright; Strahl'a brigade, Brigaiiier General 
 O. F. i^trahl ; Stanford's battery of four guns, Captain T. J. Stanford; 
 Carnes' battery of fuur guns. Captain W. W. Curnes; Scoggia's bat- 
 tery of four guns. Captain J. Scoggins ; Scott's battery of four guns. 
 First Jiieutenant Juo. Marsh commanding, and Smith's b.attery of four 
 guns. First Lieutenant William B. Turner commanding. 
 
 In filiedience to orders from Lieutenant General Polk, I crossed* 
 Chickamauga creek at Hunt's ford on the 19th September, at seven 
 o'clock, A. M., and moved my command by the tlink in a northern 
 direction, formed my line of battle, and awaited orders. 
 
 At eleven o'clock, A. M., I received orders direct from the General 
 commanding the army, through Lieutenant Parker, of his staff, to 
 move to the e.xtrenje right of our line, to the support of Major Gen- 
 eral Walker, whose division Lad been for some time warmly engaged 
 and ■who reported himself as being heavily pressed by the superior 
 numbers of the eiieuiy, -.vho, subsequent events disclosed, had or was, 
 •t this time, concentristing the liulk of his forces on our right and iti 
 front of Mnjijr General Walker's command. Moving rapidly by 
 the rifjht flank, I reached the road ieading from Alexander's bridge, 
 and lit once formed my command imraediaieiy in rear of ^^•ljor G^in- 
 cral Walkir's lino of halile, Jackson's brigade on the right. Smith's 
 in the centre, and Wright's brigade on the Kft, the whole liue sup- 
 port' d liy Maii'_v s and Str;ihi's l)rig;i le^, v^lilcli wric licld as reserves. 
 About twelve o'clock, M , 1 gave the onicr to advance, at the same time 
 notifying the several biigade cotMnam'ers that there was no support 
 on the right or left ilink, and, ;ifier proceeding about one hundred ind 
 fifty yaids, the line encountered the enoray advancing ra[)idlv in 
 heavy force in pursuit of the retiring columns of AL<jor Gen. Wiilker. 
 The left and cenire of Jackson at once, and in a few moiLcnts there- 
 after the entire line, becume engaged, and succeeded in checking the 
 advance of the enemy, and handsomely drove him back, wish heavy 
 loss, to the distance of about three-fourths of a mile, where he took 
 shelter behind his breastworks, and, assisted by the arrival cf heavy 
 rcinforcemcnta, checked tlie further advance of my line. Without 
 support either on my right or left, and after a severe engagement of 
 
MAJ-aE N.GEORGE H.THOMAS. 
 
37 
 
 two hoars, I directed the tbre<> biigndcs to retire for reformation, and 
 ordered Generals Manej and Strall to occupj snd hold the popition« 
 Tacated by Jackson and Smith and make no attempt to advance. 
 IJcuching the positions assigned them, Maney's and Strahl's hrif^ades 
 ■were attacked in front and on both flanks, by the superior numbers of 
 the enemy and forced to retire and take position in roar of Jackson'R 
 and Smith's brigades, which were moved forward in the position held 
 before the advance and on the right and left of Turner's battery. 
 The enemy, flushed with a supposed victory, bol !ly advanced upon 
 my line and, coming within short range, was checked and forced hack 
 in disorder by the well-directed dischnrgcs of shell and canister from 
 the guns of Turner's battery. I made no effort to advance my line 
 »ffer ibis success, for the reason that the enemy's dispositions on my 
 right and left flaik. and from information derived from prisoners cap- 
 tured, satit-6ed me that the entire corp.s of the Federal General Thomas, 
 reinforced by the divisions of Vancleveand Palmer, were in my front. 
 I deemed it prnden, therefore, to simply hold my position, aud await 
 the arrival of reinforcements. The result of this engagement of 
 about three hours' duration, against such heavy odds, with both flanks 
 exposed, was. that my commnnd i-uccessfully checked the advance of 
 the eneuiy, wiiose purpose scPined to be to sei;:e the crossing of the 
 Chi<k(im<iuga .it Alexander's bri'^tgp and Hunt's ford. This result 
 was attcndod with a he ivy loss (f officers and men, as is Attested by 
 the long list of casualues heretofore furuihhed to ihc commanding 
 General, and by ajimr-rous exhibitions of good conduct on the part of 
 iflBccrs and men. p-irticuiar raeiiiion of wihich is made in the reports 
 of the (■evcrdl br)g-ide commanders, which are herewith forwarded. I 
 cannot, liowevcr, forbeiir to refer to the important service rendered by 
 Lieutenant William B. Turner, commanding battery. Posted on an 
 elevation commanding the approach of the enemy, he use<l his advan- 
 tage with great effect, and di?pl.iypd a degree of efficiency in the ser- 
 vice of his guDs highly commendable to himself, his ofSecrs and men, 
 »i>d »ccomp!i«hed a result, the importance of which it is difficult to 
 estimate. Three pieces of Scoggin's battery were at the same time 
 engngcd, and rendered excellent service. 
 
 Jackson's biigade, during this engagement, took from the enemy 
 three pieces of bis artillery and sent them to the rear. Scoggin's 
 battery, of this br-gadc, in retiring, under orders, ha*! the horses of 
 one piece and one caisson disabled and left them in the hands of the 
 enemy. The piece and caisson were, however, subsequently rtcsp- 
 tored. 
 
 Wright's brigade, occupying ll)e extreme left of my line, after a 
 tharp conflict of Iwo hours' diA-ation, was found to be exposed to a 
 severe fire on the left flank and forced to retire. Games' battTy, doing 
 doty with ihis brig;»dc, afler losing one half of its men and horses, 
 was itbai.doned on the field, but the enemy was unable to rew.ove the 
 puns, and they wer^ recaptured, uninjured, in the advance of the 
 next day. 
 
 At fix o'clork, P M., the division of Miijor General Cleburne ar- 
 rived on the field, and, with my commaod, was ordered by Lieatenant 
 
88 
 
 I 
 
 General Polk to attack the encmj at once. Mj entire coromand ad- 
 vanced, under a heavy fire of musketry for about six hundred yards, 
 the enemy yielding unci j;ivin;» way to our approach. At this point, 
 orders were given to make no further iidvance and the firing abruptly 
 ceased, when my lines were reformed and the division bivouacked in 
 hue of battle. 
 
 In this night attack, Jackson's and Smith's brigades only, of my 
 command, encountered the enemy. Three hundred of the enemy 
 were captured by Smith's brigade and sent to the rear, and the colors 
 of the seventy-seventh Pennsylvania regiment were captured by Col- 
 onel now Brigadier General A. J. Vaughan, Jr. It was in this uight 
 attack that Brigadier General Preston Smith, of Tennessee, received 
 his mortal wound, from which he died in fifty minutes. At the 
 the head of his noble brigade, of which he had been the commander, 
 as colonel and brigadier general, for two years and a half, he fell in 
 the performance of what he himself, with his expiring breath, simply 
 said was his duty. Active, energetic and bravo, with a rare fitness 
 to command, full of honorable ambition, in perfect harmony with tl;- 
 most elevated patriotism, the whole countr}' will moura his fall a:, 
 do honor to his memory. Two of his staff, Oap'.ain John DontlFoii, 
 acting assistant adjutant general, and Captain Thomas II. King, act- 
 ing aid-de-camp, both officers of excellent merit, were killed within 
 a few minutes of General Smith. 
 
 During the night of the 19ih September, I was notified by Lieuten- 
 ant General Polk that the attack would be renewed at daylight. My 
 command was already formed and in expectation of orders to advance 
 »t the appointed hour, but, for reasons thus unknown to me, no ad- 
 vance was made until nine o'clock, A. M. When in the act of advanc- 
 ing ray line, I discovered that my front was partially covered by Ma- 
 jor General Stewart's division, and, communicating the fact in person 
 to the General commanding the army, was by him directed not to ad- 
 vance, but to hold my command as a reserve. No part of my ccm- 
 toand, except Jackson's brigade, was engaged in the active operations 
 of the 2(.ith September, until the hour of six, P. M. 
 
 About eleven o'clock, A. M., of the 2nth September, Brigadier 
 ■General Jackson received orders from the General commanding the 
 army to go to the support of Lieutenant General IIilI. For an ac- 
 count of the action of this brigade, whilst detached from my command, 
 your attention is directed to the report of Brigadier General Jackson. 
 
 At two o'clock, P. M., I received orders to proceed with my com- 
 mand to the extreme right of our line, where 1 remained until six, 
 P. M., when a ge.neral advance of tlfe whole line was ordered. Jack- 
 eon's brigade, on the left of Generals Walker, was -now actively en- 
 gaged, and his ammunition being nearly exhausted. General Maney, 
 with his brigade, was ordered to relieve him. Wright's brigade was 
 -ordered to form on Maney's right, and to advance with the entire line, 
 now in motion. These brigades encountered but slight resistance. 
 The enemy, now fiercely assailed at all points, yielded the field to ut 
 &nd fied in disorder. 
 
 At two o'clock, P. M., on the 2 let, I moved my command in the 
 
39 
 
 direction of Chickamanga station, ani bivouacked for the night near 
 the old Mission house, on Chicksm.iuga creek. 
 
 Early on the morning of the following day, I was directed by Lieu- 
 tenant General Polk to move in the direction of Chattanooga, and 
 arrived at the foot of Missionary lidgc at ten o'clock, A. M. I soon 
 ascertained that the enemy occupied the crest of the ridge in force. 
 After making the necessary reconnoissances, Maney's brigade on the 
 right, and Smith's on the left, the latter was now commanded by Col- 
 onel A. J. Vaughan, were deployed and ordered to carry the position 
 held by the enemy, which was done, after a spirited engagement of a 
 few minutes — the position found to be one of much natural strength, 
 increased by breastworks made of stone and fallen timber , but the 
 enemy, now demoralized by a succession of disasters, made bat a fee- 
 ble resistance, and lied in great haste. 
 
 In concluding this report, I beg to mention an act of daring and 
 heroism on the part of Colonel S. S. Stanton, of the twenty-eigh:h 
 Tennessee volunteers. During the engagement of the 1 9th, his regi- 
 ment, exposed to a close and heavy fire, wavered for a moment, and 
 Beemcd to be in the act of fallinj back, when the intrepid Colonel 
 Bcized the colors of his regiment and, rushing to the front, called his 
 men to fuUow him. Inspired by his heroic example, the regiment re- 
 formc'l on the colors and at once recovered the ground they ha'l lost. 
 Whilst the colors were in the hands of Col. Stanton, they were pierced 
 thirty times by the enemy's balls. 
 
 The officers of my staff, Major James D. Porter, Jr., assistant ad- 
 jutant general; Major John Ingraic, assistant adjutant general ; Ma- 
 jor Melanchcn Smith, chief of artillery ; Major Joseph Vaulx, Jr., 
 assistant adjutant general ; Captain Thomas F. Henry, assistant in- 
 spector general ; Ur. F. Rice, chief surgeon ; Lieutenant F. II. Mc- 
 Nairy, aid-ile-camp ; Lieutenant J. Webb Smith, aiJ-de-camp ; Ma-, 
 jor S. II. Brooks and A. L. Ilobertson, volunt-jer aids-de-camp ; Maj, 
 John A. Cheatham, chief of ordnance ; Maj G. V. Young, chief quar- 
 termaster ; Major B. J. Butler, chief commissary, all .leserve honor- 
 able mention for the proper perfirmance of the duties assigned them. 
 
 My escort, company G, seco^ Georgia cavalry. Captain T. M. 
 Merritt, were, under my orders, employed in collecting the small 
 arms abandened by the enemy, an<l deserve honorable mention for the 
 industrious performance of their duty. 
 
 Ilespectfully, Colonel, your obedient servant, 
 
 B. F. CUEATHAM, 
 Major Gtntral Commanding. 
 
REPORT OF MAJOK GENRUAL JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE 
 
 Headquarters BRtc:i;."«sini;i.'s Divi^iox, Hii.i.'s Corps, ) 
 
 October, 1363. ) 
 
 Lienteoaat Colonel Akcjik.k A>:>j.njoN, 
 
 Asrt.-tani Adjutant Goieral : 
 
 CoLONFt : I have the hooor to report the opevntions of my division 
 itJ the battle of Cbickatnauga, on the 1 9th and 2iUh of Scpte:nber 
 laet : 
 
 ■ It ■^as coinpofed of the second, fourth, sixth and ninth Kentucky, 
 »nd fortv-fir^t Alabama refiimetitfl. with Cobb's battery, under thd 
 eommend of liiiqadier General B II. Helm; the tl.irteeiith, twen- 
 tieth, sixtoenib, twenty-fifth .snd nirieteenth Lonisiima, tbirty-Ferond 
 Alabama and Austin's battalion of sharpshooters, vith t^locomb's bat- 
 tery, (fifth Washington artillery.) under the command of Rrigadiet 
 Gener.il Daniel Aditins ; the fir.-t, third and fourth Floriila, fortyi 
 eerenth Geov;;i.i arid si.\tioth North Carolina re^'iments, with Mabane'4 
 batvery, under the coinmnnd of j-irigadier (.Jcneral M. A. Stovall'. 
 My effective stre7:gth wa?. of enlisted men, three thousand three 
 tundred and ninety-five. Total, three thousand seven hundred and 
 siz'y-niiie. 
 
 At dRvlight of the 18th ray command njovcd from Cntlelt'a gap 
 iJnd tbut neighborhood, in the PigC'.'in mountain, and the same nfier- 
 jiDor. tock position on the east barik of the Chii:i-;ainauga, near Class' 
 cjills, and composed the extreme lift of the infantry of tlie aviny, I 
 immediately threw the second Ker.tucky acrifis the ford to skirmish 
 »ith the enemy and ixveal his position, the aixth Ke!\tucky being 
 placed in close supporting distance at the mill. Adams' brigade was 
 flsnt, by order of Lieutenant General Hill, to a ford a mile anda- 
 half above, where tbe enemy, as the ca\alry reported, thrc.itened to 
 cross. It was so late when these dispositions were made that nothing 
 eatisfactory was developed that nighi: 
 
 On the morning of the 10th Slocomb, with four gnna, Cobb, with 
 two, and the remainder of Helm's brigade were moved across Glass' 
 ford to ascertain the position of the enemy, while the two rifled 
 pieces of ISlocomb's battery, unilcr Lieutenant Vaught, took position 
 on a bluff upon the east side of the stream. An artillery enga,c;e- 
 ment ensued, much to our advantage, until the enem^, who occupied 
 the better position, brought forward a number of heavy guns and 
 f-howed the greater weight of metal, ^'bile the engagement was pro- 
 {^ressing, I received an order from Lieutenant General Uill to with- 
 draw my command, if ii could be done without too great peril, and 
 take position ubout three miles south of Lee k Gordon's mill, on the 
 •ryad leading from Chattanooga to Lafayette, and so as to cover the 
 ftpproach to that road from Glass' mill and the ford above, leaving a 
 regiment and section of artillery to ob.iervo those crossings. 
 
 The movement was made in good order, Colonel Dilworth, with the 
 
41 
 
 Srf-t !)n'l tbir(1 (connolidate'l^ Flori'l.i nnd a 8<'Ciion of Cohb"s hattcry, 
 being left in observation. Our ca^u^liies, whir-h fell upon Slucomb, 
 Cobb nnd Helm, were tnctity-tTiO killefl and wounde'l. The logs of 
 'he enemj in liilleJ alone, as ehown by an examination of the frround 
 after the Suth, was nearlj equal to the sum of our casunltics. 
 Aithou>;h the eni^roj was in considerable strength at the fords above 
 referred to, the result showed that it was a coverinij force to columns 
 paseinp down the valley to unite with the centre and left of his army. 
 Soon after taking up the r;cw po.sition, I va? ordered to relievQ Brig- 
 adier Gi^nernl F.-itton Anderson's division, which wic facing the enemy 
 opposite Tice fi Gordon's mill. The troops ir.arelied riipiiny. yet it 
 w»!< late in the afternoon before this movement was completed. The 
 division was hardly in position when I received an order from the 
 OenerMl commanding the army to move to the right, cross the Cbiek- 
 •ntDB'iga at a poitit fu"ther down ar.d occupy a po!<itioii to be indicated. 
 The division crossed at Alexftnder's bridge, and arrivins;, b<'lweeii ten 
 •od eleven o'clock at night, at a field a1>out a mile and a half in tear 
 of the right of o;ir line of battle, bivouacked there by order of I ieu- 
 tensiit •ieoeral I'olk. Rctrisining some time at Lieutenant Cieneral 
 Ptdk's camp-fire, I k-fi there two hon;> biffore doylight (ih'- 2nth) to 
 place my conutiand in position. During the night G'-iiersI I'olk in- 
 formed me that J w:is to prolong the line of battle up-^n the right of 
 
 M.ijrtr Gutfra! Cleburne, ('.'iidurtnj hy M>jor . of liis stiflT, 
 
 and Lieiiten»i-t Reid, aid-de-catrp to Gpn'-ml Hill, my division 
 teacheti f'lebuMie'p light a little after linybrcjik. I'pon the te-wiljnst- 
 Di lit of hih H'le. I foro.od en his light r.nd b<'csine the extreme ligbt 
 &f the gtneral line of b.ittie. Ueiu w>is on the left of my line, Sto- 
 Tsll in the centre. ar.d A lams on thi- right, the last extending across 
 « country ror\d lejtding fi irj Ried't- bridge and i^triking the (Jbstta^ 
 r . '•/A road at a place cailed (ilrnn't. f;irm. The country w;is wooded, 
 i =mall openings, and the ground urkr.oun to me. Cor •^kinni.'-h- 
 1 few huiidred yards in advance, confronted those of the eneioy. 
 Our line *S8 supjiosed to be parallel to tbi ("Chattanooga r'lad. 
 
 Pood after Pur.rise, 1 received a note from Lieutenant General Polk 
 
 ■ling mo to advance, and about the satne time J^^lj t Genet al 
 
 urne. who ha| penei; to be with rac. recfived one of tho same 
 
 ifwr LieatiTi.int General Hill having arrived, th'5 notes acre placed 
 
 in hifl hands. Py b;s order, the m< venieot was deJHved for the troopi 
 
 to gel their raiions. and on oth/»r accounts. 
 
 Pilworth, who had been relieved by a cavalry fore late the pre- 
 cejJing evening and who had marched sil night, now ariived and took 
 i btr p1»ce in litre. 
 
 ' At half past tin". A M., by order of Lientenarit General Hill. I 
 
 "i my di»isiou forward in search of the enemy. At the <ii«;ance 
 
 ■ ren hundred yards ve came upon him in force, and the battle 
 
 - ^1 by Ilelro's bngide with great fnty. The second and 
 
 tucky, with three comjanies of the forty-first Alabama, 
 
 .. "d the left of m line of breastworks before reaching the 
 
 ;inoog» road and, though assailing ihero with grent courage, 
 
 ^ compelled to psase. From tome caoae, the line on mj left h>4 
 
4S 
 
 not Bflvanced simultaneously with my division, and in consequence, 
 from the form of the enemy's works, these brave troops were, in ail- 
 dition to the fire in front, subjected to a severe enfiinding fire from 
 the left. Twice they renewed the assault with the utn1o^t resolution, 
 but were too weak to storm the posilioti. The rest of Helm's briga'l' 
 in whose front there were no woods, after a short, but sharp euga;:' 
 ment, routed a line of the enemy, pursued it across the Chattinooi^a 
 road, and captured a section of artiilerj posted in the centre of th« 
 road. ■ This portion of the brigade was now brought under a heavy 
 front and enfilading fire, and, being separated from its leftand without 
 support, 1 ordered Colonel Joseph II. Lewis, of the si-xth Kentucljy, 
 who succeeded to the command upon the fall of General Ilehn, to 
 withdraw the troops some two hundred yards to the rear, to reunite 
 the brigade and change his front slightly, to meet the new order of 
 things by throwing forward his right and retiring his left. The move- 
 ment was made without panic or confusion. 
 
 Tliis was one of the bloodiest encounters of the day. Here Gen. 
 Helm, ever ready for action and endeared to his command by his 
 many virtues, received a mortal wound, while in the heroic discharge 
 of his duty. Colonel Ilewitt, of the second Kentucky, was killed, 
 acting gallantly, at the head of his regiment. Captain .Maderia, Cap- 
 tain iiogcrs, and Captain Leedman, of the second; Captain Daniel, of 
 the ninth Kentucky, and many other officers and men, met their 
 deaths before the enemy's works ; while Colonel Nuckols, of the fourth 
 Kentucky, Colonel Caldwell, of the ninth, and many more officers 
 and men, were wounded. 
 
 In the meantime, .A.dams and Stovall advanced steadily, driving 
 back two lines of skirmishers. Stovall halted at the Chattanooga 
 road. Adams, after dispersing a regiment and capturing a battery, 
 crossed the road at Glenn's farm, and halted a short distance beyond, 
 in an open field. When Helm's brigade was checked, and I had given 
 Colonel Lewis orders in reference to his new position, I rode to the 
 commands of Adams and Stovall on the right. It was now evident 
 from the comparatively sliglit resistance they had encountered, and 
 the fact that they were not threatened in front, that our line had 
 extended beyond the enemy's left. I at once ordered these brigades 
 to cliange front perpendicular to the original line of battle, and with 
 the left of Adams, and the right of Stovall resting on the Chattanooga 
 road, to advance upon the flank of the enemy. Slocomb's battery, 
 which had previously done good service, was posted on favorable 
 ground on the west of the road to support the movement. The brig- 
 ades advanced in fine order over a fiild, and entered -the woods be- 
 yond. Stovall soon encountered the extreme left of the enemy's 
 works, which, retiring from the general north and south direction of 
 bis entrenchments, extended westwardly nearly to the Chattanooga 
 road. After a severe and well contested conflict, he was checked and 
 forced to retire. Adams, on the west of the road, met two lines of the 
 enemy, who had improved the short time to bring up reinforcements 
 and reform nearly at a right angle to the troops in his main lino of 
 works. 
 
43 
 
 The first line was routed, but it was found irapoBsible to break the 
 Becond, aided a? it was by artillery, and after a sanguinary contest, 
 which reflected high honor on the brigade, it was forced back in some 
 confusion. Here General Adams, who is as remarkable for his judg- 
 ment on the field as f<jr his courage, was severely wounded and fell 
 into the hands of the enemy. Among the casualties, Lieutenant 
 Colonel Turner, of the nineteenth Louisiana, was wounded, and the 
 gallant M.ijor Cutler, of the same regiment, was killed. 
 
 Stovall had gained a point beyond the nn;^le of the enemy's main 
 line of works. Adams had advanceil still farther, being actuallj^ in 
 rear of his entrenchments. A good supporting line to my division 
 at this moment would probably have produced decisive results. As 
 it was, the engagement on our right had inflicted on the enemy heavy 
 losses, and compelled him to weaken other parts of his line to hold 
 his vital point. Adams' brigade reformed behind Slocorab's battery, 
 which repulsed the enemy by a rapid and well-directed fire, rendering 
 on tnis occasion important and distinguished servicps. 
 
 By order of Lieutenant General Hill, my division was withdrawn 
 a short distance to recruit, while the troops of Major General Walker 
 engaged the enemy. 5Iy new line was about .<ix hundred yards in 
 advance of the position on which I first fornied in the morning, with 
 a slight change of direction, which brought my right relatively nearer 
 to the Chattanooga road. 
 
 Soon after taking this position, an attack was reported on our right 
 flank. It proved to be Granger's corps coming up from Rossville, 
 and threatening our right with a part of his force. At the request 
 of Brigadier General Forrest, I sent him a section of Cohb's battery, 
 under the command of Lieutenant Gracey, who assisted hatidsomely 
 in repelling the enemy. 
 
 At the request of the brigade commanders, the artillery of the di vis- 
 had been ordered to report to the brigades with which they were ac- 
 cu«tomed to serve. Cobb's battery, from the nature of the ground, 
 could not participate to its accustomed extent, yet, as opportunity af- 
 forded, it displayed its accustomed gallantry. The excellent battery 
 of Captain Mabane, for the same reason, was able to take little part in 
 the action. 
 
 The afternoon was waning and the enemy still obstinately con- 
 fronted us in his entrenchments. 1 received permission from Lieu- 
 tenant General Hill to make another charge. A line of troops on 
 my right, and covering a part of my front, advanced at the same 
 time. A portion of these troops obliqued to the right, and my line 
 passed through the rest, who seemed to be out of ammunition, so that 
 after moving a few banilred yards the enemy alone was in ray front. 
 The division was advanced with intrepidity, under a severe fire, and 
 dashed over the left of the entrenchments. In passing tbom, 1 saw 
 on my left the ripht of Major General Cbburne, whose brave di- 
 vision stormed the centre. Several hundred of the enemy ran through 
 oar lines to the rear , the rest were pursued several hundred yard*, 
 and beyond the Chattanooga road. Uf these some were killei and a 
 good many taken prisoners, bat most of thorn escaped in the darkneu. 
 
44 
 
 It was now night; pursuit was stopped by order of General Hill, and, 
 throwing ont pickets, I bivouacked in line, near the road. 
 
 The prisoners taken by my command during the day, of whom 
 thore w.iH a considerable number, were allowed to go to the rear, pince 
 dotnils could not bo spared for tbcm, and it whs known ibcy would be 
 gathered up there. 
 
 The division captured nine pieces of artillery. I ara aware that 
 it is usually the whole army, not a part of it, that takes guns from 
 the enemy, and that often tlie troops who obtain possession of ibem 
 ow<? their good fortune quite a? much to fire from the riglit and left 
 as to their own efforts ; yet I think it due to my comm;ind to siy that, 
 in iegard to at least six of these guns, such considerations do not 
 apply, and that they were taken without assistance from any other 
 troops. 
 
 My total casualties, as shown by official reports, amounted to 
 twelve huiidred and forty, of which .number one hundred and s-ixty- 
 six wore killed, nine hundred and nine wounded, and one bun- 
 Uu'd and sixty-five missing. 
 
 To Brigadier General Stovall, to Colonel Lewis, whn succt^eded to 
 the command of Helm's brigade, and to Colonel R. L. (iibson, who 
 succeeded to the command of Adams' brignde, the country is indubtad 
 for the courage and skill with which they dieehitrgcd thoir urdnoufl 
 duties. 
 
 The (iflicers and men of the division, wi:h exi-rptions so rare as to 
 place in striking contrast to them the gctieral good conduct, sustained 
 thrir former r(-put.»tion. and were alike worthy of each othtT. 
 
 To the genikmi n of my staft", 1 feel sincere gmtiiudi; for the 
 prompt, fearlefs, an<I cheeiful manner in which they dLjciiarged their 
 duties. Major Wilson, assistant adjutant general ; Colonel Vivtt 
 '/.inken, A. A. G., who bad two horses shot under him; Captain 
 Martin, A I. (i.,who received a contusion from a grape shot; Lieu-' 
 tenant Breckinridge, aid-dc-camp, whose horse was shot; Captain 
 8(}mple, or<inance olFiccr ; Lieutenant Bortus, (twentieth LouisiaDa.y 
 A. A. 1. (', ; Dr. Heu.stis, chief surgeon: Dr. Kratz, on duly in 
 the field, and Messrs. McGehee, Coleman, Mitchell, and Ciay, volun- 
 teers on my staff, performed their duties in a manner to command 
 my confidence and regard. 
 
 One member of my stuff I cannot thank. Major R. E. Graves, 
 chief of artillery, receiveil a mortal wound in the action of Sunday, 
 the 2(ith. Although a very young man, he had won eminence in 
 arms, and be gave promise of the highest distinotioa, A truer friend, 
 a pnrer patriot, a better soldier never lived. 
 
 I am. Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 JOHN C. BRKCKlNRiDGE, 
 
 Mi'jor Gtnerul A. 0. 8. 
 
RErORT OF MAJOR GENERAL V. R. CLEBURNE. 
 
 IIeadquarteks Clkburne's Division, IIiij.'r Corps, j 
 
 Missinnnry P.idac, near CfiA{tan'H>gti, \ 
 
 October IS, lbC3. S 
 
 To Lieutenant Colonel Anrm;R ANnEnsov, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant Gi'.xcral IlUCs Corps : 
 
 Colonel: 1 have tlie honor to report the operations of my divis- 
 ion in the battle of Chickareauga, fought on Saturday and Sunday, 
 the I9th and 2nih of September, 1863 : 
 
 During the afternoon of Saturday, the lOih ultimo, I moved my 
 division in a westerh- direction 8cro?s the Chickamauga river, at Led- 
 ford's ford, and having received orders to report to Lieutenant Gen- 
 eral Polk, commanding the right wing of the army, I did so, and was 
 directed by him to form a second line in rear of the right of the lino 
 already in position. Accordingly, soon after suirset, my division w.ig 
 formed, partially en cchdon, about three hundred jards in rear of the 
 right line. My right rested in front of a steam saw mill, known as 
 Jay's mill, situated on a small stream running between the Chickii- 
 mauga and the road leading from Chattanooga to Lafayette. My line 
 extended from the saw mill almost due south for nearly a mile, front- 
 ing to the west. Polk's brigade, with Calvert's battery, couiinanded 
 by Lieutenant Thomas J. Key, composed my right wing; Wood's 
 brigade, with Sample's battery, my centre and Dcshlcr's brigade, 
 with Douglass" battery, ray lei^t Jring. I now received orders from 
 Lieutenant General Ilill to advance, passing over the line which had 
 been repulsed, and drive back the enemy's left wing. In my front wore' 
 open woods, with the exception of a clearing (fenced in) in front of 
 my centre, the ground sloping upwards as we advanced. Orderin? 
 the brigades to direct themselves by Wood's (the centre) brigade, and 
 preserve brigade distance, I moved forward, passing over the first 
 line, and was in a few moments heavily engaged along my right and 
 centre. The enemy, posted behind hastily constructed breastworks. 
 opened a hiavy fire of both t-ranll arms and artillery. For half :in 
 hour the firing w.is the heaviest I had ever heard ; it was dark, how- 
 ever, and acciiriite shooting was impossible. Each party was itiming 
 at the flaahes of the other's guns, and few of the shot from e ther side 
 took efTect. Major llotcbkiss, my chief of artillery, placed Polk's and 
 Wood's artillery in position in the cleared field in front of my centre. 
 Availing themselves of the noise and the darkness. Captain Scrapie 
 and Lieutenant Key ran th^ir batteries forward within sixty yaids of 
 the enemy's line and opened a rapid fire Polk pressed forward at 
 thtf same moment on the right, when the enemy ceased firing and 
 quickly disappeared from my front. There was some confusion at the 
 time, necessarily inseparable, however, from a night attark. This 
 and the difficulty of moving my artillery through the woods io tha 
 dark, rendered a further adraDcAnexpodicDt for the c^ght. I con- 
 
46 
 
 soquentlj halted and, after readjusting ray lines, threw out skirmish- 
 ers a quarter of a mile in advance, and bivouacked. In this conflict, 
 the enwiiy was driven back about a mile and a hnlf. He left in my 
 hands two or three pieces of artillery, several caissons, two or three 
 hundred prisoners, and the colors of the seventy-seventh Indiana and 
 those of the seveuty-ninth Pennsylvania. 
 
 At about ten o'clock, next morning, I received orders from Lieu- 
 tenant General Hill to advance and dress on the line of Gen. Breck- 
 inridge, who had been placed on my right. Accordingly, directing 
 e:ich brigade to dress upon the right and preserve its distance, I moved 
 forward. Breckinridge was already in motion. The eflbrt to over- 
 take and dress upon him caused hurry and some contusion in my lino, 
 which was necessarily a long one. Before the effects of this could be 
 rectifled, Folk's brigade, and the right of Wood's encountered the 
 heaviest artillery fire I have ever experienced. I was now within 
 short canister range of a line of log breastworks, and a hurricane of 
 shot and shell swept the woods from the unseen enemy in my front. 
 This deadly fire was direct, and came from that part of the enemy's 
 breastworks opposite to my right and right centre. The rest of my 
 line, stretching off to the left, received an oblique fire from the line 
 of breastworks which, at a point opposite my centre, formed a retiring 
 angle, running off towards the Chatianooga and Lafayette road behind. 
 The accompanying map, showing the shape of the enemy's line of 
 works opposite my Hue, will explain our relative positions. Upon re- 
 ference to it, it will be seen that opposite to my right and right centre 
 the enemy's works ran about a half a mile north and south, and nearly 
 parallel to the Chattanooga and Lafayette road, which was about three 
 hundred yards behind ; that at a point opposite my centre his works 
 formed, as before stated, a retiring angle, running in a westerly and 
 'somewhat oblique direction to the Chattanooga and Lafayette road.; 
 and that at a point nearly opposite my right, his works formed ano- 
 ther retiring angle, running back also to the road. My right and 
 right centre, consisting of Folk's brigade and Lowry's regiment of 
 Wood's brigade, were checked within one hundred and seventy-five 
 yards of the advance part of this portion of the enemy's works, and 
 the rest of the line were halted in compliance with the order previ- 
 ously given, to dress upon the right. Passing towards the left at 
 this time. I found that thejine of advance of my division which 
 was the left of the right wing of the army, converged with the line of 
 advance of the left wing of the army ; the flunks of the two wings 
 bad already come in collision, part of Wood's brigade had passed 
 over Bate's brigailc, of Stewart's division, which was the right 
 of the left wing, and J>cshler's brigade, which formed my left, had 
 been thrown out entirely, and was in rear of the left wing of the 
 army. I ordered Wood to move forward the remainder of his brigade; 
 opening at the same time in the direction of the enemy's fire with 
 JSemple's battcrj'. 'J'hat part of Wood's brigade to the left of Lowry's 
 regiment, and to the left of the southern angle of the breastworks in 
 itt» advance at this time, entered an old field, bordering the Chatta- 
 uooga and Lafayette road, and attRptcd to cross it in the face of a 
 
47 
 
 hcavj Sre from works in its front ; it had almo?t reached the road, 
 its left being at Poe's house, (known as the burning housn,) when it 
 %48 driven back by a heavy oblique fire of small arms and artillery, 
 ■which was opened upon both its flanks; the fire from the right coming 
 from the south face of the breastworks, which was hid from view by 
 the thick growth of scrub osks bordering the field. Five hundred 
 men were killed and wounded by this fire in a few minutes. Upon 
 this repulse, Lowry's regiment having also in the meantime been 
 forced to retire, I ordered the brigaile still further back to reform. 
 Scrapie's battery, which had no position, 1 also ordered back. I now 
 moved De^blcr's brigade by the right flank, with the intention of con- 
 necting it with I'olk's left, so filling the gap lelt in my centre by the 
 withdrawal of Wood. This connection, however, I could not estab- 
 lish, B9 Polk's left hnd, in its turn been also driven back. P'lnding it 
 a useless sacrifice of life for I'olk to retain his position, I ordered him 
 to fall back with the rest of his line, and with his and Wood's brigades 
 I took up a strong defensive position, some three or four hundred 
 yards in rear of the point from which they had been repulsed. Desh- 
 ler's brigade had moved foiward towards the right of the enemy s ad- 
 vanced works, but could not go beyond the crest of a low ridge from 
 which Lowry had been repulsed, I therefore ordered him to cover 
 himself behind the ridge and hold his position as long as possibie. 
 His brigade was now en echelon about four hundred yards in front of 
 the left of the rest of the division, which here rested for some hours. 
 In effecting this last disposition of his command General De«hlcr 
 fell, a shsll passing fair through bis chest. It was the first battle in 
 which this gentleman had the honor of commanding as a general offi- 
 cer, lie was a brave and efhcient one. lie brought always to the 
 discharge of his duty a warm zeal and a high conscientiousness. 
 The army and the country will long remember him. 
 
 At about half-past thrte o'clock, P. M , I received orders from 
 Lieutenant General Polk to move forward on a line with my left, 
 I'eshler connecting my right with Jackson's brigade, and, when 1 had 
 formed my line, to remain and hold the position. I accordingly ad- 
 vanced with my centre and right wing, drove in the enemj's ekirmi^-h- 
 ers, . and forced his line behind the works from which he had 
 repulsed us in the morning. The left wing of the army had been 
 drivirg the enemy; the right wing now attacked. Lieutenant Gen- 
 eral I'olk ordering me to advance my heavy batteries and open on the 
 enemy. Captain Scmple, my acting chief of artillery, (Major Ilotch- 
 kns, my chief of artillery, being disabled by a wound received the 
 day bciore.) selected positioni« in front of the line, nnd placed his own 
 »nd Douglass' batteries within two hundred y4rds of the enemy's 
 
 .breastworks*, and opened a rapid and most effective fire, silencing im- 
 mediately a battery which had been playing up'in my linej. Aliout 
 
 )tLe same time, Brigadier General Polk chaiged and soon carried the 
 
 Eortb western angle of the enemy's works, taking, in succession, three 
 ines of breastworks. In these brilliant operations he wsg materiallj 
 ided by Key's battery, and towards its close by Douglass' battery, 
 i^bich had again been moved by mj*ordera to my extreme right, where 
 
48 
 
 it was run into position bj handl. A large number of prisoners (reg- 
 ulars) were here captured. The enemv ;iban<lcned his works and re- 
 tired precipitately. BiigaJier General Polk pursued to the Chatta- 
 nooga and Larijette road, whore be captured another piece of artil- 
 lerj'. 1 hcre,rcceived directions from Lieut. Gen. Hiii to halt my ccm- 
 maud until further orJera. I cannot close this report without an ac- 
 knowledgment of distinguished Eervices rendered by various officer? 
 and men, which would otherwise pass unnoticed. I have already in- 
 cidentally calltd attention to the gallant conduct of Brigadier Gen 
 ral Polk, but it is due to him and to the country, which wishes to .1: 
 predate its faithful servants, to eay that to the intrepidity and stem 
 determination of purpose of himself and men I was principally in- 
 debted for the success of the charge on Sunday e\'ening, which drove 
 the enemy from his breastworks and gave us the battle. Colonel 
 Mills, also, is entitled to be remembered. Leiding his regiment 4 
 through the battle until the full of his brigadier, the hmented Desh- 
 ler, he w.ts then called by seniority to command the brigade, which 
 he did with gallantry and intelligence. 
 
 To my staff, Major Calhoun Benham, assistant adjutant general, 
 (who received a contusion in the right fhoulder from a grape shot or , 
 fragment of ihell ;) Captain Irving A. Buck, assistant adjutant gene- 1 
 ral, (whose horse was shot under him ;) Major Joseph K. Dixon, as- ' 
 sistant inspector general ; Captain B. F. Phillips, assistant inspector [ 
 general; Lieutenant J. W. Jetton, aid-de-camp and acting assistant 
 inspector general ; ilajor T R. Ilotchkiss, chief of artillery, who 1 
 ceived a wound from a minic ball in the foot on Saturday, which '1 
 prived me of his valuable services afterwards ; Capt. Henry C. Scmf' 
 who replaced Major Ilotchkics as chief cf artillery, when disable 
 Capt. C. F. Vandeford, chief of ordnance ; Lieut L. IL Mangura, a; 
 de-camp, and Lieut. S. P. Ilanly, aiddeearap, (who received a c ; 
 tusion from a grape Khot.) I atn ind'.-bted for the faithful and indefati- 
 gable manner in ■which they performed their vitil, though perhaps not 
 showy, duties throu;.'hout these operation-s. M:ijor T. H. Ilotclikiss, 
 chief of artillery; C: ptain Semple, with his battery, and Lieutenant 
 Thomas J. Key, comraamiing Calvert's battery, rendered invaluable 
 service, and exhibiii-d the highest gallantry on Saturday night inj-un- 
 ning their pieces up, as they diil, within sixty yards of the enemy. In 
 thiw they were ahly sustaiiied by Lieutenant ivicliard Goldthwaite, of 
 Semple's battery. Here Major llotchkis? received his wound. Cap- 
 tain Semple albo displayed skill and judgment as acting chief of ar- 
 tillery, particularlaily in the scleitioa cf a position for bis own and 
 Douglass' batteries on Sunday evening, which gave an oljli(jue fire 
 upon the eneuiy in his works, contributing to the success of the final 
 charge by Polk's brigade. Captain O. S. I'almer, assistant adjutant 
 geiural of Wood's brigade, was conspicuous for his coolness and at- 
 tention to duty on the field, and has my thanks. I nm much indebted 
 also to Ur. A. Linthicuin, chief surgeon of ray division. The com- 
 pleteness of his arrangements, his careful supervision of subordinates, 
 both ou the field, andcr fire, and elsewhere, and in thd ho.spital, se- 
 cured our gallant wounded prompt attention, and all the alleviation 
 
49 
 
 of pain attainable in the exigencies of battle. Surgeon A. R. Ers- 
 kine (then arling, now actual medioal inspoctnr of tny ilivisiun) ren- 
 dered most efficient service. Ass't Sargeon, Alfred B. Di;I>oach par- 
 ticulitrly distinguished himself bj his unselfish devotion, going re- 
 peatedly far forward under fire, and among the skirmishers, to attend 
 the wounded. James I'. Brady and Melv in Oversttrect, privates in the 
 Buckner Guards, (my escort,) specially detailed to attend me through 
 the battle, went viih uae wherever my duty called me. Brady v-as 
 wonn('ed in the hand. Overstreet had his horse shot. To Captain 
 C F. Vaiideford, my chief of ordnance, ray thinks :ire specially duf. 
 Ills trains were always hi the best order, and in the most accessible 
 position, and to his care in this respect I am in<lebted for a prompt 
 supply of ammunition in every critical emergency which arose. I 
 carried into action on Saturday, the 19th, five thousand one hundred 
 »nd fifteen officers and men, four thousand eight hundred and seventy- 
 five bayonets. On Sunday, the 2nth, I carried in fojir thousand 
 lix hundred and eeventy-one officers and men, four thousand four hun- 
 dred and thirty-jcven bayonets. In the two days my casualties were 
 two hundred and four killed, fifteen hundred ;ind thirty-nine wounded, 
 •is rai.ssing, making in all one thousand seven tuudred and foity-nine. 
 Respectfully, 
 
 P. R. CLEBURNE, 
 4 Major General. 
 
RErORT OF MAJOR GENtRAL T. C. HINDMAN. 
 
 Atiota, Ga., October 25, ISC3. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel G. M. Soi;rfi.. , 
 
 A. A. Gftiiral J.ongstrerCs Corps : 
 
 Coi.onkl: Kicknees prevented mo fi-om exercising cotntnand o« 
 Saturday, September I'Jtli. until about tbroe, \'. M. My division had 
 th'n juBt crosbed the CLirkaniiiuga at Hunt's fi>rd. and was soon after 
 ordered to the tupjiort of Major General Hood The orJer Kas exe- 
 cuted under a hiavy aitillerj- fire frcm the enemy, causing some I088. 
 My poi<ition was on Hood's loft and Buckni r's right, near the centre 
 of the left wing of theprtny, facing we!<t, parallel with the Lafayette 
 and Chattaiiooga road, s-ix or eight hundred ^aids distant. The brig- 
 adec of L'eas and Manigault conetitufed my first line, and Andersun'a 
 mv reserve. Nothing important haj^pened during 'tho remainder of 
 the day. After dark, jn the readjustment of my line, a sharp skir- 
 mish occurred on Manigault's left, the enemy retiring. 
 
 Al'out eleven, A. M., on Sunday, September 2iith, under orders 
 from Lieuteuani General Longstreet, commanding the left wing, my 
 cotr.mand moved forward simultaneously with the troops on my right. 
 At the distance of three hundred yards, skirmishing co.Tinieneed and 
 immediately my whole line was engaged. Hushing on at the double- 
 quick^ through a storm of bullets, shot and shell, -Deas' brave Ala- 
 bamians and Manigault's Alabamians and South Carolijiiana, equally 
 bravo, drove the eiicmy from his breastworks, then pushel his beyond 
 ihe Lufayotte road, and charged his second line of breastworks thjee 
 hundred j'ards further on. The troops on Manigault's left not advanc- 
 i ng with hin>, he was enfiladed on that flank by infantry and artiikry, 
 checked, an<l at length forced to retire. One gun of his battery, 
 tenjporarily disabled, was left exposed to capture, when Cidonel J. 0. 
 Reid's twenty-eighth Alabama gallantly faced about and brought it 
 off in safety. 
 
 I>eas swept like a whirlwind over the breastworks. Anderson's 
 fearless Miasissippians carrying the breastworks in their front, moved 
 cp rapidly on his left, to Manigault's place. Without halting.these 
 two brigades then drove the enemy across the Crawfi^h Spring road 
 and up the broken spurs of Missionary ridge, to its first elevation, 
 one hundred yards west. Hiding behind this, the enemy opened a 
 tremendous fire of musketry and canifbn upon our line as it advanced, 
 and at tho same time enfiladed it from an eminence in a field on tho 
 right. But, without faltering, he was charged, driven from hia strong 
 position, and pursued upwards of three-quarters of a mile, when he 
 ceased resisting and dibappeared, going north, completely routed.' A 
 body of Federal cavalry, covering the retreat of the infantry, made a 
 demonstration against my right, but retired hastily when about to bo 
 Mtacked, • 
 
En^p jveA hr R TRuiwinircii 
 
 
 r IftdV^A-C* JiAwriN«>'0<vi4*rihjmAraartflfihrThnW5WjHff m«Mf>viVnL'«v^AuirM<^Hinx^ 
 
51 
 
 Meantime Manigault sent back for uml received the support of 
 Trisg's brigade, of IJuckner's corp3, and, with it, compelled the r^ipid 
 retreat of the force in his front. 
 
 The fifteenth Alabama regiment, of (Jcneral Law's command, lyhich 
 h»d lost its direction, (ircd on Deas" right, but upon discovering tho 
 ini(!t!ike, moved up and fought gallantly with him. 
 
 I now seYit staff officers to the right and left, and ascertained that m j 
 , idvancc was nearly a mile further wpst than any other trT^ops of the 
 \fh wing, none of which had yet reached the Crawfish k^pring r > id. 
 To \Yt\ right and rear there was hot firing. I determined to move 
 there, and gave the necessary orders directing the command to march 
 northeast to tho Lafayette road, till the position of our troops then 
 engaged ghoujil be ascertained. This was to avoiil the possibility of 
 cuLi&ion with friendly forces, and to giin time for reforming porliona 
 of my command disordered by their rapid pursuit of the enemy. 
 
 In the splendid advance which I have p.ttfmpted to describe, througU 
 ■»"ds and fields and over a pnrt of Mit^sionary ridge, against the 
 l>8 of Sheridan's and J. C. Davis' divisior^s, seventeen pieces of 
 ■ral artillery were captured by my division, fourteen of which 
 • taken into possession and conveyed to the rear by Captain Waters, 
 ig chief of artillery, and throe pieees by Major Iliby. ehicf of ord- 
 .ce. f^ince the battle, I have been informed that a staff officer from 
 »rmy headquarters found ten pieces abandoned in a gorge in front of 
 • lay position, west of the Crawfijih Spring road. The number of pris- 
 oners exceeded eleven huhdred, including three colonels. The ground 
 was strewn with small arms, of which fourteen hundred were collected. 
 Five or six standards, five caissons and one battery wagon, one ambu- 
 lance, about forty horses and mules, and nine ordnance wagons, with 
 one hundred and sixty-five thousand rounds of ammunition, were also 
 ^•cured. 'I he nuincrous woun<ied and dead of the enemy fell into our 
 bands. Among the latter was Brigadier (General Lytic, of the Fede- 
 ral army, killed by Deas' brigade. 
 
 While moving to the right and rear, I was met \\ff a staff officer of 
 
 .-idler General Bii<-hrod Johnston, and afterwards by that officer 
 
 elf, stating that he was haid pressed and must have support forth- 
 
 or he would be compelled to fall back. I immediately placed An- 
 
 in's brigade under his orders. 
 
 ■'••as, who was out of ammunition, obtained a partial supply from 
 
 i^Jton's wagrtcs, and thtn marched west across the Crawfish Spring 
 
 ' and formed line of battle, facing west, at the top of the first 
 
 •^ boy3nd. His skirmithers became engaged immediately witL 
 
 " of a force of the' enemy occupying the next ridge. Manigault, 
 
 jiow coming up, was directed to form on Deas' right. I believed the 
 
 force io my front to Hte the same that I had previously routed, making 
 
 ita way towarl? Chattanooga and designed cutting it off and captnrinj^ 
 
 it. Hut at this juncture, before Manigault's line had been estal'lithcd, 
 
 '•-'"V firing hid commenced to my right and rear, east of the Crawfish 
 
 ■us ro»d. and 1 received from Crf-neral Johnston urp'^nt requests 
 
 luriitcr f-u-,'. ri. I>cas and Manigault at once a>ov«d in that di- 
 
52 
 
 ! 
 
 rection and formed on his left. Privioue to their arrival the firing had 
 ceased. 
 
 General Johnston's line faced nearly north, about perpendioulur to 
 the Lafayette road and to our orijiinal line of battle. It wiis the 
 side of 8U extrcincly rough and stei-p projection of Missionary riilno, 
 near Dyer's farm, and was eitpniK'ii ea8twar<lly by the lines of Anlt-r- 
 5on and Kershaw. The height terminated in an open field, n<:ir i\er- 
 •haw's right. It was elsi'where densely wooded. The enemy h>l(l the 
 summit in Btrcng foroe, hib artilk-ry planted on sundry 9ud<K-ii ilcvji- 
 tions risiinp up like redoubt*; his irifantry between the.^e, beliiiul th- 
 crest, and further sheltered by breastworks of trees and rockn 
 
 At three, P. M.. a force of the enemy, probaldy that which I h:u' 
 recently confronted west of the Crawfish Spring road, appeared on 
 my left, capturing several men of my infirmary corps and others who 
 bad fallen out from fatigue or wound.s. I was apprehensive of aa 
 fcttack in rear, and sent to General Lon^^street and General Buckn-r 
 for reinforcements At the same time, being the ofiBccr of higliCMt 
 rank present, and deeming concert of action necessary, I assume! 
 command of General J-ohnston's troops, and ordered an immediate ai.d 
 vigorou' attack upon the enemy in our front — Ueas and Maiiigault, 
 with Johnston's command, all under direction of thatofficer, to wheel 
 to the right until faced east, and then to advance, taking the eneuij 1 
 in flank ; Anderson to move forward when the firing should begin. ^ 
 General Kershaw agreed to conform to the movements of the latter 
 ] hoped to ensure the capture or destruction of the enemy by driving- 
 him in confusion upon the right wing of our army. 
 
 The movement began at half-past three. Skiriliishing ex- 
 tended along the whole line as Deas, at the extreme left, commence 
 swinging. In a few minutes a terrific contest en.'^ued, which continue 
 at close (juartcrs, without any intermission, over four hours Ou- 
 troops attacked again and again, with a courage. worthy of their pM-. 
 achievements. The enemy fought with determined obstinaey. aiii 
 repeatedly repulsed us, but only to be again assailed. . As shnwing 
 the fierceness of the fight, the fact is mentioned that, on our e.xireme 
 left, the bayonet was used, and the men also killed and wounded with 
 clubbed inu.ikets. A little after four the enemy was reinforced and 
 advanced, with loud thouts, upon our right, but .sas repulsed by An- 
 derson and Kershaw. At this time it becime necessary to retire 
 Garrity's battery, of Anderson's brigade, which had ■been doii.g effec- 
 tive service. It was subsequently held in reserve. Dent's battery, 
 of Deas' brigade, was engaged throughout the struggle Noiwith- 
 •tanding the repulses of our infantry, the otficers and men of this 
 battery stood to their guns undaunted, and continued firing, inflicting 
 eevere loss on the enemy, and contributing lai^gely to the success of 
 my operations. 
 
 At twenty minutes after four Brigadier General Preston, of Buck- 
 ner's corps, in answer to my application for help, brought me the timely 
 «nd valuable reinforcements of Kelly's brigade, and, within an hour 
 afterwards, the remaining brigades of his division. Grade's and Triggs'. 
 These brave troops, as they arrived, were conducted by officers of my 
 
• 53 
 
 itaff, to the right of my line, nml promptly advanced, in conjunction 
 with the rest, upon the enemy. From this time we gained ground, 
 but, though commanding nine brigades, with Kerahaw's co-operating, 
 »nd all in action, I found the gain both slow and costly. I have 
 aever known Federal troops to ftght so well. It is just to say, also, 
 that I never saw Confederate soMicra fi^ht better. 
 
 Between half past seven and eight, P. M., the enemy was driven 
 
 from his position, surrendering to the' gallant Preston six or seven 
 
 bundrcd prisoners, with 6ve standards, and many valuable arms. One 
 
 ■e of artillery, two or three wagons, and about fifty prisoners, fell 
 
 ' the hands of Dcas' brigade. Thia was the' victorious ending of 
 
 ^•attle of Ci:ickamauga. 
 
 \t eleven, P. M., suftoring much pain from an injury received 
 V lit m'dd.iy, I relinquished to Brigadier General Anderson the com- 
 1 1 of my division. 
 
 i he usual commendatory expressions would almost seem to cheapen 
 
 'crvicos of the officers and men of my iramodiate commind during 
 
 diy. and those who fought.with us in the afternoon. The relation 
 
 •hat they performed ought to immortalize them. For signal gal- 
 
 'ry and efficiency the army and country are indebted to Brigadier 
 
 ■i'^rals Prestun and Johnston, and their several brigade commanders ; 
 
 10 Brigadii-r General Kersh.aw,and the three brigade commanders 
 
 y division," Anderson, Deas and .Vlanigault. Without the decided 
 
 •ss whic'i »hey won n Deer's Hill. Chickamauga would not have 
 
 a victory, inil(-ps after ^^n ither day of /ighling and slaughter. 
 
 'ri the same roil <if honor should he inscribed the names of the 
 
 ^iilrous staff nflScers. the devoted officers of the regiments and 
 
 •i.| anics, and the heroic rank and file. The reports of my eubordi- 
 
 ••itfs mention many of earh grade pho distinguished themselves. 
 
 ; a few of them fell gloriously, and now rest on the field ; others 
 
 r honorable wounds, and others fortunately remained unhurt. I 
 
 'Ctfully ask attention to the records of their conspicaous bravery, 
 
 that the appropriate rewards of valor be conferred on them. 
 
 . iie following staff officers were with me on the field : * 
 
 * donel C. W. Adams, assistant adjutant and inspector general and 
 .'f of staff. 
 
 Major J. P. Wilson, assistant adjutant general. 
 
 'aptain Walker Anderson, acting assistant adjutant general. 
 
 '..eutenant B. F. Williams, aid-de-camp. 
 
 ' iptain D. D. Waters, acting chief of artillery. 
 
 iptain J. F. Waltcn, provost marshal. • 
 
 ' nptain Lenoir, and Lieutenants Gordon and Lee, of my cavalry 
 
 rt, also acted on my staff during the engngement. 
 ■ I.e conduct of all these officers was in the highest degree soldierly, 
 
 their services roost valuable. They have my thanks and deserve 
 
 • confidence of their superiors. Colonel A^lams esp<>cially, by his 
 "'r»ter experience, his cool courage, and his admirable promptness 
 
 precision, has placed roe under lasting obligations, and amply 
 *n his fitness for higher rank, which 1 earnestly hope wil! be given 
 
54 • 
 
 Major E. B. D. Riley, cliief of ordnance, was veiy efficient in bi« 
 depaitment. having Lis trains almost constantly at band, ond supply- 
 jiip every call for ammunition with the least possible delay. 
 
 Major J. C. I'alnir. C. S., performed his duties in the most satis- 
 factory manner, providing the crnjiuand with cooked rations dtiring 
 the battle, and the movements preliminary to it. with ahncst as much 
 regularity as if prepared by the men themselves in camp. In this he 
 was efliciet.tly aided by Captain S. M. Lanirr, assistant quartermas- 
 ter, an officer always ready and willing, and whose qualifications and 
 services fairly entitle Lira to promotion. 
 
 Chief Surgeon C. Terry was prompt and efficient to the utmost 
 extent of the means at his disposal. 
 
 Lieutenant L. P. Dodge, aid-ilc-carap, was disabled by be.ing thrown 
 from his horse before the battle commenced, and was not afterwards 
 with 1110. 
 
 The strength of my division, on going into action, was five hundred 
 and one oiTicers, and five thousand six hundred and twenty-one 
 enlisted men. 
 
 My loss in officers was sixteen Isilled, eighty-one wounded, and one 
 missing; in enlisted men, two hundred and fifty-six killed, one thou- 
 sand three hundred and ninety-nine wounded, and ninety-seven miss- 
 ing. Whole loss, two hundred and seventy-two killed, one thousand 
 four hundred and eighty wounded, and ninety- eight missing. 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully. 
 
 Your obedient servant. 
 
 T. C. HINDMAN, 
 
 Slt'jor General. 
 
UEIO.IT OF MAJOR GENERAL WALKER, COMMANDING 
 RESERVE CORPS. 
 
 IIk^dqu \RTKRS Division, ) 
 Niar Chatfannoga, Tenn , October 13, 186i. \ 
 Lieutenant Colonel George Wm. Bbent, 
 
 Aftsistant Ailjidi.nl General : 
 
 Colonel: The reports of the cfimir.^n<liiig officersi of brigades and 
 di»isioii8 having been received, I hastened to forward tliem to head- 
 quarters, to;;ether with my report as commander ol the reserve corps : 
 
 On the IH'.h of October, I was ordered hj the commanding General 
 to cross the Chickamatig* at Alexander's bridgr;, if practicable, if not, 
 to crof»s at Rvron's ford, about one and a half miles below. Before 
 reaching the bridge, I was informed that I would have to fight for it, 
 a« it was h(dd bj the enemy. General Liddell, commanding division, 
 was orderc<l to advance with Walthall's and Govan's brigades. (Colo- 
 nel Govnn commanded General Lid fcirs brig-ide.) (Jeneral Walthall 
 advanced upon the bridge||kand brcame engaged wi.tb the enemy, and, 
 after a short and sharp encounter, took the bridge, wh'ch was torn up 
 by the enemy, making it necessary for the command to cross at By- 
 r'Ui's ford. Colonel ijovan's ekiriuishers were also engaged. Ector'g 
 at,d Wilson's brigades were held in reserve, and not engaged. By- 
 ron's forii was crossed at night by the troops, but the ordnance 
 wagonr^. in C''n8e<jnence of the rocky and uneven nature of the ford, 
 were not crossed until yiornicg. Colonel Wilson's brigade was left 
 to guard the wagons, and the rest of the command bivouacked about ft 
 mile from the ford. 1 received an order that night to report to Gen- 
 eral Hood's command. 
 
 Early in the morning. General Forrest aeked for a brig<ide of in- 
 fantry, and the commanding General (Genera! Bragg) directed me to 
 order a brigade to report to him. Hhortly afterwards, hearing firing, 
 I remarked to the commanding General (Genera! Bragg) that I 
 thought Wilson's biigade wns eng?.ged, and that I would hasten to it. 
 He directed me to attack with all the force I had. [General Liddell 
 labors under & misapprehension in the first part of his/epoi^l when 
 be spciiks of my sending for orders and making a reconnoisssncc. * I 
 had been on the field before I saw General Liddell, and hiid received 
 orders from the commanding General (as I state in my report) before 
 I went, on the field, and was satisfied of the large force of the enemy, 
 and Bent for reinforcements before I met him. When I did meet hira 
 we had sr>me conversation about the forces, etc.. which I do not re- 
 member. He is mistaken in regard to time 1 On reaching the ground 
 I found that Wilson's and Ector's brigade" (having also been taken by 
 Forrest, without any authority from me) were heavily pressed ana, 
 from the greatly superior numbers of the enemy, were compelled ti 
 fall back. I refer you to Colonel Wilson's report for the part his 
 brigade took in the action. General Ector is absent, his brigade 
 baving been «rdere<l to Misgissippi ; and I hare no report from him, 
 
56 
 
 but his lirig&<le acted with the greatest galltintry. I ordered Lid-j 
 delPa divit>iuD up as soon »$ I reached the ground, and they came up] 
 as quiekly as pos«ih!e, formed in line of battle, and moved up io gal-j 
 lant style and attarked the entmy. I refer you to General LiddeH'sj 
 report and ic General W;iUha!l"8»and Colonel Govan's for partJcuhirs. 
 This division, too, after a desperate and gallant struggle had to fallJ 
 back . Discovering, on my arrival on the ground, that my command^ 
 had enco'untered a heavy force. I sent immediately back to the com- ^ 
 mandiiig General for reinforcementa. About one o'ciock General 
 Cheatham came up, and was inTbrmcd by me where his division was 
 needed. I refer you to his own report for his part' iu the actioj. 
 About five, P. M., (I had no watch, but this was about the 
 time,) General Polk oame up and took coinmind, and tny command 
 acted under his or dors. I am satisfied that there were more than 
 Thomas' corps f tig.i:;ed ; and all northern accounts stale that parts of 
 Crittenden's and McOook"s were engaged. The unequal tjontest of 
 four brigades against such overwheluiing oddi is unparalleled in tliis 
 revolution, and the troops iieserve immortal honor for the part home 
 in the action. Only soldiers flighting for all that is dear to freoraen 
 could attack, be driven, rally and attack ag;:iii .such Fuperior forces. 
 Two lines of batilo of the entiicy were broT<on in the first attack by 
 Wilson; and when he was coinpv'lled to retire from the front of the 
 breastworks which the en-.-my had fallen behind, the fight was taken 
 up by Ijiddell's di'/ision and the enemy's line broken again, when ho 
 again took refuge behind his hroastv.oiks and Liddell was compelled 
 to fitil b:.ck. The troops were rapidly formed again, and the unequal 
 Corftf!3i was carried on from between nine and ten, A. M., by my 
 command until about half past one, P. M.* when, as 1 have said, 
 Cheatham's division came up. In the afternoon' at about five o'clock, 
 my command was oidered by General Polk to support Cleburne. Gen- 
 eral P. will doubtle:s report what then happened. 
 
 I was directed, Saturday night, -by (Jeiicral Polk (_to v.hom I was 
 then ordered to report) to hold my reserve corps iu readiness to sup- 
 port an attack upon the enemy, which would take place at daylight, 
 and to support Cheathsm's division. I was on the ground at day- 
 light ready for the attack. The attack was not made at that time, 
 and boj^reen about niiie and ten I was ordered, instead of supporting 
 Clkeath.Tin. to support Hill's corps, a part of the right wing, (com- 
 manded by Polk,) to form my reserye so as to ecfnlitti Breckinridge, w ho 
 was on the right of Hill's roips. Before I got info my position, and 
 whilst marching by the Dank to gain the ground to tho right^ I was 
 sent for by General Hill to his support. General Polk was with my 
 command when I received the order. I marched rapidly forward in 
 line of battle, part of the time at double-quick, ami reported to Gen- 
 eral Hill. Geiieral Polk was with me. General Hill informed me, on 
 my arrival, that he wanted a brigade. I told hiui thero was one imme- 
 diately b> hmd him. He remaiked he wanted Gist's brigade. I in- 
 formed him ihat it vsas to the left and had just come up,<(General 
 Gist had, a few moments befoie, been put in command, by me, of 
 General Ector's and Colonel Wilstjn's brigades, and Colonel Colquitt 
 
 1 
 
/C(UiU *Sr^< 
 
57 
 
 had coiniiianii of Gist's brigado.) He orderefJ General Gist's brigiviie 
 itnmeiiialrly into-the fight in renr of Brotkiiiridge, a part of whose 
 division had fallen back, and the whole of which was hard pressed. I 
 refer you to General Gist's report for the perfoi-inaiice of his command. 
 
 Gctieriil Walthall was detached to the left to the support" of Briga- 
 dier General I'olk, hj II.ll or Polk. JJv command being thus dis- 
 posed of. hrigndfs being sent in to take the places of divisions, my 
 giily occupation was to help form the detaclicd portion? of nij C'ln- 
 inand as thej came out from a position. I felt certain they would 
 have to leave when thev were eent in. My division coraman'ers re- 
 ceived their orders direct from General Hill, and I refer you to their 
 reports • 
 
 Breckinridge's division having fallen back, and General Hill having 
 reported Cleliurne's division, on Breckinridge's left, r >uted, my re- 
 serve corps h:ivirig fallen back iu detachments", in which they wore 
 sent i-n, and a calumn having been observed marching down the Chat- 
 fcinooga road, on our right, I was conipolUd to in.sist on having pome- 
 thing to do with my own command. With our right flank expose<l to 
 their advancing column, the reported gap that the withdrawal of 
 Cleburne had made, on the left, I was in favor of fo^rniing the com- 
 mand in a strong position about one hundred an! fifty or two hundred 
 yards in rear of us, until we afcettaintd {''aiiively the coiidition of 
 our fiuks, and then make the best di,-'pot»!iion of the ci mbincd force 
 and stiike the enemy to the best advautagft. General Hill, diff' ring 
 with me. ordered his lines rf battle, one at jiglit angle', 'o the ()tli: r. 
 (iciMTul Breckinridge being .it rii^ht angles to mine, he facing ^^outh- 
 ^Ward to oppose the forcft then coming from Chattanooga, and I facing 
 westward toward the enemy wchail been fighting. We were in this posi- 
 tion wljen one of General Polk's aids rode up and told General Hill 
 that GenersJ' Polk had directed him to order General Hill pctctnptorily 
 to adv.Tbce iamediatc'y on the enemy. General Gist was then ordered, 
 by me, to move his division in the direction of the enemy, anil Gen-* 
 eral l.iddcirs division was ordeicd on his light. Generals Bieckin- 
 fiiige and Cheathara were- in rear and on (ieneral Gist's left. 1 he 
 coinmand marched forward. I refer you to General Gist's and Gene- 
 ral Lifldell's reports for the result. 
 
 My command bivouacked on the battle-field, and the enemy re- 
 treated in the direction of Chattanoogii. 
 
 I owe it to myself, and to the ga.llant command under me, to state 
 that when I reported to General Hill, had ho permitted me to fight 
 my reserve corps according to my,own judgment, and had not disin- 
 tegrated it, as he did, by sending it in* detachments, I would have 
 formed my five batteries on the left flank of the enemy toward 
 the Chattanooga road, and rpcned fire upon the enemy's fUnk. and 
 would h;ive either pushed them forward, supported by infantry, or 
 bave marched past them with my combined force, and I feel satisfied 
 that the enemy 8 left would have bcei, carried much easier than it was, 
 and many a gallant man have been saved, and the enemy's retreat in- 
 tercepted. 
 
58 • 
 
 r refer the commanding General to the reports of the division and 
 bri;;a(le commanilerfl for ihe conduct of their officers on the field. 
 
 In the three d;ivs'' fighting I had the lionor to command the {rallant 
 reserve corps. 1 witnessed nothing but a heroism thsit was v,orthj 
 of men bactiing for their freedom. To ilie division and brigade cora- 
 inanders. General (.ti^t•, commanding division composed of (reneral 
 Gist's, (ieneral Ector's and Colonel Wilson's brigndes. and CJeneral 
 Liddell. coiumajiding division composed of (ieneral Waltliall's an^ 
 Colonel (tovan's brigades, 1 have onl\- to say that the brigadier gene- 
 rals fought with a gallantry that entitle them to division commands, and 
 the colon.-li comiiianding brigades wi-.h an ob.?tinacy and courage that 
 entitle tliem to the ra^k of brigadier generals. The conduct of col- 
 onels, commanders of batteries, line officers and privates is recoided 
 by their respective commanders. 
 
 I may be pcrmitte<i in my own division, which was commanded on 
 Sunday by (ieneral Gist, to state that Colonel Wilson, who. com- 
 m-uided a brigade on both Saturday and Sandny. and acted with great 
 distinction, atid who is the oldest colonel irom (icorgia, is entitled, 
 from long service with the brigade and from gallant conduct, to the 
 coiiimand of the ticorgia brigade he now conimamU in the capacity of 
 brigadier general ; and that the gallant Stevens, of (jist's brigade, 
 (who was severely wounded.) from what I know of his capacity as an 
 officer, fro!!i his gallantry on the field, and from his devotion to the 
 cause, would grace any position that might be conferred. 
 
 To my staff, Captain J. B. dimming, assistant a-'jutant general, 
 Captain S. JI. Crump, assii-tant inspector general, Lieutenants Lamar 
 and Kenan, aids-de-camp. Lieutenant Magrn(Jer, ordnance officer, who, 
 vaa on t-lie 6eld with me, and Captain M. H. Tallbot, volunteer aid, 
 I am indebted for distinguished and gallant service on the fi^d, and 
 to (Ja)itiiin Troup, assistant adju*ant general, who was dangerously 
 wounded whilst carrying an order in the thickest of the fight. From 
 ■ the character of the fighting, on both Saturday and Suniiay, they were 
 greatly exposed, and bore themselves as became gentlemen and sol- 
 diers fighting for all that is dear. 
 
 For the gallant dead we can but mourn. The noble, br.'vve and 
 ' chivalrous Cohjtiitt, who fell in command of (Jiit's brigade, was a sol- 
 dier and a geniieman, a christian and a friend. I hope I will be ex- 
 crn-cA for paying, in ray report, a tribute to his worth. 
 
 A map of the field and a list of casualties will accompany this 
 report. 
 
 Gregg's brigade, Tvhich now forgis a part of Walker's division, re- 
 potted during the battle to Major General Hood, whose official report 
 will, doubtless, give an account of its operations. 1 am proud to hear 
 it behaved with great gallantry. 
 
 1 am, Colonel, very respectfully. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 W. H. T. WALKER, 
 Major General commanding Division. 
 
REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL JOSEni WHEELER. 
 
 IIeadquaptkrs Cavai.rv Corps, ) 
 October 3(ltb, 18C3. \ 
 Colonel Gf.orce Vi. Brk.nt. 
 
 jLssiilajit /idjviniit Gtr.iral Army of Tmntssee : 
 ''oLONF.u: Ilavinp been called upon to report the operations of my 
 iiiand dnrin^ami incident upon the battle of Chickamaiiga, I have 
 honor to make the f 'lowing statiment of facts, in order simply tode- 
 eignatc the position of the command. 1 cannot, in justice to the offi- 
 cers and men. make a full official report, until the reports of subordi- 
 nate commanders h.ive been received. I trust, however, this state- 
 ment will answer until a full report can be prepared : 
 
 On the 27th August my command, consisting of Wharton's and 
 Martin's division^ and Roddy's biigade, wore stationed a8folloT^H: 
 Estis' rcginjent, of Wharton's division, picketing Tennessceriver from 
 Bridgeport to Guntersville ; Wade's regiment, Martin's division, from 
 Guntersville to D-catur. and detachments from Koddy's biigade from 
 Decstnr to the mouth of Rear creek. The mnin body of Wharton's di- 
 vision was stationed near Rome, Ga ; of Martin's division near Alexan- 
 diiii, Alabama, and of Roddy's brigade cear Tuscumbia, Alabama. Two 
 regiments of the corj)' were on detached duty with General I'illow. 
 
 On tiie 27th General Martin's command, numbering about twelve 
 hundred men. was ordered to Trenton, and Geneial Whaiton's to 
 the vicinity of Chattanooga. 
 
 On the 29ih, the enemy crossed the TennesFee river in force, driv- 
 ing back the pickets of Colonel E.*tis' regiment. About five hun- 
 dred men of General Martin's division under Lieutenant Colonel Mai- 
 den, moved op Wills' valley and were placed on picket duty below 
 Chattanooga. 
 
 It now berame evident that the enemy were moving two divisions 
 of tavalry and McCot'k's corps of infantry over Sand mountain and 
 into \S ills' valley by the Caperton road. I was ordered to' take post ■ 
 in Rrocmtown valley, for the purpose of picketing the passes of Look- 
 out mountain. General Martin, with jibout twelve hundred men, 
 guarded the passefe from the Tennessee river to Neil's (>ap, and Gen. 
 V barton from. Neil's Gap to Gadsden. These commands kept the en- 
 emy continually observed, and full reportB concerning him were sev- 
 er.il times each day sent to array headquarters. Several columns of 
 the enemy's cavalry were pubhcd over the mountain, all of which 
 were successfully driven back. 
 
 On the 12th Sefiterobcr, McCook's corps of infantry and Stanley's 
 corps of cavalry moved over the mountain at Alpine, and, after a »o- 
 Tere fight, our cavalry (under Colonel Arery, m most gallant and d>»-. 
 ereet officer) was compelled to fall back. 
 
 >*kirmishing continued nearly every day until the 17th, when I 
 Was ordered to move into McLtmore'scove, by I)ogand Catleti"« gaps, 
 ud attack the enemy, in order to make a demonstiation in that di- 
 
60 ^ 
 
 rcclion. Wc fought for some hourf, driving the enemy for some ilia- 
 tance, but finally developed a force too large to be dislodged. 
 
 On the following day we moved to Owens' ford, onCi:ickiun;iuga river, 
 leaving heavy picket* at all the gaps of the mountain as far as Gadsden. 
 
 About two, P. M., I learnpil the enemy's cavalry were moving up 
 McLetnnre's cove. I. moved acroAS the river ao'd warmly assailed their 
 flank, dividing the column and driving the enemy in confusion in both 
 directions. ,, 
 
 Dur ng the night I received orders to guard well all the passes of i| 
 the mountain an 1 all the fords of the river down to Oensral Long- " 
 street's left flank, an 1 to attack the enemy at every opportunity wiiioh 
 presented itself This order was complied with, an I tho remaind-rof 
 my force was concentrated at Glass' mill. A con.si lera'jle force of the ^ 
 enemy, with artillery, were deployed on the opposite biiik, and warm ■ 
 pkirmishin;; comineuced. As soon as arrangements ci>uld be made. [ * 
 dismounted all my available force, crossed and warmly assailed ihs 
 enemy, hoping that we might draw troops from t'ao centre, *nd 
 thus creatS a diversion. After a short fight, the enemy wavered. 
 We charged him and drove- a largdy superior force fully two 
 miles to Crawfish Spring, killing and wounding large numbers 
 and taking thirty-five officers .in 1 men prisoners, besides the wouado.l. 
 We were successful in creating the diversion, as tho enemy thought 
 our advance a heavy flank raijvement, and reinfj.'-ced this point he-i- 
 vily. The enemy, in his accounts of the battle, state that General 
 l/ongstreet fl. inked iiim at this point at the hour we made, the attack. 
 At this time I received orders to move my available force to Lee and 
 Gordon's mills, and uttack the enemy. We arrived at that place ab tut 
 three o'clock, 1\ M., crossed tho river, and vigorou.sly assailed hiin. 
 After a short time, he commence<i retreating in confusion. We fol- 
 lowed as rapidly as possible, capturing about one thousand prisoners, 
 twenty wagons, and a large amount of aims and orduaocc stores. 
 About dark, we also captured five large liosjdtals, with a considerable 
 supply of medicines, camp equipage, and a great number of wouUiKd 
 prisoners, besides over one hundred surgeons. The pursuit was c^->n- 
 tinued till two hours after nightfall, when wo retired to feed our 
 hiorses. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 21st I detached two regiments, pur- 
 suant to orders, to pick up stragglers and urms. About nine, A. M., 
 1 received orders from" General Longstreet to send a force of cavalry 
 to find the enemy's position. At the same time I received ord'jrs 
 from General Bragg, through Colonel McKinstry, to save the cap- 
 tured property. To accomplish both these objects, I detailed live 
 hundred of my best mounted men, under Colonel Anderson, to com- 
 ply with General Longstreet's order, with full instructions to report 
 every hour to that officer. As previously stated, two regiments were 
 •already at work collecting stragglers and arms, leaving with mo but 
 about seventeen hundreil men. Just at this time I received informa- 
 tion from my pickets at Owen's ford that the enemy, in large force, 
 was driving back our cavalry from that point. It was also reported 
 that the enemy had a large train of wagons with him. At the same 
 
«1 
 
 time I obserTed s heavy dnst in Chattanooga valley, which appeared 
 
 • . iiidicate a movement from Chattanooga, along the foot of Lookout 
 
 mtain, tov.ards McLemore's cove, for the purpose of succoring the 
 
 . niand reported at Owen's ford. I imnieiliately moved over to Chat- 
 
 !-i':(iojTa vallev and drove back towards Chattanooga the fcrce which 
 
 V T-^ marching from that place. I then left the eighth Texas rangers 
 
 i Diy eHCort to hold the enemy, in check, while, with the balance of 
 
 rriDtnand. I moved up towards McLemoie's cove. 
 
 \fter marching al out five miles we met a large force of cavalry, 
 
 \~' -h, seeing the dust of our approach, had deployed a considerable 
 
 ■ • e in a strong position. 1 immediately defjoyed two re;?iments and 
 
 incnced t^kirmihhirig. Finding their position strong, I detached a 
 
 iilron to turn their right flank. This caused the enemy to waver, 
 
 n we charged in line and also in column on the road, driving him 
 
 f'lifusion. The enemy attempted to form a new line with his 
 
 trvea several times, but we met him with such force as to di.'perse 
 
 i iMi each time, driving him before us. We continued the charge seve- 
 
 iniles, capturing, killing, or dispersing nearly the entire command, 
 
 'ill number about two thousand men. We secured immediately 
 
 n the road only about four hutidred. We also captured eighteen 
 
 1 cf colors, and tecured their entire train, numbering about ninety 
 
 • >n8, loaded with valuable baggage. Many of the men who escaped 
 1^ adjoining woods were picked up on the following morning, and 
 
 about sevt-nty-five men. half of whom were dismounted, suc- 
 led in joining the Federal army. We aUo captured a number of 
 3;i..s. The wagons and mules were turned over to the chief quarter- 
 CDfl'ter of army of Tennessee. 
 
 <>n the following morning, pursuant to orders, wc pressed on to 
 
 "'•bin one mile and a (|uarter of Chattanongs, driving the enemy's 
 
 ::]ry behind his infantry. We remaitaid in this position until night, 
 
 n, pursuant to orders, J proceeded towards Tren 'on,' preparatory 
 
 foSfing the Tennessee river. After one day's march, I received 
 
 • IS to return and sweep up Lookout mouat&iu to Point Lookout. 
 ■ oHer was received at two. 1*. M.. and I immediately started with 
 
 »n w'lvance guard of two hundred men. ordering the cummand to follow. 
 
 ' n arriving at 8ummertown at dark, I found one regiment of the 
 
 ".'• behind stronj barri'^ades. I dismounted my men to feel their 
 
 1 m and charged their flanks, driving them for some distance. In 
 
 !i»sty retreat they left several guns, knapsacks, overcoats and 
 
 sing utensils, also their supper already cooked. By that time I 
 
 iicd that my command had been utoppcd and ordered to Chicka- 
 
 :2a station. I, however, with my small command, which numbered 
 
 hundred and five dismontited men, pressed the enemy off the 
 
 ntain. 
 
 After surveying the enemy's works, and reporting fully his position 
 
 lo t(.p commanding (Jeneral, I prf>cecded to Chickamauga station, 
 
 whfte I received orders to cross the 'Tennessee river above CLatta- 
 
 uoo;:.^. Daring the night, however, I received orders to move 
 
 towards Charleston to support General Forrest, who was moving apoo 
 
 the cnemj in that direction. 
 
62 
 
 On the 29th I received orders to cross the Tenncasep liver with 
 th'it portion of ray command then with me (one bri(»:ide having been 
 lel't with the army) and three brigades which General Forest had been 
 ordered to send me. 
 
 On the morning of the 3nth, I lenrned that these commands hsd 
 just arrived at a point about twenty miles from the point of crossing. 
 I ordered thetn to the latter pUce, nnd proceeded there with the com- 
 mands of Generals Wharton and NLirtui. The enemy had occupied 
 the opposite bank, and immf'diately concentrated a force nearly, if 
 not quite, cijuiil to our own to re.»<ist our crossing. This lorco had 
 followed me up the river, and I founil that any point at which I .should 
 attempt to cross could bo rc»ched as easily by theni as by my com- 
 mand. Under these circumstiinces. I determined to cross at the point 
 I then was. The three lirigades from General Forrest were more slcol- 
 ctons, scarcely avcraf^ing five hundred elFeccive men each. Those 
 were badly armed, had but a small supply of ammunition, and their 
 hors(!8 were in horrible coniiition, having been inarched continuou^^ly 
 for three days and nights without removing saddles The men were 
 worn out and without rations. The brigade commander.^ made moat 
 urgent protests against their commands being galled upon to move in 
 this condition. With this state of things I allowed the worst horse* 
 to be returned to the rear, and with the remainder crossed in the face 
 of an enemy nearly as large as our own force. AVe assailed and drove 
 the enen.y about three miles. 
 
 On the morning of November 2d I reached Sequatchie valley, and at 
 three o'clock on the fullowing morning proceeded down towards Jasper, 
 with about fifteen hundred men. After travelling about ten miles we 
 overtook and captured thirty-t\ro si.K-mule wagons, which were de- 
 ptroyed. The mules wore carried on with the command. 
 
 On approaching Anderson's cross roads we were met by a consid- 
 erable force'of cavalry, which we charged and drove before us. We 
 here found a large tr:;in of wagons, which proved to extend from the 
 fop of Waldron's ridge for a <lifltaiice of "ten miles toward.^ Jasper. 
 This train was heavily loiuieil with ordnance, quartermaster and eoin- 
 luissary stores. Tho nundier of wagons was variously estimated at 
 from eight to fifteen hundred. No one saw, perhaps, more than half 
 the train. The (juartermaflter in charge of the train, as well as other 
 employees, stated that there were eight hundred si.\-niule wagons, 
 besides a great number of sutler wagons. The train was guarded by 
 ;i brigade of cavalry in front and a brigade of cavalry in rear, and on 
 the flank, where we attacked, were Btaiioned two regiments of in- 
 fan'ry. After a warm fight the guards were defeated and driven off, 
 leaving the entire train in our possession. After stdecting susih 
 rnulfs and wagons as we needed, we then destroyed the train by- burn- 
 ing the wagons and subering or shooting the mules. Daring this 
 worv ray pickets were driven in on both fianks and my rear. Fortu- 
 iitttcly the enemy was repulsoir, ami wo roinained undisturbed for 
 ^'igbt hours, and until our work whs thoroughly accomplished. Just 
 before dark, as we were retiring, » large force of cavalry and infantry 
 •jjovcd upon U8 from Stephenson, skirmishing with our rear until 
 
63 
 
 d»Tk. During this General Martin, Colonel Arerj and Lieutenant 
 Colonel Griffith were distinguished for pallnntry. During the ni^^ht 
 I moved over Cumberlaml raouiitain, and early next moruinjr joined 
 General Wharton near the foot' of the mountain, and went forward to 
 attack McMinnville. ^ The enemy was pressing close hehind, but wo 
 eucceeded in capturing the place, with an enormous supply of quarter- 
 master and commisflary stores, with the fortifications and garrison, 
 which numbered five hundred and eighty-seven men. with arm?, ac- 
 contrera*-nts, &c. Two hundred horse? were also captured. The day 
 and night were occupied in destroying the stores, a locomotive, a 
 train of cars, and a bridge over Hickory creek — such of the stores aa 
 couM be transported having been distributed to the command. 
 
 On the following day we marched to Miirfrccsboro'. After mnking 
 » demonstration upon the place we moved over. and. after a slmrt 
 fight, captured a strong stockade guarditig the railroad bridge over 
 Stone river, with its garrison of fifty-two mm. The da.\ wis occu- 
 pied in cutting down the bridge and thoroughly burning the timb"r. 
 We also burned the railroad ties and track for three miles below the 
 bridge. 
 
 The following day we destroyed a train and a quantity of stores at 
 Christiana and Fcsterville. and destroyed all the railrnad bridges and 
 tressels between Murfreesboro' and Wartrace, including all the large 
 bridges at and near the latter place, capturing the guards. &c. Wo 
 tiso captured and destroyed a large amount of stores of all kinds at 
 Bhtlbyville — the enemy running from his strong. fortifications upon 
 our approach 
 
 That night I ordered Davidson's division to encamp on Duck river, 
 near Warner's bridge ; Martin's division two miles further down, and 
 Wharton's two miles below Martin's. During the eveninj^ I Icartied 
 that the enemy, who had been closely pursuing, had encamped near 
 Frazier's farm. I immediately informed General r>avid.''on of the 
 position of the enemy, and directed him to keep the enemy observed, 
 and to join me should the enemy move toward-) him. This order w_i8' 
 •hortly after repeated with this modification, that he should move nn- 
 mediately to my position (Crowell's mill ) Unfortunately he failed to 
 comply with this order, ar.d bn the following moining was attacked 
 by a superior force of the enemy. I received two consecutive de- 
 spatches from General Davidson which indicated he was movrng down 
 Duck river, but on questioning his cpuriers, I s'^ccrtained ili:it he *a» 
 moving towards Farinington. I immediately started at a trot towards 
 Farmington, with .Martin's division, orderitig General Wharton inid 
 the wagoDf! to follow me. 1 reached Farmington just in time to jlico 
 five regiments of Martin's command in position when the enemy ap- 
 peared. I had ordered (General i>avidsfin to form in column by fnura 
 OB the pike, and to charge tiie enemy when tliey were repulsed bjr 
 Martin's division. (Jeneral Davidson having officially reported to me 
 th»t only three regiments of the eneiry h;i.l been pe<-n during the day. 
 The tiie'igenjetii cmni'^nced warmly, l>ut the Cicmv was soon re- 
 ! r«il8e<l. General DaMd^fm had failed to form as stated, and, in.'tead, 
 \ kad moved for some distance. The enemy soon after came op in 
 
 I 
 
64 
 
 etrong force, with s division of infantry and a division of cavalrj. 
 AVe fought them with ^;reat tvarmth for twenty mitiutes when wt 
 charged the line anfl drove it back for some distance. General Whar- 
 toh'a column and our train having now' passed, and the object for which 
 we fought being accoo-plished, wc withdrew, without being followed by 
 the entiny. 
 
 The enemy, in his own account of the fight, acknowledged a Iocs of 
 twenty-nine killed, including one coKmel.and one hundred atid fifty- 
 Dine wounded. My entire loss was less than one-fourth of the above . 
 figures. . 
 
 A roconnoisflance was made toward.s Columbia, which caused the ene- 
 my to evacuate that [dace and destroy oil their stores, including thirty 
 days' r:<tions fur the garrison 
 
 We then proceeded to the Tennessee river at Muscle Shoals, the 
 only fordable place on the river, where we crossed without difficulty, 
 the enemy reaching the river just after I had crossed. 
 
 Two pieces of artillery of Wiggin's battery having broken down 
 several times, were finally abandoned on account of our utter inability 
 to bring them farther The officers deserve great credit for carrying 
 them 80 far in their disabled condition. One of the limbers of White's 
 battery blew up. which caused it also to be abandoned. Two of the 
 pieces were howitzers, and the other was an iron gua which had been 
 coiidimned at every inspection for the last year. 
 
 During the trip we captured in action sixteen hundred prisoners, 
 and killed, and wounded as many of their cavalry as would cover our 
 entire loss. 
 
 A full report of the casualties in my command during the battle, 
 and during the trip through Middlo Tennessee, will be found in the 
 annexed tabular fttateraent. 
 
 A considerable amount of the property captured on the trip was 
 brought across the river. 
 
 The result of the operations of the cavalry under my command 
 during the battle of Clnekainauga were, first, guarding the left flank 
 of ihe army for a distance of ninety miles, during and for tweniy 
 dajs preceding the battle of Chickainauga, during which time it con- 
 tinually observed and skirmished with the enemy, repelling and do- 
 Teliiping all his diversiins ' During the battle, wiih the available force 
 (winch near exceeded two t!iou-and men) not on other duty, such as 
 guarding the flanks, we fought the enemy vigorously and successfully, 
 killing and wounding large numbers, and capturing two thousand 
 prisoners, o: e hundred wagons and teams, a large amount of other 
 property, and eighteen stand of colors, all of which were turned over 
 to the propi'r authorities. 
 
 To (Jenerala Wharton and Martin, commanding divisions, and Col- 
 onels Wheel r, Mi.rgan, Crews and Harrison, commanding brigades, 
 I tender my thanks for theit zeal, energy and gallantry during the 
 engagement. To Ceneral Davidson and Colonel Hodge, who com- 
 xnaiided the troops which joined me on the expedition across the Ten- 
 nessee riV(.T, I tender my thanks for their good conduct, and that ef 
 their tro'ips during their advance upon McMinnvillo, and to Gener;l 
 
 i 
 
Martin and Colonel Avery for their gallant assietance in tho capture and 
 destruction of the wagon train, and to (Jen. Martin and his command 
 particularlj for their good conduct at Farmington, and their laborioui 
 work in destrojing the biidges on the railroad. General Wharton 
 and his command behnved throughout with their accustomed gallantry. 
 
 I tender my thanks to the following members of my staff for their 
 gallantry an! good conduct, viz: 
 
 Colonel King. Majors' Burford. Jenkins, Ilame and Ilill ; Captains 
 Turner, Powell. Wade, Flush and Kennedy, and Lieutenants Pointer, 
 Wailes, Nichol and Hatch. 
 
 To Miijor Ilume, particularly, am I indebted for his great gallantry 
 during the fight at Farmington, where he was wounded, and to Lieu- 
 tenant Pointer, my aid, for his gallantry duiing a cavalry charge, 
 when he daelied upon the enemy's colo.r-bearer, shot him, and the* 
 turned and brought the colors back to the command. 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JO&EPII WHEELER, 
 
 Major General. 
 
 APPENblX A. 
 
 HF.AnQlARTERS DaVIDSGn's CaVaLRT DiVISION, ) 
 
 October 7, 1863. \ 
 
 To Major General WnEfLtR, • 
 
 Commanding Cavalry .* 
 
 Gotral: The enemy are following me. I am now six mileage- 
 low town, on the sioth side of the river. 
 1 have not yet made a derided stand. 
 Respectfully, 
 
 n. B. DAVinsoN, 
 Brigadier General commanding. 
 
 ntADQUARTERS DAVInf!p>'s CaVALRT DiVIStON, ) 
 
 Alien's //r,«.p, October 3, 1863. S 
 
 Msjor General WiiEtLrn, 
 
 Commanding Cavalry : 
 
 GrvrRAi. : I am moving down the side of the river. The enen^ 
 are following me np. As soon as J can get a position, I will make a 
 ■tand. I think they are in strong force. 
 Respectfully, 
 
 n. B. DAVinsoj«, 
 Brigadier General commandtTig. 
 Troe copit« : 
 
 M, G. Hursow, J. D. C. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL LIDCELL, COMMAND- 
 ING DIVISION. 
 
 Headquarters Lidpeli.'s and Lowby's Brigade, J 
 Clebunit's Ijivimm, A. T., btfoie Chnttoitooga, Te7inessee,^ 
 
 October lU, 1863. ) 
 
 Captain Joseph B. Cumminc, 
 
 A. A. G., late of the Reserve, A. T. : 
 
 Captain: I have the honor to report the action of my division. 
 consisting of Walthall's and Govan's brigades, and constituting a por- 
 tion of the reserve at the battle of Chickamauga : 
 
 About two o'clock, P. M., on Friday, the ISth of September, I 
 was ordered by Major General "Walker to take Alexander's bridge, 
 a<:ro6s the Chickamauga. The recoimoissance Imade was a very hasty 
 and iiijpcrfect one, and, relying chiefly upon the information obtained 
 from General Pegram, I instructed Brigadier General Walthall, of my 
 division, to make an attack upon the enemy in possesion of the bridge. 
 This was promptly executed, and in three-quarters of an hour we had 
 it in possession. The force in our front consisted of Wilder's mount- 
 ed infantry, "from whom were captured a half dozen tr more breech- 
 loading rifles.- Our loss was one hundred and five in killed and 
 wounded, and I can only account for this disproportion from the cflB- 
 ciency of this new weapon, our attack having been made through thick 
 woods and cedar underbrush, rendering the artillery of the enemy 
 that was used on the occasion, comparatively harmless. The bridge 
 hw'ing been torn up, prevented our crossing at that point, and, mak- 
 ing a detour of about a mile and a half northward, we cflected a 
 crossing at Byron's ford, continuing thence our movement to a posi- 
 tion nearly one half mile in front of Alexander's bridge, where we 
 bivouacked for the night on the same ground occupied by a portion 
 of the enemy in our attack on the bridge. 
 
 The next morning, the 1 9ih, about daylight, we continued our move- 
 ment, in the same direction, towards Lee & Gordon's mill, for about 
 one and a half miles furthe'r, where we halted for further instructions. 
 
 About eight o'clock, the firing of General Forrest's cavalry and 
 Ector's and Wilson's brigades, became very heavy in the rear of the 
 direction we were taking, and on the right of our intended liuo of 
 battle. The country arouud was nfostly oak woodland, and in places 
 t£ick underbrush. 
 
 About eleven o'clock, Major General Walker asked me to go with 
 him on a reconnoissance, to know what the(kmonstration meant then 
 being made on our right. • After proceeding northward one and a half 
 miles, we found the enemy pressing back General Ector's and Colonel 
 Wilson's brigades, the latter more or less in confusion, and other evi- 
 dences of attack, making it apparent that a heavy torce was bearing 
 down upon us. I replied to General Walker's inquiry as to what I 
 thought of it, " that I was satisfied a corps of the enemy was about w 
 being thrown forward to turn our right wing, which it was absolutely 
 
n«ccss»ry for us to meet promptly with heavy reinforcements " He 
 agreel with me in this opinion, ami iraincdiately wrote the same to 
 General Rragg. At the same time orders were received by him from 
 General Bragg to attack the enemy immediately with all his force, 
 upon which he instructed ma to brinj up my force to the relief of the 
 two biigades already mentioned, and to retard, if possible, the fur- 
 ther progress of the enemy. As soon as my command could reach, 
 the place, I formed the line facing northward, General Walthall oa 
 the right. Colonel Govan on the left, and at once moved forward to 
 the attack at fifteen minutes past twelve, P. M., cautioning Colonel 
 Govan to look well to his left, as 1 apprehended that his left wing 
 would strike the enemy first, although he w.is not then visible on ac- 
 count of the thick undergrowth. In a few minutes we became hotlj 
 engaged with the enemy's infantry and artillery, and, pressing for- 
 ward with a shout, we captured all the artillery in our immediate 
 front, with many prisoners of the fifth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, 
 eighteenth, nineteenth and twenty-first United States regulars and 
 fourth Kentucky. I ordered the artillery to be taken to the rear as 
 rapidly as possible, but so many horses had been killed that it was very 
 diflicult to secure the pieces. We had now broken through two lines of 
 the enemy immediately in our front, and were just engaging the third 
 when it was discovered that their extendeil lines were overlapping 
 and flanking us, right and left, upon which it became necessary to re- 
 tire rapidly, by a flank movement to the right, to avoid destruction 
 or Capture. After reaching the next hill in rear of us, we found Gen- 
 eral Cheatham's division taking position, having just come up a little 
 too late to our support in action. It was now perfectly clear that 
 we had been opposed to an entire corps of the enemy, (Gen. Thomas',) 
 to drive back which General Cheatham's division soon after proved to 
 be insufiicicnt. My command now having been reformed and rested 
 for a short time, 1 was ordered to the extreme right of General Cheat" 
 ham's line, forming an ^use angle with it, upon reaching wbich«po- 
 '■•■'. n I moved forward to the attaek a second time, in line nearly at 
 ', angles to that assumed by tne in the first attack ; Colonel Govan 
 ■• on the right, and General Walthall on the loft. The latter find- 
 • 'he enemy well posted, and in very strong force, after a contest 
 '. df an hour, was compelled to withdraw about two hundred yards, 
 left regiment ff Colonel Govan's brigade falling back with 
 , The right of Colonel Govan's brigade had captured several. 
 8 of artillery from the enemy, which seemed lightly supported 
 . whilst endeavoring to secure them, was fired upon by ft 
 federate battery, from the rear, the position of the line in the 
 ' rbrush having concealed it from view, thus causitg the mistake. 
 - unlucky accident caused him to retire to the same iine with Gea- 
 (ral Walthall, without accomplishing his object. In this last attack, 
 V - fought over a portion of the ground on the left that we bad>con- 
 led for in the first esgagenrent, the enemy having pushed up and 
 ipied two-thirds of it. It was now within an hour of sunset, whe& 
 •rai Cleburne's division <;ame up in mj' rear, as General Cheat- 
 .8 Lad done in the first fight, and forming his line of three bri- 
 
63 
 
 gades parallel with mine, moved forward over ns upon the enemy, pr 
 
 gapinp liim aboat two burMired yards from my front. This attack I 
 ing sudden and uiiexpectcd, the enemy gave way for a distance of half 
 mile or more, when both parties ceased firing fur the night. It nc 
 beiiijr dark, Tve bivouacked where we were, and next morning, about .-i. 
 o'ciiick, in oledience to orders received from General Walker, I movt. 
 my command with General lictor's brigade, about a mile and ahiif to li 
 right, on the prolongation, and in support of General Breckinridge's 
 right. After arriving there, I was ordered to move forward to the 
 attack in place of (icneral Breckinridge's division, which had been 
 repulfcd in its attiick on ihe enemy's left fl.uik and rear. Here, a; 
 the order ( f Licutenaiit General Polk. Genernl Wall hall's brigmlo wtvs 
 detncled from me and moved to the left of General Gist's brigade, 
 vhieb W88 then m;»kiiig a I'irect attack on the left of the enemy's lino 
 near his breattworks. At the same time an order was given me 1 
 General Hill to take Colonel Govun'i; brigade and move on the Ch:i- 
 ♦.anooga road and engage the enemy in hi.'i rear. This was about elevi' 
 o'clock. 'After moving fo-rward a short di.stance I ordered Culoiu 
 Govan to change direction to the left, which he did, finding the enemy 
 in some woods after passing a small field, and pushing liiiu back to the 
 open ground in rear of the left of his fortifications. This was aboi:* 
 half a mile in advance of Gist's brigade and on the Chattanoo;: 
 road, cut off from all connexion witli any of our forces. After 
 severe engagement, in which the enemy gave way opposite the rig! 
 and pressed forward in large force en the left of the brigade, tin: 
 apparently designing to cut' him off, Colonel Govan was forced t 
 retire rapidly to avoid destryction. 
 
 For the part taken by General Walthall after he was detached fron: 
 me I refer to his report. On reaching the cover of the timber by a 
 circuitous detour to the right, the brigade was baltei and reformed, 
 and Kciou afterwards was joined by General Waltluiira command from 
 the kit of Gist's. . We were ordered now tc^remain in line, awiiting 
 further oidcrs. About six, P M- , Lieutenant General Hill ordered 
 me to move straight forward and occupy the Chattanooga roail. I' 
 requested General Hill to support me on tho left, as I wa^ satisfied 
 from |)ersoiial observation dm ing Colonel Gov^n's attack that, I would 
 be eiiiiladed This he said he would give me and I moved o(f al ouco. 
 The line had pan?cil some little di-Jtaiice beyond ihe Chattttnooga road, 
 meeting with little or no resistance to that poii t, when, as e.xr.ected, 
 it was enfiladed by batteries on both fiank.s, whilst a battery in front 
 played upon it across a wastei Held. 1 immediately placed seven 
 pieces of artillery on a high point on tho light of General Walthall 8 
 brigade, which held the rignt wing, to engage the enemy's batteries 
 and draw the fire, if possible, from the infantry. My line was par- 
 allel with the enemy's works and in his rear, upon his left Hank, 
 nearly half a mile. Here I had baited and ordered the men to lie 
 down, no enemy just then appearing in front. There was a wide 
 open fiolil in front and on my left. The enemy soon after this aj. pa- 
 tently left his works ami pressed upon the rear of my left (link, < 
 whilst his batteries enfiladed me. Soon afterwards a cloud of skir- 
 
69 
 
 aiishers BudJenly emerged from the woo'^s, encircling my front and 
 right wing. From tho combination of iittacks, ray comraan'l was 
 forced to withdraw to avoid being captured. A part of my filcir- 
 snishers were nevertheless captnrod, together with Colonel Scales, 
 thirtieth Mi8sis?inpi regiment, Walthall's brigade. The Federals had 
 left their work.«, at this time, in retreat from the fi(dd, and our whole 
 line was moving upon them. After -reforming my command I moved 
 it to the positi->n on the Chattanooga road, near McDonald's house, 
 where it bivouacked on the ground it was orderel to bold. At ten 
 o'clock, Sunday night, nij pconts reported that the enemy had entirely 
 withdrawn from the field and disappeared towards Lookout mountain. 
 In ihcfe five riifTerent engagements, in the cpace of throe daj's, I lost 
 s great many ofli-ers and men; my loss being one hundred and sixty- 
 two killed, nine hundred and sixty-three wounded, and two hundred 
 and seventy- seven missing ; total, one thousand fourhundredand four; 
 out of an effective" total in both brigades of three thousand one hun- 
 dred and seventy-fivo before aciioa. 
 
 The attack of the enemy being aimed at our right wing, lis force 
 t".<! necessarily large to accomplish his object, and, in every instance, 
 powered me witli nnraberg. In no instance, in the last two day's 
 •. 4iA we m:)ke %n attack without being flanked by theoveilapping 
 ■; of the enemy; and, although forced to give way four different 
 -. serious and heavy loss was inflicted upon the Federals in each 
 k, and the couimand always promptly rallied to renew the engage- 
 .t. 
 
 In connexion with Sunday evening's affiir, it is proper for mo to 
 
 ix^te that the forc^ which was reported by General Forrest, about 
 
 ir, P. M., to Tvieutcnint General Hill to be moving from the direc- 
 
 of Chattanooga, in support of the enemy's left flink, took its 
 
 ;;on in the edge of the woods on the opposite side of the waste 
 
 ;n my front, supported its batteries on ray right flank and front, 
 
 during the last engagement, threw forward its skirmishers, 
 
 li, co-cperating with the attack on my left and rear and the en^- 
 
 g fires of their artillery, kept every movement of their own side 
 
 ■^w as Weil as our own. This force retirr-d with tho balance of 
 
 ' neray at dusk, having apparently accomplished its object of pre- 
 
 og our getting in his rear. • Wc took about eight hundred pris- 
 
 '". nearly all of wljich were regulars in the United States army. 
 
 r CooliiJge, of the sixteent'a United States itfantry, was killed. 
 
 lin Van I'elt, of Loomis' baHery, wa^ captured by the eighth 
 
 insa? and first Louisiana inftntry. Of the pieces captured, four 
 
 w'.re secured by Govan's brigade and one by Walthall's. I refer to 
 
 the reports of brigade commanders for particulars. Colonfd Feath- 
 
 ^ ^^n, of the fifih Arkan«as, was killed early, in the first action. 
 
 "^lel Gilfe^pic and Lieutenant C'.Ione! B-iucum were both wounded. 
 
 -.. iirigadicr General WaUhairs brigade. Lieutenant Colonel McKel- 
 
 Tan^, twenty-fourth Misfi.ssippi, Lieutenant Colonel Morgan, twenty- 
 
 riifith Mississippi, Major I'egram, thirty-fourth Missisiippi, Major 
 
 'ps, twenty-fourth -^lis«issippi, Lieutenant Colonel Jones, twenty- 
 
 iith Mississippi, Major Johnson, thirtieth Missi-ssippi, and Lieu- 
 
70 
 • 
 tenant Colonel RoynoMs, thirtieth Mississippi, were wounded, the last 
 mortally. Officers and men of both brigades behaved with unusual 
 gallantry, and I have the satisfaction of knowing that they did their 
 duty to their country, side by side, against greater odds than they 
 have ever hitherto met. Although no brilliant result? were directly 
 Bccomplished, the record for hard fighting cannot be well surpassed. 
 ■In my humble opinion it is the best evidence of good soldiers, when 
 overpowered by immense numbers on all sides, to be able to rally 
 promptly and return again and again to the contest undaunted. The 
 enemy was held in check by the resolute bravery of my two brigades, 
 united with the rest of General Walker's command, until sufficient 
 support coulil come up to prevent our right flank from being turned 
 by General Thomas' corps. To my two brigade comiiianders. Briga- 
 dier General Walthall and Colonel Govan,. 1 am greatly indebted for 
 their prompt C(j-operation in every movement and quick apprehensioa 
 of the constantly recurring necessities that arise on a battle-field. I 
 know of no more gallant soldiers, and feel honored by the command 
 of euch officers. My staff, Captain G. A. Williams, assistant adju- 
 tant general, and Lieutenant J. L. Bostick, aid-dc-camp, behaved 
 with their usual gallantry and need no commendation at my hands. 
 Lieutenant Dulin, brigade inspector, was slightly \soundcd in t^ fore- 
 head. To my chief surgeon, Dr. McFaddcn, my thanks are due for 
 his prompt attention to the wounded and their rapid removal from the 
 field, however distant they were from the hospital he had been enabled 
 to establish. I would respectfully bring to notice the gallantry of 
 Captain Fletcher, of the thirteenth Arkansas regiment, in repelling 
 the sudden attempt of the enemy to capture two 'pieces of artillery,^ 
 which were unavoidably delayed in bein^ rc-moved fr.om their position, 
 late in the evening of the 20th. I thank God for permitting us to be 
 the survivors of a great victory for our country. 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 JOH^^ R. LIDDELL, 
 • Brigadier General. 
 
I i ' I "^ r I I 
 
RErORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL W. PRESTON, COM- 
 MANDING DIVISION. 
 
 Greenville, South Carolina, Odvhcr 31, 18G3. 
 
 "aptain Gallaher, 
 
 Assistant Afljutant General : 
 
 Captain : I have the honor to transmit, in obedience to orders, a 
 report of the part taken by the division under my comfcaUd in the bat- 
 tle of Chickamauga: , 
 
 On the 18tli of Sfptember our forces advanced in several columns 
 to cross the Chickamauga, and give battle to the Federal army under 
 General Rosencranz. Major General Buckner's corps, consistinji^of 
 Stewart's division and miue, moved on the road to Thedford's ford, 
 and on the evening of that day (Fridity) my command bivouacked at 
 Hunt's or Dalton's ford, on the south bank of the river and east of 
 ::ie road. The skirmi^crs of Colonel Kelley's brigade soon discov- 
 ered the enemy posted along the opposite bank of the stream, extend- 
 ing above in the cfireciion of Lee & Gordon's mill. Soon after 
 nightfall General Grade's brigade was moved across* the ford and 
 established in line of battle, running almost east and west, near 
 Hunt's hou=e, and a few hundred yards horth of the river, where it 
 remained during the night. 
 
 On the next morning my two remaining brigades crossed the river 
 * dawn, and were formed in line of battle in Hunt's field. Stewart's 
 
 vision soon occupied a position on my right, and extemlcd eastward in 
 the direction of Thedford's ford. Riding forward, I fimnd troop.? of 
 BrigadiT General Johnson's and Major General Hood's commands 
 forming in line of battle nearly at right angles to ray own line, f*cing 
 westward, toward the Chattanooga road, and afterwards met General 
 Bragg, Major General Hood and Major General Buckuer, who were 
 conferring together. Having reported to Major General Buckner 
 the position of ray troops, I returned, and about eight o'clock received 
 an order from him to advance through Hunt's field, in the direction of 
 the enemy. Gracie's brigade was immediately conformed to the gen- 
 eral line of battle and moved westwardiy toward the main road — that 
 runs north from Lafayette to Chattanooga. After advancing about 
 six hundred yards it arrived near a sharp curve of the Chickamauga, 
 which impeded further progress. I halted the command on the brow 
 of the hill overloolfing the stream and plain below. The enemy's 
 lines and batteries were discovered about fifteen hundred yards dis- 
 tant, in the direction of Lee &. Gordon's mill, across the bend of the 
 river, which it would have been necessary to cross twice, with an 
 open fi«ld intervening, swept by their artillery, had fhc advance con- 
 tinued straight forward. Having halted Gracie, I drew up Kelly's 
 brigade three hundred yards in the rear, upon a declivity in the field, 
 and "lYigg's brigade about three bundro<l yards in rear of Kelly's, on 
 the prolongation of Bate's brigade, of Stewarts division, which was 
 
72 
 
 on the right — thus forming my division in a column of three brig- 
 »fle9. A tocky hill near Gracie's right, overlooking the fielcl below, 
 sfToriled an excellent position for artillery. Upon it I posted Jof- 
 fiies' battery.* The enemy commenced !>heiling my lines rapiiily, and 
 I lost a coniDiissioned officer killed, and a few men of the sixth Florida, 
 with Lieutenant Line and others of the sixty-third Tennessee wounded. 
 A shot or two was fired by Jiffries, but I ordered the biitterj' to cease 
 firing, as the distance was too great to assure proper accuracy. My 
 troops remained in ranks without further reply, patiently enduring 
 the fire. About twelve o'clock, in compliance with an order received 
 Major General Huckner, I moved my coromnnd by the ri;;ht flunk from 
 about six or eight hundreil ^rds, to a position somewhat west of north 
 from Iluiit's field. Trigj's brigade occupied the front, in a woodland 
 nyr a small cabin. Graeie was formed near Trigg, and Kelly was 
 posted in the rear, .supporting Leyden's battalion of artillery. No 
 farther event of importance occurred during the day to Gracie's or 
 Kelly's brigades. Soon after Trigg occupied his position, some three 
 hundred yards in advance cf Graeie and Kelly, his skirmishers, under 
 Colonel M:ixwell, engoged those of tlie enein^ with spirit, and soma 
 two hours afterwards were driven in by the eneiuj's artillery. There 
 was a small cfru field three or four hundred yards in front of Trigg, ia 
 which the enemy were posted. About two or three o'clock a continuous 
 and heavy fire of infantry and artillery, and their shells exploding be- 
 jond our rear lines, announced a conflict near the field in front. 1 was 
 informed that Hood's division was attacking the enemy in the field, 
 whilst my division was held in reserve Soon after I receivtd an 
 order from Major General Buckner to detach a brigade and reinforce 
 General Hood. For this purpose Colonel Trigg was ordered to ad- 
 vance in the direction of the firing, and to give the required support. 
 The action soon became hot in front. Trigg join;d Brigadier Gen- 
 eral Robertson, of Hood's division, and attacked the enemy. They 
 were broken in coufusion. The sixth Florida, under Colonel Find lay, 
 gastained heavy loss, but owing to some misapprehension of orders, 
 tlie brigade failed to capture ths enemy's battery, or to reap the fruits 
 of their repulse. As 1 was not personally superintending the attack, 
 I refer to the report of Colonel Trigg for details. 
 
 Riding forward, however, I found the evidences of a stubborn and 
 sanguinary conflict in the margin of the wood and the corn field be- 
 yond, from which the enemy were retiring their lines. Night coming 
 on, Trigg bivouacked in the woodlatul near tho edge of the corn-field, 
 while Gracio and Kelly occupied a position in front of a little hut, 
 near which Major General Buckner had established his headquarters. 
 
 1 have no nienns of ascertaining, with accuracy, the loss sustained 
 by Uiy division on Saturday, but estimate it at about one hundred and 
 fifty or one hundred and seventy-five killed and wounded, nearly all 
 of whom were from 'J'rigg's brigade. During the night Gracie's and 
 Kelly's. brigades were vigorously engaged in constructing defences to 
 Btrcngtheu the left, and, in the morning, Williams' and Leyden's bat- 
 talions of artillery v, ere supported bj my infantry, under coVor of 
 good field entrenchments. 
 
On Sujula}', about midday, the battle bccntBO fierce nlong tbe ri^rbt 
 towards Chattanooga, r.nd tLere was a general advance of the left 
 wing, under Licuteunnt (Jotioral Longstrect. Stewart's division and 
 Trigg's brigade were moved forward northwestwardly, in the direc- 
 tion of Brotherton's house, on the Chattanooga riad Under an order 
 from Major General Budiner, 1 ailvanced with Gracie's and Kolly's 
 brig:ides, with tb? exception. of t!ie sixiy-ftfth (ieorgi:i. Colonel Moore, 
 which was left to protect JoflVies' battery, near Hunt's fi'-M. on tho 
 left. Grade's and Kelly's brigad(.'S were formed in line of battle 
 aerosB tbe Chattanooga road, in front of Erotbcrton's ho'.'se, and 
 Trigg a short distance in the rear. The enemy, in some fields on the 
 north, maintained an active fire of fhot and shell on rr.y troops nntil 
 about half past three o'clock, when I received an order to move to- 
 w»r<I Dyer's housr and field to support BrigMdi< r General Kershaw. 
 Guided by Captain Terrill. 1 advanced with Gracie's and Kelly's 
 brigades, Trigg's having been retained near Brothcrton's by Major 
 General Buckncr, to resist an Bpj)rehended attack of cavalry on our left 
 and rear. After moving through the woodland between the Chatta- 
 nooga road and Dyer's farm house, I reached a l:irge fiebl extending 
 ifcrthward to some wooded ravines and heights. These heights stretch 
 nearly cat-t and wrst frcra the Lafayette and Chattanooga road, to 
 another nearly parallel road running from (Crawfish Ppririg to Ros3- 
 ville. and about two iniies west of tho former. F/o:n the edge of 
 (■'s field the ground descend.s to a wooded ravine, and after two 
 i.ree intervening drpie?sions, each succeeding height being more 
 - itcd. you re.ich the summit of the ridge, wl.ich is some two hun- 
 i fret above the level of the | hiin. Along this ri<lge the enemy 
 ■ drawn -up under General Thomas, as it is believer! from the 
 mcnt of prisoners. A strong battery wa.s poj>ted on the loftiest ' 
 most eastern of tbei-c heights, toward Snodgrass hotisc and Chat- 
 tai.ooga On tbe northeast the undulations were gentle, and cleared 
 fields and farms stretched away to the ea&twaid to open and wooded 
 : " riS. 
 
 1 pon these plains the battle had raged during the diy. and the 
 
 lits were the key of the enemy's position, ond his last stronghold. 
 
 ■oon as the adv.inf-e brigade of Gracic rcschcd Dyer's dM, I or- 
 
 d him to form in liiic of battle, with hi^ left wjng resting near » 
 
 [line on the sntnniit of the bill, near the edge of the field, and in 
 
 • of tlic enemy's strongest position. 'I'his was dune with great 
 
 alien and in admirable order I then directed Colonel Kelly to 
 
 I his brigade on the loJt of Gracic, and to ch;inge direction to 
 
 it.f right as he advanced. The owner of the f;irm. John r)yer. one 
 
 of my couriers, gave roe a most accurate and vriluatde description of 
 
 the local topoirravhy, and I directed K'dly to cover and protect 
 
 Gracie's left. Whilst engaged in bringing Kelly into pnyition, (iracie'i 
 
 brit?«de disappeared in the wood, ailvancing against tbe battery hill. 
 
 lered Captain ■ Blackbnrn. my viiluiit»,'cr aid-de-camp, to follow 
 
 ' ascertain from (iencral Grscie by what nnthority he had mov^d. 
 
 '■r«l (iracie replied that he had been' ordered to advance by Brig. 
 
 r General Kershaw, who was in the ravine just beyond the field. 
 
71 
 
 The movement was slightly premature, as Kelly was not formed, 
 but I at ouce orilcred hia brijiade forward, and sent Captain 
 Blackburn to -direct him to oblitiue to the ri^ht again, so fis to 
 press toward the slope of the hill in the rear, wliile Gracie was 
 attacking in fioiit. The enetnv had kept up a rapid artiller}- fire from 
 the hill and across the field, but Gracie, passing through Kershaw's 
 ranks, which were halted in the first ravine beyond the field, dashed 
 over the ridge beyond and into the hollow's between it and the battery 
 hill. The brigade advanced with splendid courage, but was raefby a 
 destructive fire of the enemy from the cover of their field works oa 
 the hill. The second Alabama battalion stormed the hill and entered 
 the cntrenchmt'iits. litre an obstinate and Moody combat ensued. 
 Brigadier Generr.l Gracie, whilst bravely leading his men, had his 
 horse shot under him. Lieutenant Colonel Fulkeraon, commanding 
 the sixty-third Tennessee, Lieutenant Colonel Jolly, of the forty- 
 third Alabama, Lieutenant Colonel Holt, of the first Alabama battal- 
 ion, and Lieutenant (Colonel Hall, of the second Alabama battalion, 
 were severely wounded whilst gallantly leading their respective com- 
 mands in the assault on the hill. Many brave officers and men here 
 fell. 'J"Le brigade carried into action about two thousand and thrqe 
 ofiicers and men, and, in the space of an hour, lost si.x hundred and 
 ninet\'-eight killed and wounded. The second Alabama battalion, out 
 of two hundred and thirty-nine, lost one hundred and si.xtynine 
 killed and wounded. Li the action its color was pierced in eighty- 
 three places, and was afterwards, by request, presented to Ilis Excel- 
 lency the President, who promoted the brave standard-bearer, Robert 
 W. llieth, for conspicuous cour.ige. George W. Norris, of Captain 
 Wise's company, of Hall's battalion, fell at the foot of .the enemy's 
 fiag-staft', and was burieil at the spot where he had so nobly died. 
 
 Grade's brigade advanced between four and five o'clock, and Kelly 
 moved about ten minutes afterwards to assail the second hill on the 
 ridge, three or four hundred yanls west of the battery hill. I ordered 
 him to change direction obliquely to the right, which was promptly 
 done, and in a few minutes the brigade had passed beyond the troops 
 halted on the left of Kershaw's brigade in the ravine and engaged 
 the enemy on the ridge, three or four hundred yards beyond. Then 
 a desperate combat ensued, the hostile forces being not more than 
 thirty or foity yards apart. Kelly gained the hill after a bloody 
 struggle, and the enemy vainly sought to dislodge him from it. 
 
 Just as 1 first iornied, and moved Kelly into action, I met Major 
 General Hindman and staff, on the summit of the hill near Dyer's 
 field. The General though suffering froo a contusion on the neck, 
 from a fragment of shell, remained in the s.addle. He informe<l me 
 of the state of affairs, and assured nie of my opportune arrival, and 
 authorized me to post a battery of his on a point of the field so as to 
 guard against and cover an^' repulse of my troops or any adverse 
 event. This was done by me though I did not learn the name of the 
 ollicer commanding tl!e battery. \Vhen the fire on Graoie und Kelly 
 was fully developed, its great volumt and extent assured me that sup- 
 port was indispensable. At once I dispatched Captain Blackburn, 
 
!>■ ! UY\ hIMIiil" I'dl.K "K LA 
 
75 
 
 Captain Preston an i Lieutenant Johnston, of my Staff, with orders 
 to bring Trigg's brignde forward rapidly, and to inform Major Gene- 
 ral Biickner, at Brothfrton's, of my situation and tbc urgent neces- 
 sity of the order. Shortly after Captain Harvey Jones, A. A Gene- 
 ral of Gracic's brigade, rode up and iDforincd me that Gracie had 
 gained the hill, but could not hold it without reinforcerarfnts. I in- 
 structed him to inform Gracie that the hill must be held at all hazards, 
 ■nd that I would send Colonel Trigg to bis support in a few minutes. 
 Soon after Colonel Kelly sent me word by l^ieutenant McDaniel that 
 he could not hold the hill without succor, and 1 gave him a similar 
 response. This was about the period of the heaviest firo, ai>d I rode 
 forward to where Colonel Kelly was engaged on the hill, and Lieu- 
 tenant Mclianicl brought hioi to mc. I reiterated the order and the 
 assurance of Trigg"s speedy arrival, and passed on to the right, where 
 I met General Gracie. He reportcil his ammunition almost exhausted, 
 and was withdrawing his men to replenis^h his cartridge boxes. 
 
 In the meantime, General Buckner had sent me Colonel Trigg's 
 brigade, which, advancing in double-'|uick time, arrived at a critical 
 moment, while the battle was raging fiercely, (^ne of Trigg's regi- 
 ments went to the support of General Gracie. while the remainder of 
 his brigade was ordered to form on the left of Kelly and to attack the 
 ■ 'my on the ridge. This fresh brigade, moving over the troops halted 
 
 the valley below, assaulted with great ardor the enemy on the left 
 
 ; Kelly, and quickly carried the first ridge/ The fresh and kngth- 
 
 1 Tjing line of (ire from this fine command 'reanimated our men. and 
 
 M.enrtcned the enemy, who reliiiquished their first position, and fell 
 
 ■ k to a second ridge, occupied by a strong force and posted behind 
 i works. A momentary lull ensued. Ijrigadier General Robert- 
 
 I reported to me, and 1 directed him to occupy and hold, the posi- 
 
 n from which Gracie had withdrawn to replenish hi» ammunition. 
 
 <^nt, at this time, for Colonel Kelly, who repBrted in person and 
 '' nned me that the enemy in his front seemed in confusion. I di- 
 
 ted him to use his discretion an<l prefs the advantage by advancing 
 
 far as practicable, with Trigg wheeling to the right toward the de- 
 • Mty of the battery hill, stretching towards Chattanooga. It was 
 
 1 •moonlight, and Kelly returning to his command after a few 
 
 I utes absence fiom it. the fire reopened, and, continuing for a short 
 tnc, ceased. It wa-i the last fire of the •day, and closed the battle. 
 
 in the last attack made by Trigg and Kelly, Colonel Hawkins, of 
 
 the fifth Kentucky, a brave and skilliul officer of Kelly's brigade, 
 
 captured two colonels, one lieutenant colonel, a number of company 
 
 ":< ers, and two hundred and forty-nine jirisoncrs. The twenty-second 
 
 ' bigan, the eighty ninth (Jhio and part of "the twenty-first Ohio 
 
 • ments were captured by Trigg's and Kelly's brigades, and five 
 i.d of coloiB Were taken by sprgeant Tiinmons, of the seventh Plo- 
 
 • ^ regiment, and by privates Hencker, Harris, Hylton and Carter, 
 of the fifty-fourth Virginia. Colonels t'arlton, Lefebvre and Lienten- 
 aot Colonel Glenn were among the prisoners. 
 
 The next morning about four thousand five hondred stand of arm*, 
 }' nhic^i had Icen thrown away by the flying enemy, were secured bj 
 
76 
 
 my comraaiid. I learned th»t Sti^aJraan's division ijnd troops from 
 General Granger's reserve corps b.'ld the hoi;Tlits attacked by my 
 d!vi^i(.n, and from captured artiHorisit?. at Snodgr.is9' house, that the 
 hill hill been occupied by a battery of the regular army and another 
 from Ohio. 
 
 Am"r.j: rhe wounded at Snodgrass' honsc, where a hospital had been 
 e8t:ibli!^hed by the enemy, were ui:iny pri^sonern, some of whom were 
 from Crittendpn'a corps, portions of wbich seem also to have occupied 
 the hill. In the attack on the hill no artillery could be used by us 
 effectively. The struggle was alone for the infantry. Few fell who 
 were not- Btrnck down by the rille or the musket.' Whil-t at the height 
 of the engagement, the reserve artillery of Major Williamp opened 
 fire, by order of Major General Butkner, on the rear lines of tl:e ene- 
 my, but with whiit eflect 1 could not judge. The fire served, however, 
 to dr.iw that of the enemy to another part of the field on my right. 
 As my line advanced, I sent word to General Bucknor, requesting 
 him to cause \\ illiams to cease firing or he would eiifilade my men 
 who had now the ridge, and the batteries were promptly slopjied. The 
 battalion of Georgia artillery, under Major Leyden. was engaged with 
 Colonel Trigg on Saturday, and that of Captain Jeffries, protected 
 by the sixty-fifth Georgia, occupied an important position on the left. 
 Captain Peebles*' battery, of M:ijor Leyden"? command, sustaineil a 
 small loss in the engagement. No opportunity for tho advantageous 
 use of his guns was ofT.'red in that quarter of the field. I refer to 
 Major Leydeu"s report for "details 
 
 The next morning. I r.rdered the burial of the dead. Many of our 
 brave men had fallen in charging the slopes leading to the summit of 
 the ridge. The musketry from the low breastworks of the enemy on 
 the hill attacked by General (irucie, had ?et fire to the dry' foliage, 
 and scorched ami Idackened corp-ses gave fearful proof of the heroism 
 an<l suftering of t\\<f brave men who liad stormed the hill. The ground 
 occu[)ied by the enemy's battery was strewn with slain. More to the 
 north, in a wooded doll in front of Kelly and Trigg, many dead and 
 wounded of the enemy were found, who had fled the combat and sought 
 concealment in its shadows. All the dead along my line, whether 
 friend or enemy, were buried, and the wound:d removed to hospital. 
 
 1 have already mentioned the services of Brigadier General (jra- 
 cie and his coniinand. and di-sire to express my approval of the cinvr- 
 ag« and skill he nianiftsted in the battle. It also aifirds me pleasure 
 to njiice ihe valualde services of Colonel J. M. Moody, Lieutenant 
 Colonel Saiiford, Major McLennan. Captain Walden and Surgeon 
 Luckie, of Gracie's brigade. Colonel Tiigg maintained and incnased 
 bis justly merited re[futation as a brave and skillful officer. Every 
 order was executed* with enery and intnlligence. To the rapidity 
 witL which he moved his command to the support of Kelly's and tJra- 
 cie's brigades, and availed himself of the advantages of the fiehl, I 
 attributed, in a great measure, the success of my command in carry- 
 ing tlje position. Colonel Findli-.y, of the sixth Florida moved at 
 once to my support, witii Lieutenant Colonel Wade, of the fifty-buirth 
 Virginia, while the seventh Florida, under Colonel Bullock, was 
 
BI^AXTON BRAGT. 
 
77 
 
 brought forward by CoIoJicl Trif.'g, in person. During the struggle 
 for the heights. Colonel KpIIj had his horse shot under him. and dis- 
 played great noursge nnd skill. He animated hm men by hiseximple, 
 and with unshaken firmness retained the ground ho had won. During 
 tho aeiion, he wa.s reinforced by a regiment from the brignde of Brig- 
 adier General Patton Anderson, who was in his vicinitv, for which 
 timely aid I dt^ijire to expi-ee.s my oblications 
 
 Colonel Kelly took into action eight bur.dred and seventy-si.x offi- 
 cers nnd men. one of liis regiments (the si.xtyfiftb Georgia) being 
 detached, and lo^t three hundred killed and wounde<l. Colonel I'aliner, 
 of the fifty- eighth North Carolina, though wounded, remain- d on the 
 ^!d, and bravely comrnandcfJ his regiment. J.,ieatenilnt Colonel Ed- 
 muni Kirby, a young, brave and lamenied officer of the same regi- 
 ment, fell early in the action. Captain Lynch, of the Bixty-third 
 Virginia, an i Lieutenant Colonel C inner. Major Myneher and Adju- 
 tant Thoma.s IJ. Cook, of the fifth Kentucky, merit honorable men- 
 tion. Captain .Joseph Desha, of the fifih Kentucky, who, though 
 painfully wounded, remained on the field until the enemy was de- 
 feated, deserves especial commendation. Captain Desha has been 
 often in action, and always honorably nientioned, and I respectfully 
 recomraejid hirn for promotion. 
 
 The actual i^trcngtb of the command taken by me into action on 
 Sunday was three thousand seven hundred and fifty-two men. and 
 three htJiJre'l and twcnty-^ix officers, being an aggregate of four 
 thousand and seventy-eight infantry, and my total loss in the battle 
 was tv.elve boudred and 8cventy-fiv» killed and wounded — and sixty- 
 one missing, nenily all of the lost having be< a subi-cquently counted 
 for. 
 
 \ desire to express ray thanks to my staff for the efficient aid they 
 
 lercd me. ■Nlijor W M. Ow'en, chief of artillery ; Captain Sand- 
 ford, a.o^ist.mt «djutant general; Ca;jtain Edward C. Preston, divis- 
 ion inspector; Lieutenant Edward Whitfield, ordnance oiliiicr ; Lieu- 
 
 nt Adams, a^Ki.stJnt adjutant and inspector general ; Liiutenant 
 
 :tjs H JnhnMon, ail de-camp, an'i Captain J C. Blackburn vol- 
 
 : tcer aid-de c imp. were aitively employed during tlie. battle, and I 
 
 I- nder to them tir- .Tsurance of my cense of their valii ible servics on 
 
 ;' fi"!d. Lieatei.'irit Bo»lefc,'of Morgan's cavalry, wa? ieuj[,o..irily 
 
 i;h d to my 8.' iff, and asiii!<ted me greatly during ta.' erigage'n°nt. 
 jor Edward Cruehfield, quartermaster, and M-joi Braclforii were 
 
 er orders a short dii-tance in thfe rear, but availed ibecnselveg of 
 
 1 interval to join roe at the front, and fulfilled their respective dn- 
 lu'S to^ny entire satisfaction. Surgeon Benjamin Gillespie, by the es- 
 tablishment of field hospitals and bis care of the wounded, merits my 
 •"•(T.ks and official notice. 
 
 Enclosed I tran«mii the report, of General Graeie. Colonels Kelly 
 i Tfigg. with others of suhordinate officers. 1 refer to them for 
 many details which cannot he embraced in this report, and invite at- 
 tention to the inptsnccs of ^kill and gallantry shown by officers and 
 men which they record. The troops of my division had never been 
 engaged in any important battle, having been atationed during tkc 
 
78 
 
 war chiefly in southwestern Virginia and east Tennessee, to defend 
 their mountain pusses from invasion. Hehl iu reserve while the con- 
 flict raged around them for a d:iy and a half, they uv.uiifested a noble ardor 
 to share its dani,'ers and its glories. Though long iu service, and not 
 aspiring to the title of veterans, I felt strong conlidence in their pa- 
 triotism, courage and discipline. The hour for the trial of all these 
 great qualities arrived; every hope was justified, andj feel assured 
 t^hat both officers and men won honorable and enduring renown upoa 
 the memorable field of Chickamauga. 
 
 I have the honor to remain vour obedient servant, 
 
 W. I'RESTON, 
 Brigadier General, P. A. C. S. ^ 
 
 TABULAR STATEMENT of the strength of Preston's Division in 
 the Battle of Chickamnugn, and the Return of the Killed, Wounded mid 
 Missing. 
 
 1 
 
 ErFECTlTE 
 
 Strengto. 
 
 Killed, Wooded iSD Mifsino 
 
 
 Sept. 19,1803 
 
 Sept. 20, 1868 
 
 Kil 
 
 ed. • 
 
 M'oa 
 
 )dud. 
 
 H!bB 
 
 ins. 
 
 Total. 
 
 COHMiND. 
 
 ? 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 .S 
 
 i 
 
 1 ' 
 
 c 
 
 Is 
 
 oJ 
 48 
 57 
 
 o 
 
 
 O 
 
 9i 
 
 c a 
 
 c 
 
 
 Oracle's Brigade 
 
 135 
 119 
 
 103 
 
 1,S92 
 1,417 
 1.037 
 
 134 
 
 lOS 
 84. 
 
 1,800 
 
 1,091 
 
 •91 
 
 6 
 3 
 
 14 
 
 19 
 15 
 
 21S 
 323 
 
 
 27 
 5 
 29 
 
 61 
 
 726 
 3S2 
 
 
 329 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 303 4,448 
 
 3J6 
 
 3,7.'i2 
 
 164 
 
 68 
 
 1,014 
 
 
 1,336 
 
 — * 
 
 •Iho sUty-fiflh Georgia detached on September 30th. ^ PRESTON 
 
 Brigadier Gmr-il commanding Division. 
 
 t 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL N. B. FORREST, COM- 
 MANDING CAVALRY. 
 
 IIeadqvartv.rs Forrest's Cavai.rv Command, } 
 JMhm, ffeorg'.a, October 22, 1863. ^ 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel George W. Brent, 
 
 A. A. General Army of Tennessee : 
 
 Colonel: I have the honor to forward the following repor* of the 
 operations of my coinmaud during the action at Chiokainauga creek on 
 the 19th and 2Uth ultimo ; also a brief statement of its movements 
 and engagements prior and subsequent to the battle of Chickaraauga, 
 accompanying it with the reports of Brigadier General Pegram, com- 
 manding divi.«ion, and Colonel J. L. Scott, commanding brigade. No 
 report from Brigadier General Armstrong, commanding first division 
 of the corps, has been received. A report is also due from Brigadier 
 General Davidson, who commanded a brigade of General Pegram's 
 division during the battle of Chickamauga. The reports of both 
 officers would no doubt have been furnished but for the movements in 
 East Tennessee, and afterwards under General Wheeler in Middle 
 Tennessee, which gave no time or opportunity to make them out. 
 
 OnthePth ultimo I was ordered to establish my headquarters at 
 Dalton, and my command was located and disposed of as follows: 
 Colonel Hodges' brigade was sent on the Cleaveland and Dalton road 
 to meet the enemy — then reported at Athens, Tennessee, and advanc- 
 ing ; Colonel Scott's brigade was ordered to Ringgold, Georgia, to 
 watch the enemy on the road from Chattanooga to that point ; Gen- 
 eral Pegram was left at or -near Peavine church., and Brigadier 
 General Armstrong's division was locate<i in front of General Cheat- 
 ham's infantry division, on the Chattanooga and Lafayette road. I 
 retained with mo at Dalton about' two hundred and forty men of 
 General Morgan's command. 
 
 The reports of General Pegram and Colonel Scott sufficiently de. 
 tail their operations prior to the battle of Chickamaoga, and require 
 no further comments here. 
 
 On Thursday, 1 7th ultimo, I moved from Dalton, and on Friday 
 morning from Ringgold to Peavine creek, having within'? Morgan's 
 men (under Lieutenant Colonel Martin) and niy escort, and met the 
 enemy's cavalry (>Iintry'8 brigade) at Peavine creek. Dismounting 
 Lieutenant Colonel Martin's command, and, assisted by Brigadier 
 General B. R. Johnson's command, the enemy were driven across the 
 Chickamauga at Reed's bridge, at which point I was joined by Gen- 
 eral Pegram's division.* Crossing the creek at a ford above the bridge, 
 the country was scoured for a mile west of the bridge. General 
 Hood's command of infantry also crossed the Chickarosuga and forraeil 
 in line of battle, my command bivouacking on the fieU in the rear of 
 line, near Alexander's bridge. 
 
 ' '11 the morning of the 19th, I was ordered to move with my com- 
 
80 
 
 mand down the road towards Reed's bridge and develop the enemy, 
 ■which was promptly done, and their advance was soon engaged at the 
 steam saw raiJ-l near that point. Finding the enemy too strong for 
 General Pegrauj's force, I despatched a staff officer to Lieutenant 
 General Polk's quarters for General Armstrong's division. lie could 
 only spare Dibrell's brigade, which arrived shortly after we engaged 
 the enemy, was speedily dismounted and formed, and, with General 
 Pegram's division, were able to hold position until infantry reinforce- 
 ments arrived, the first brigade of which, under Colonel Wilson, 
 formed on my left, advance<l in gallant style, driving the enemy back 
 and capturing a battery of artillery. My dismounted cavalry advanced 
 with them. The su[jerior force of the enemy compelled us to give 
 back uncil reinforced by General Ector's brigade, when the enemy 
 were again driven back. From statements of prisoners captured, the 
 enemy's force eniraged was four brigades of infantry and one of cav- 
 alry. Ijut when driven back the second time, with the loss of another 
 battery, their full force was developed, and, being met and overpow- 
 ered by vastly superior numbers, we were compelled to fall back to our 
 first position. A cavalry charge was made to protect the infantry as 
 they retired, which they did in good ordt'r, though with loss. We 
 captured many prisoners, but were unable, for want of horses, to 
 br.ng off the guns captured from the enemy. Until the arrival of 
 Major General Walker, (being the senior officer present,) I assumed tem- 
 porary command of the infantry, and I must say that the fighting and 
 the gallant charges of .the two brigades just referred to e.^citnl my 
 astoiiithment. They broke the enemy's line, and could not be halted 
 or withdrawn until nearly surrounded. We fell back, fighting and 
 contesting the ground, to our original position, near the mill on the 
 Reed's bridge road. General <,'heathani's division coming up and 
 engaging the enerny, drove them for some distance, but was, in turn, 
 compelled to fall hack. Seeing General Maney's brigade hard 
 presBed and retiring before the enemy, I hastened to his relief with 
 Freeman's battery of six pieces, dismounting Colonel DibVell's brigade 
 to support it. The comiuct of Major John K. , 'chief of artil- 
 lery, and the officers and men of this battery, on this occasion, de- 
 serves special mention. They kept up a constant and destructive 
 fire upoii ttio enemy until they were witl.iu laity yards of the guns, 
 getting cff the tieid with all their guns, ii«:>>vh1, standing the loss of 
 horses. Thsv wuie gallantly protected by C lunel Dibrell in retirin,g, 
 who fell back with the line of infantry. General Armstrong, having 
 be^n released by General Polk, arrived with his brigade and took 
 coraii and of his division, forming it, and, with Pegram's division, 
 holding the road to Heed's bridge, which had been repaired during 
 the day. 
 
 On Sunday morning, the fOth, I received. orders to move up and 
 keep in line with General Breckinridge's division, which I did, dis- 
 mounting all of General Armstrong's division, except the first Ten- 
 nessee regiment, cf McDonald's brigade, holding General Pegram's 
 division in reserve on my right. The two commands of General 
 Armstrong's division, which ■were mounted, took possession of t^ie 
 
8t 
 
 Lftfiiyette road, capturing the enemy's hospitals ami quite a nnn-.bor of 
 prisoners. 'J hey wore compelled to fall b.uk as the enemy's reserves, 
 nnder General (irarger, advanced upon that rond. Colonel Dibrell 
 fought in front, with the infantry, during that day. As General 
 Griuigor appro-.chcd. hy shelling his command and mnmruverincr his 
 troops, he was detained" nearly two hours ami prevented from joi'ning 
 the main force until hite in the evening, and then at a double- 
 quick and under a heavy fire from Freeman's hittery and a section 
 of Napcileon guns, borrowtd from General Breckinridge. After 
 Granger's column hinl vacated the road in front of me, I moved my 
 dismounted men nipidly forwnrd and took possession from the Fede- 
 ral hospi'.al to the woods on the left, through which the infantry wa.' 
 fighting and advancing. My artillery was ord -red forward, hut, bo- 
 foie it could riaeh the woods and be placed in por-ition, a chariot was 
 made by the enemy, the infantry line retreating in confusion and 
 leaving me without a support, hut held the ground long enough to get 
 my artillery b.ick to th- pisition from which we shelled Granger"? 
 column, and opened fire upm the advancing column with fourteen 
 pi>'ces of artillery, driving them back and terminating on the rii'ht 
 fliink the battle of Chickamauga. This fire was at short ran"o," iu 
 Open ground, and was to the enemy very destructive, killinir two 
 colonels and many other officers and privates. 
 
 It is with p'-ide and pleasure that I mention the gallant conduct of 
 th" officers and men of my command. General Arm.stroi)g'-i divi^io^ 
 fought almost entir(dy on foot, always up and fnquently iu advance 
 of I he infantry. My command was kept on the field during the ni 'hf 
 of the 2nih, and men and horses suffered greatly for want of water. 
 Th" men wore without rations and the horses had only received a par- 
 tial feed once during the two days' engagement. 
 
 Gn Monday moining I moved fVrward on the Lafayette road 
 to^^,llds Chattannog.i, capturing many prisoners an<l arms. The I.at- 
 tCi were cdlected as far as practicable and sent to the roar, usin" for 
 thit pnvpo.^c several wag ns and arahul.inces captured from the rf.~ 
 tr«:<ting ei.omy or abandoned and left by thcra. On taking possjs- 
 »t. !i of Mission ridge, one mile or thereabouts from llossvillc, we 
 toi.nd the enemy foitifjing the gap, di.Mnouuted Colonel Dibrdi'.s 
 re-iracnt. under command of Captain McGunns, and attacked them, 
 In found the force too large to di-hidge t'lcm On the arrival of my 
 ar illery. it opened on and fought ihera for several hours, hut could 
 not move them. • 
 
 WehcM poFsessirn of the ridge duiing the night, and on Tuesday 
 moved down from Mission ridge into the Chattinooga valley, driving 
 the enemy into the voods; and advancing on the Lafayette road be- 
 yond Watkins' farm, an<i holding position there until the arrival of 
 Kershaw's brigade. My command was kept in line of battle during 
 the night at ^ilrcy's ford on the Tennessee river. 
 
 On Wednesday, 23d, with McDonald's battalion. I gained the point 
 of Lookout mountain. My troops, being gradually relieved by in- 
 far try, were ordered to the rear and venVinto camp at and near Bird'i 
 6 
 
cills, \>ith orJers issued to cook up rations and shoe the horses as 
 rapidly bh possible. 
 
 Ou Friday morning, the 3.'jth, I received orders to move ^vith my 
 entire couituiind to meet the forces of Burnsidc at or neiir llariison, 
 'which order was immediately obeyed. Having proceeded as far as 
 Chattanooga station, a second courier came up, with an order to 
 proceed tia Cleaveland to Cliarlcstou and disperse the enemy at that 
 place, and if necessary to cro.'^^s the river. I reached Cleave- 
 land that night, and went to Charleston the next morning; found the 
 enemy on the opposite side of the river. I moved up my artillery 
 and, after a sharp cannonading, drove them off and threw my cavalry 
 across the liver. Fiom prisoners captured, found the foice opposite 
 Charleston and retreating was a mounted brigade commanded by Col- 
 onel Byrd. ' Learning also that Woolford's Federal cavalry was en- 
 camped at Cedar Springs, three miles from Athens, it was deemed 
 ncctssary to follow, which was done rapidly, fighting them repeatedly 
 Mid driving them before us. Their last stand was made at I'hiladel- 
 phia, when Woolford's brigade was j.'ut to flight by tho advance of 
 Armstrong's division, under Colonel Dibrcil. Receiving orders to 
 return at once, 1 withdrew mj' command back to Charleston, ordering 
 (General Davidson, with his division, and General Armstrong, with 
 his brigiide, to report to General Wheeler at Cotton Port ferry. Our 
 loss in tlie exjiedition to East Tennessee was four men wounded and 
 two captuied. We kiiled and wounded about twenty of the enemy and 
 aeut one hundred and twenty prisoners to Dalton. 
 
 In closing this report, I desire to pay a just tribute to my oflicera and 
 men for their gallantry and uncomplaining endurance of all tho fa- 
 tigues and dangeiB incident to the movements an J engagemeuts 
 eet forth in this report. The charges made by Armstrong's division 
 (while fighting on foot) in the buttle of Chickamauga wouhl be crcd- 
 itiible to the best drilled infantry. The officers of my staflf have, as 
 on many previous occasions, discharged all duties with promptnesi 
 and fidelity. 
 
 I am, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 N. B. FORREST, 
 Brigadier General cominandivg. 
 
 P. S. — As soon as official reports can be obtained from General 
 Armstrong's and General L^avidson's divisions they will be forwarded. 
 Oui losses cani/ot at present be estimated. 
 Keifcctfully, &c., 
 
 N. B. FORREST. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN PEGRAM, COM 
 MANDING CAVALRY DIVISION. 
 
 Headquarters Cavai.rv Division, ) 
 Near Cniclcarnaiga Station, September 24, 1863. S 
 
 To Mnjor J. P. Strange, 
 • A.':^htant Adjutant Genera! Forrest's Cavalry Corps : 
 
 Major : lu obedience to ordsrs, I h»ve the honor to mike the fol- 
 lowing report of the recent combats of ray comraaml with the enemy ; 
 
 Tho first of these occurred near Gr.iysville, on the 1 0th instant, 
 when, being out on a reconnoisance with the sixth Georgia cavalrv, 
 (Colonel Hart,) it was reported the enemy had thrown himself hetweea- 
 Colonel Scott and myself Deeming the opening of cummunicatioa 
 with Scott most important, I ordered Colonel Hart to charge the enemj' 
 with two companies of his command. This he most gallantly did^ 
 and brought out fifty-nine prisoners — being the skirmishers of Pal- 
 mer's division — from within sight of the masses of the enemy. The 
 second engairement with the enemy was on the 12th instant, ne.ir 
 Lect's tan-yard, where we fought for two hours Wilder's lightning; 
 biigide of mounted infantry. My force engaged in this fight was the 
 sixth Georgia Hcd Rucker's legion. It would be impossible to pay too 
 high a tribute to the daring gallantry of my small force in this unequal 
 conflict with the picke<l brigade of General Crittenden's corps For 
 a time the fight was almost literally hand to hand. I was forced biclc 
 only about four huadred yards, which point I held during the night 
 My loss in this fight was fifty killed and wounded, numbering 9om<: ot 
 ray most valuable young officers. A correct list of killed and wounded 
 will be forward .'d. Our next meeting with the foe was on Saturday, 
 the I9ih instant, on the memorable field of "the Chickamaug i." 
 Brigadier General Davidson, having reported for duty, was assigned to 
 the C'lininand of my old brigade. He was ordered to take position 
 near Recil's "nw mill. Before reaching it, he met and drove before 
 him the i-nemy's pjikets, capturing some few of them Some time 
 sfter this skiimish. whilst fieneral Forrest and I were in front exara- 
 i ; t'lr roadj, Gc.i.r.il Duvidson was attacked suddenly upon his 
 liiirrying hm-.k. I foun<l it somewhat diflicult, aided by General 
 Im II and aii m> ntfirerH. to gt-i the coramaml in a proper position 
 ■' pel the fiercu a'lacks of the enemy's infantry. All the available 
 . :. I wa.M soon, however, well posted, under the general direction of 
 General Forrebt. It became at once apparent to all that we were 
 fighing overpowering numbers. (Jeneral Forrest, having sent seve- 
 ml mecHages for the infantry to come up, finally went for them him- 
 •elf, oidering me hold the position until thpir arrival. In obeyiog 
 this order, our loss was about one-fourth of the command, including 
 several officers. Nearly every colonel of the briga<le had a horse shot 
 under iiim. Although the highest jiraise is due to all the gallant men 
 pogagcd in this (for cavalry) remarkable fight, I jaui>t not omit men- 
 
84 
 
 tioning particularly Colonel Goodc, of (be tenth Confederate civalry, 
 ■whope horee was shot, and Captain Arnold, sixteenth battalion Ten- 
 neesee cavalry, wiio wag h:ully ■wounded. Our next engagement with 
 the enemy was (""olonel Mintys brigade mounted infantrr. being 
 a part of the rear-guard of Genoral noaencraiiz's army. Afterdriving 
 bis f-kirraiBhers for more than a mile, we found him strongly posted 
 on JliBBionary ridge. We drove him from one fine position, but were 
 nnable to dialodge him fiom the summit ; from which, however, he 
 retired during the night. In holding the ground gaini d, my command 
 was fuhjfcted to a heavy fire of canister at three hundred yards range. 
 Both Gcnrral Davidson and Colonel ?cott lost several men, amonj; 
 whom, 1 regret to say, was the gallant Lieutenant Colonel Fain, of the 
 si.xth (aeorgia, badly wout.ded. The steadfastness with which both 
 brigades bore this artillery fire wa-s admirable in the extreme, espe- 
 cially as evincing the di'-cipline of the men. Ceneral Davidson again 
 met the enemy on the '22d. on the Chattanooga and Harrison road. 
 With a part of his brigade he attacked and routed the fifty-ninth Ohio 
 infantry, took a number of prisoners, arms, &-., and .was prevented 
 from capturing the brigade entire only by a mistake of cne of hia own 
 regiments, wliich fired upon the portion headed by himself. 
 
 It will be observed that my report is confined to the operations of 
 the brigade lately comrannded by myself. This i^ because the other 
 brigades of the division have, in the exigencies of thi> .service, been 
 separated from me. For Colonel Scott's operation.^, I refer you to 
 his report, herewith enclo,=ed. 
 
 1 am, Major, very respectfully, vour obedient servant, 
 
 .JOHN FKGHAM. 
 Bri^ndkr Gmtrol coynmanding lyivision Cavalry. 
 
 N. E. —General Davidson will furnish you, at the earliest oppor- 
 taiiitj, with a complete list of the casualties and captured property. 
 Respectfully, kc, 
 
 JOHN PEGRAM, 
 Brigadier G'Tural. 
 
RErORT OF COLONEL J. L. SCOTT, COMMANDING 
 CAVALRY BRIGADE. 
 
 HEADQUtRTER!; ScoTt'b CaVAI.KT BrigADE, > 
 
 Chukamauga, September 21, 1363. \ 
 
 Mrjor A. R II. Ransom, 
 
 A. A A. G. Pegram'x Division of Cavalry: 
 
 Major : In accordance with orders from Brigadier General Pegram, 
 I herewith forward mj report of the operations of this brigade during 
 the recent active operations of this army : After covering the 
 evocuation of East Tennes«ee, and removing all stores on the lines of 
 railroad as far as Ringgold, Georgia, I reported to General Pegram, 
 en the Chattanooga and Lafayette road. On the Ilth instant, 
 under order* from General Forrest, I proceeded to Ringgold, where 
 I encountered the advance of the enemy, General Crittenden's corps, 
 and, after a .vharp skirmish, fell back towards Daltcn, to a strong posi- 
 tion, which 1 held for two hours. Forced from it, I retreated slowly 
 on to Tunnel hill, lighting the enemy at every available point until 
 night, when re-inforcemcnts from the command of General Forrest, 
 who had been present during the day directing the movements, ar- 
 rived. The next morning the enemy retired, and, following them, I 
 skirmished heavily with their rear, on the 12th and Kith instants, as 
 far as the Lafayette road, near Leet's tan-yard. 
 
 On the lUh, under orders from General Forrest, I returned to 
 Ringgold, and remained near that place until the evening of the 17th 
 instant, when the enemy again advanced upon RinggoM from tho di- 
 rection of Gray»vilie. I marched out to meet thejn and drove them 
 back. That mght the enemy encamped about five miles from Ring- 
 gold, on the Chattanooga road, with four regiments of infantry, one 
 . of cavalry, and a battery. About midnight, with four companies of 
 the second Tennessee cavalry and one piece of artillery, I surprised 
 their camp, throwing the whole force into confuhion. After a sharp 
 fight, I retired to my camp at Ringgold, the enemy not following. 
 
 On the I5th, by command of General Pegrim, I proceeded to Red 
 hou^e, nine miles from Chattanooga, and drove in the advance of the 
 eneiny''s reserve corps ntider General Grsngcr. On the I9lh I 
 m.irchcd and engigod the enemy, seven regimi-nt.s of infantry and a 
 taltery, with two hundred men from ray command, composed of the 
 •econd and fifth Tennessee, first Louisiana, tho detachment of Mor- 
 gan's command, and the Louisiana battery of two rifle pieces and two 
 mountain howitzers. After a fierce engagement of several hoars, 
 daring which I drove the enemy more than two miles and disabled 
 one of their guns, my aromuniliun failing, I withdrew to my camp at 
 the creek, the enemy too ranch exhausted to [.nrsue. On the 81st. I 
 ^"'1 th'j left of the road in General I'egram's attijck upon Mi'sionary 
 ami on the 2il, under orders from Major General Chpathnro. I 
 ; cce-led on his right, and, crossing Missionary ride, desoended lo 
 
 t> 
 
86 
 
 the vsllej to the Western and Atlanlic railroad, about three miles 
 ^rom Chattanooga. Uere I encountered the fifty-ninth Ohio infantry, 
 and drove tLem, in confusion, into Chattanooga. Following up, I at- 
 tacked the enemy in hie entrenehments, and drove thera from their first 
 lino of rifle-pits. Kifiht coming on, General Pegram ordered me to 
 withdraw my command to the top of the ridge, and on the next morn- 
 ing to this place. 
 
 It is impossible to state the loss of the enemy, but, from all informa- 
 tion obtained, their loss in killed and wounded on the 19th amounted 
 to over one hundred, besides one of (lencral Whitaker's staflf officers 
 and seven privates prisoners. My entire prisoners amount to tour 
 commissioned oflicers and thirty privates. On the 22d I captured 
 about seventy-five fine rifles for my unarmed men. 
 
 My own loss foots up as follows : In the second Tennessee — Killed : 
 officers, two ; privates, three. Wounded: otiicers, one ; men, thirteen. 
 In the fifth Tennessee cavalry — Killed ; men, two. Wounded : officers, 
 two; private.^, twelve. In the detachment of General Morgan's com- 
 mand — Killed: three men. Wounded: officers, one : men, six. In the 
 first Louisiana, one man wounded; and in the Louisiana battery, three 
 men wounded and fifteen horses killed. Total killed, two officers and 
 eight men. Wounded: officers, four; men, thirty-five. Total loss, 
 forty-nine. 
 
 Of the conduct of both oflicers' and men I cannot Sf eak too highly. 
 All displayed the utmost bravery and gallantry. When every one 
 did 80 well, it is impossible to particularize individual instances of 
 gallantry, but in the death of Captain Ford and Lieutenant Crozier, 
 second Tennessee cavalry, I have lost two brave and gallant officers, 
 whose places it will be most ditilcult to fill. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. L. SCOTT, 
 Colonel commanding Brigoile of Cavalry. 
 
REPORT UF BRIGADIER GENERAL B. R. JOHNSON, COM- 
 MANDING DIVISION. 
 
 IIf.adqvarters Chattanooga, Oct 2-1, 18G3. 
 
 Major W. Scr.LKKP, 
 
 Asivtlant Adjutant General: 
 
 Sir : I have the honor to sabmit the following report of the part 
 t&ken by the division under Joy command in the action of the Chicka- 
 maiiga : 
 
 At five o'clock, A M., September ISth, 1SG3, four brigades and 
 three batteries of artillery from Catoosa station, and vicinity of Ring- 
 gold, Georgia, rncvcd, under Oiy command, with orders from head- 
 quarters army of Tennessee, to proceed via Pleasant Grovo church 
 to Lect's tin-yard. Law's brigade, under Colonel Shetlield, not hav- 
 ing cooked its rations, was ordered to do so, and f >]Iow as promptly 
 as possible. Benning's brigade was left, in compliance with orders, 
 to guard the depot at Ringgold. My command then consisted of the 
 following brigades, vhich moved in the order in which they are named, 
 •viz: Johnson's, McNair";-, Gregg's and Robertson's, with batteries, 
 Everett's, Culpcper's and Bledsoe's, in the contre, and trains in rear 
 of their respective brigades. The head of the column had not pro- 
 ceeded more than three miles on the road when a despatch was re- 
 ceivei from Colonel Brent, headquarters army of Tennessee, direct- 
 ing mo, with the forces under my command, to retrace my steps to 
 the vicinity of Ringgold, and there to tike the direct road to Reed's 
 bridge and to raake a l.idgmcnt on the we.st bank of the Chickamauga, 
 Forrest's cavalry covering the front and right Hanks of ray column 
 on the march from Ringgold. The command was promptly put on the 
 now line of march, and soon after I received orders and the plan of 
 operations, by which I was directed, as commander of the right col- 
 umn of the army of Tennessee, to attack the enemy in my front, in 
 whatever force I might fiml them, and, after crosfing Reed's bridge, 
 to turn to the left by the most practicable route and sweep up tha 
 Chickamauga. towards Lee fc Gordon's mill, while M vjor General? 
 Walker and Buckner, ciossing at .Vlexindcr's bridge and Ledford's 
 ford, were directed to join in my movement. The orders and plans 
 of operations indicated that the :.ttaok on the enemy's left wing wai 
 expected to be initiated by the column under my command. 
 
 About eleven o'clock, A. M., in compliance with orders previously 
 received, I halted the column near Kuler's mill, on the Graysville and 
 Lafayette road, four and a half miles from the former place. Cap- 
 |tain Thorap»on, nssi.^tant chief of artillery of General Bragg'g staflf, 
 Ireporied to nie at this point, with orders to move forward immediately, 
 [»nd through hira my arrival and the hour thereof was reported to 
 leadquarters army of Tennessee. 
 Being informed by citizens that the enemy were about one mile in 
 [•dranee, I formed a line of battle along the road — McNair's. Johnson'* 
 
83 
 
 au'i Gregg'j- brigaJeB ill front, butteries in position, and Robeitson's bri- 
 gade in reserve. While fr>raiiiip the litie, Brigadier General Forrest 
 Joined me with his escort, and piocceded to the front to develop the 
 position of the enemy, and was "joon Rkirmisl.iiig with 'hem. Just an 
 iiiy Une was formed, Maj«.r Robertson i-anie up fioui ihe difction of 
 Liifayette and reported to me, wiili eight pieces of artillery. My 
 lino of Bkirmishers in front was now promptly advanced t(> Poavine 
 creek, wiiich offered some obFtructious to regular movements, and 
 caused some delay in cro8si:ig the troops. Captain McDonald, of the 
 seventeenth Tennessee regiment, opened fire vyith his comp;iny upon 
 the enemy's pickets, about one hundred and eighty yards west of 
 the creek, and r»"pul.'^ed a charge of thiMr reserve, which was made 
 down the road to the creek. Major Iloberl.-'on placed some four piece* 
 of artillery from his own command and a section of Everett's bat- 
 tery in posi'ion, and opcnc'd upon tj)e enemy, part of whom were 
 disniouDted, driving them back, witli a section of artillery, which 
 they had ported in good position. As soon as the command could 
 cross the creek, tlio line, preserviiig its formation, with Robertson's 
 brigade supporting, McNair's on the right, was prcs>ed forward to 
 the tap of the hill, dislodging the enemy fiom a second position. 
 The cavalry, on the right, krpr up the skinlli.^h'.ng during the ascent. 
 We found ju front of the seventeentli Tennessee regiment three Yan- 
 kees killed and one niortally wo'.inded. It was now ascertained that 
 the enemy's force consisted of three or four regiments of mounted 
 aiCn. I're.-.'-ing down the western declivity of this hill, the enemy 
 jvere again found in position at Reed's bridge, over which thgy had 
 pas.'^ed. 
 
 The ikinuishors of the twenlj-ihiid Tennessee rcginieiit becoming 
 etigaged, the whole regiment, supported by the biigade. charged, with 
 a shout and run, and drove ofl" the Yankees before ihey could destroy 
 the bridge. The tv.-enty-tliird Tentessee re^imcpt here had five m>.u 
 wounded. After our .-kirmi.-^hers and some of the regiments hod 
 passed, the enemy opened a battery on the bridge," which was silenced 
 by a section of Bledsoe's artillery. 
 
 Lieutenant Hastings, of the seventeenth Tennessee regiment, was 
 v.ounded at ihe bridge by the enemy's artillery. 
 
 My comr.iand comincnced crossing the Chiekrvmauga about three 
 o'clock, P. M. Major General Hood having appeared lu the column, 
 I reported to him, and submitted to him nn- otderf: just before passing 
 <;he bridge, in persnn. Having crossed the Ciiickauiauga, partly by 
 •be bridge and partly by the fuid ahove the bridge, by four o'clock, 
 v. M., the command advanced to Jay's steam haw mill, about one mile 
 west of Reed's bridge, where llieie are two roads leading to Ale.\an- 
 dei's bridge.. I ordered the formation to be preserved, and the Hue 
 of battle, extending across the right hand or western road, to move 
 forward. 
 
 General Hood, however, here took command, and directed one regi- 
 .Tient of Gregg's brigade to be marched in line of battle, extending 
 across the le!t hand or eastern road, the other regiments of the com- 
 mand to bo ir.oveii in the rear along that road in column of companies. 
 
89 
 
 Marching in this oiJer, we proeeedtd rapidly- j,ast a hurninj;; house 
 near Alexander's ford, penetrating between il:e eneni v and \iie C'bicka- 
 Diauga to a point nearly opposite their cciilre, abcut. iv. o niiles and » 
 half fioni ihe steam saw aiill and alout one mile west of Dalton's 
 ford, when, in the daikncp? of the evening, the skirmishers at the head 
 of the column btcame engaged, and GrcggV biigadc was immediately de- 
 ployed under a sharp fire, which wuuiided three men, one (fir!>t sergeant 
 of CDUjpany D, seventh Texas rogimtnt) mortally. McNair's and 
 ilohnfon'e brigades were immediately deployed, facing Bouthwest, and 
 supporting Gregg's brigade. Robertson's brigade formed a line near 
 the wagon train in rear, facing northwest, while the forty- fourth Ten- 
 nessee regiment, of Johnson's brigade, remained as rear-guard of the 
 train. Our fiont line was now 'about eight hundred yards from Vin- 
 yard's houvc, on the road from Chattanooga to Lee A, Govdon's mill. 
 The whole Yankee army was in our front — mainly at Lee & Gordon's 
 mill — on our right flank and rear , while our army was still on the 
 e*st side of the (^Jhickom^iugn. Mj command was the first to cross 
 this stream, and none of our troops crossed at any point until our 
 column had swept the west bank in front of iLeir respective places of 
 crossing. One-third of our forces was required to remain awake dur- 
 ing the uigiit, and ihe rest slept up'in thoir arms. 
 
 Obstructions to cavalry were hastily platcii in out fro:it, skirmishers 
 were thrown out to the held east of Yinyaid's housi-, one hundred and 
 filly yards in front of our left flank, and scouts wert sent out nearly 
 to the road to Lee & Gordon's mill 
 
 t^eptcmber 19ih, IbOS. On making an cxaminatiuii of our p'-sition, 
 
 early in the morning, I discoverod th.il our skirmishers were withiti 
 
 .f hundred and fifty yards of Gcnerul Preston's division, which had 
 
 ■*sed the Chickaraauga at Gallon's ford du.-ing the night, thnt our 
 
 ■ was in front and nearly perpcn<licaLir to his, and that laost of 
 
 I army hail crossed at points lower do'nn, placiig our olumu near 
 
 •• left of our array. Miijor Kobcrtsoii, with his eight pieces of artil- 
 
 i'-ry, was now detached from my command, and Robertson's brigade 
 
 » IS united with the other brigades of lljnd's division, under Briga- 
 
 r General Law, which had come up during the night, leaving three 
 
 ^id<'3 under my command ; These two divisiotis were placed under 
 
 command of Major General Hood. 
 
 ''or line of battle was formed about seven o'clock, A. M., in » 
 
 vc around the crest of an elevjtion in the wood.'^. about one thon- 
 
 -i I yards east of the Chattanooga ^nd Lee & Goidoii's null road. 
 
 right briga^le faced neai ly west and iny left bi igade about southwest. 
 
 iny division, Johnson's brigade, commanded by Colonel John S. 
 
 lion, of the forty- fourth Teniiesf-ee regiment, was placed on the 
 
 _iit, Gregg's brigade ou the left, :in<l Mi-N*ir's brigade in reserve, io 
 
 .; of Gregg's brigade. Everett's battery W3t< posted in position on 
 
 right <)f Johnson's b.igade, arid i'ded-oe's first Mis.-ouii battery 
 
 ihe^ right of Gregg's brigade. Captain Cul|;(pcr's three gon» 
 
 rs held in reserve in rear of ^5cN«ir'« brigude.. Law's division 
 
 - posted on my right and I'rcstou's on nij' kit, a little retired, so 
 
 tt the left of the bltieth TcDnesace regiment, on the left of Gregg'i 
 
90 
 
 brigade, was thrown back witli a view to form a connection wbicb WM 
 never regularly tna<le. The fighting ccnitnenced on the right of onr 
 army, about half a mile northwest (T the. burnt house, near Alexander's 
 bii'lge. The first gun was fired at half past seven, A. M. 
 
 Ahout two oVliifk, P. M., the eneir.y in tny front advanced and 
 drove in my skiniiishers. 1 ordered Bledsoe's and Everett's baUeriet 
 to open fire, and Culpeper'.i battery was brought into action on the 
 left of Gi egg's Lrigade. Tliese guna all fired in a direction bearing 
 towardB Vinyard'H boufe, frtni which direction the attack seemed 
 mainly to come. The right of Gregg's and the left of Johnson's brig- 
 «de8 repulfed the attack in that vicinity, but the engagement still 
 continued on the left of Gregg's brigade, where the left regiments 
 \rere suiroring severely. The fiftieth Tennessee regiment lost twelve 
 killed and forty-five wounded before it moved from its position. About 
 half-past two o'clock, P. M., by direction of Major General Hood, 
 having instructed vay artillery to move with the infantry and to come 
 into action whenever opportunity permitted, particularly cautioned 
 my conjmand to preserve its ccnnecuoiis, to wheel slowlv and to touch 
 to the right, 1 ordered the division to advance and engage the enemy. 
 This movement did not extend to the division on my left. In front 
 of Gregg's brigade the woods presented a thick undergrowth, in which 
 that brigade at once becoming holly engaged, its piogress was im- 
 peded, while Johnson's brigade advanced some six hundred yards be- 
 fore the enemy opened fire u])r.n it. The artillery advanced and fired 
 by sectir.n, keeping well up with the infantry, (ire^'g's brigade ad- 
 vanced some three hundred yards, obli<juing in endeavoring, under 
 fire, to keep the connection to the right. The connection, however, 
 was broken in the thick wcods, between the second and third battalion.-, 
 the two right regiments preserving their connection with the line ci, 
 their right, and wheeling with it to the right, the third ami four' 
 regiments, advancing less obliijuely, faced more to the south, whiP 
 the left regiment of that brigade, the fiftieth Tennessee regiment, 
 under Colonel Suggs, moved more directly to its front, which was in n 
 Bouthern direction, owing to the left having been thrown back to con- 
 nect with Preston's division, and at the same time it stretched out to 
 the right, just north of Vinyard's fields, to cover the increasing inter- 
 val, until ncnrly the whole regiment was deployed in open order as 
 skirmit^hers. 'J'his movement of the fiftieth Tennessee regiment was 
 induced by the heavy attack of the enemy on that flank, but it did not 
 eucceed in preserving the connection and it became separated fr;m 
 the brigade.. In this condition, the brigade fought gallantly and kept 
 up a heavy fire all along its broken line and infiicted heavy losses on 
 the enemy. 
 
 Two regiments of McNair's brigade, the thirty-ninth North Caro- 
 lina regiment, under Colonel Coleman, and the twentj'-fifth Arkansas 
 ^egim^■nt, umlor Ijieutenant Colonel llupstalder, were sent forward 
 between the fiftieth Tennessee regiment and the brigade to -which it 
 belongs. These two regiments came up to the left, cf the, seventh 
 Texas regiment,, of Gregg's brigade, about four hundred yards in 
 front of the position from which my line had moved, and advanced 
 
91 
 
 gallantly to the road from Chattanooga to Lee & tiotdon's mill, 
 north of Vinyard's farm, and left still a wide interval on the ripht of 
 the fiftieth Tennessee regiment, which regiment continued to present 
 an extended line jind to fight gallantly atid persistently the heavy 
 forces in front, while its raiik<< were lieing coritiniially thinned It 
 Till be seen hy the report of Colonel Coleman, of the thirty-ninth 
 North Carolina regiment, forwarded herewith, that the two regiraenw 
 from Gregg's biigade drove the enemy in rapid flight, across the Chat- 
 tanooga road, and passed a small house in a corn-field west of the 
 road, and north of Vinyard's house ; and that here, though the enemy 
 in their front were in flight and broken, those regiments fell hack for 
 wiint of FUf port, and on account ^if rcinforcemeut received hy the 
 enemy, and a fiimk fire on the left. 
 
 In the meantime, the brigade of Brigadier General Robertson, of 
 Hood's division, was brought up and advanced on the right of the 
 fiftieth Tennessee regiment, which now contracted its line and con- 
 centrated its fire upon the enemy on the left in the vicinity of 
 Vinyard's. Under the spirited charge an{I heavy fiie of Robertson's 
 brigade, the enemy were driven back some distance. The operations 
 of the brigade will be more propeily reported by its division coni- 
 tnander. It will, however, be proper for roe to state that, during s 
 bah, before Robertson's brigade readied the Chaltani oga road. Brig- 
 • liirr General Gregg rode out in front to reconnoitre the enemy's po- 
 fHion. He very soon found himfclf near the enemy's line, and was 
 Buddcnly balled by the Yankee skirmishers. Turning his horse to 
 tide back to the rear, he was shot through the neck. Having fallen 
 ! from his hcrse, the Yankees proceeded to take from his person his 
 «pnrs and eword, when Robertson's brigade charged forward and re- 
 covered possession of him and his horse. 
 
 Brigadier General Gregg deserves special crimmendation for his 
 gallantry and activity on the field. The brigade which he commanded 
 is an excellent one, and is commanded by a worthy and able officer. 
 Colonel Suggs, of the fiftieth Tenncspce regiment, also merits par- 
 ticular notice for the manner in which he from time to time disposed 
 Ills rpgimc nt and protected our flank, which was necessarily exposed 
 in cor advance, as the movement did not extend to the division on 
 our left. While these operations weie going on in my left brigade, 
 the right one, Johnson's, with which the forty-firet Tennes«ee regi- 
 ment, under l^ient'-nant Colonel James I) Tillman, and the third Ten-* 
 nesjte rrgiment, under Colonel C. II. Walker, of Gregg's brigade, 
 • preserved their connection, having advanced some six hundred 
 . jards, received the fire of the enemy's artillery and inTintry and b«- 
 , ^ame hotly engaged. The enemy were posted upon rising ground. 
 A battery swept our ranks with grape-shot, while their infantry de- 
 livered heavy volleya from email arms. The contest continued here 
 nearly an hour, when the enemy, after a stubborn resistance, gradu- 
 ally retired to an open woods, beyond the roinl from Chattanooga to 
 Lre & Gordon's mill ; approaclnng the road, a part of the brigade 
 halted and poured its fire into the enemy's riinks, now in full view, 
 two hundred jards in front ; again advanced, crossed the road, gained 
 
92 
 
 the cover of the wooiU on the left of the field in which the enemy's 
 battery was posted, a cleaiirg, with enclosure intervening. The 
 twenty fifili Tennessee regiment, under l.ieut. Colonel R. D. >SnowdeD, 
 aiid part ul tiie tivcnty-lhitd Tennessee regiment now wheeled to th« 
 right, moved on the flank of the battery, (ZHinid the cover of a fence 
 north of the clearing:, poured into it a few voliiis, charged and cap- 
 tured the battery. This was well atid giillantly done, and Lieutenant 
 Colonel iSnowden, with the olRoeri;; and men under his command, de- 
 serve especial consideration for the manner in Avhich the raovement 
 was acconipli.shed. 'i'iie rrniaimler of the brigade, save about one- 
 third cf the right legiment, now crossed the road. Thc'vscvonteenth 
 Tennt;•^^ce, the left regiment, had moved about two hundred yards be- 
 yond it, and tile third and forty-first Tennessee regiments of Gregg'i 
 hi igade, which had continued to move with J ihnson'e brigade, had 
 advanced (^omewhat farther, when the -enemy, marching by the flank, 
 suddenly appeared on the left and rei>r of the last two regiments. 
 Colonel Walker, of the third Tennessee regiment, on discovering 
 this movement, faced his regiment by the rear rank and moved back 
 acioss the road, while Colonel Tilhnau hastened to communicate the 
 knowledge of tj;c movement to Colonel Fulton, coranramiing Johnson's 
 brigade. The movement of the enemy do«n the Chatt.incoga road 
 was so prompt, that they penetrated our line on the left of Johnson's 
 1, rigade, filed ofl" to the lei't ;aid fired a volley into it-s rear. This bri- 
 gade now moved by one impulse to the. right and fell back to tlie cast 
 of the road from Chattanooga to Lee & Gordon's mill, leaving eleve|> 
 officerH, (including Major l.)avi.j, of the seventeenth Tennessee regi- 
 ment,) si.Tty men, and the captuied bittcrj, in the hands of the 
 enemy. In the meantime the third and fori;; -hrst regiments Tennes- 
 see volunteers, which were falling to the rear, were placed in }iosition 
 by Captain \V. T. Blakemoro, my aid-de-caraj), who was on duty in 
 that part of the field and discovered this movomeut of the enemy, 
 tind, hy his instruction, charged the column which had so suddenly 
 appeared in our rear and drove it back. Colonel Walker now placed 
 
 these regini?nts diagonally across the road, the right advanced, facing 
 tho epeiiiy, in wliii.li position I ordered hiin to remain for a time. I 
 have no doubt that we have cncouiiteied a pot nun of McCcok's corps 
 of the Federal army, moving to support their left. Our scouts thrown 
 out in front of our tikiimishers, and my brigiile inspector. Lieutenant 
 Black, after a personal reconnosisance, had previously reported tlio 
 enemy moving artillery and infantry in that iliroction. \Vith the 
 heavy force of the enemy still in vicinity of Lee I'c Gordon's mill and 
 this advance of my division, unsupported by any movement on my K-f'., 
 was pu.-^hcd quite a.s far as was judicious. 
 
 Finding my line now, about sun.^et, quite irregular in its forma- 
 tion, 1 jiroceeded immediately to reform it, in tho woods, about six 
 bundrifi yards east of the road from Chattanooga to Lee & Goi don's 
 mill, when, by order of Mijor General Ilood, temporary breastworks 
 of timber were put up along the line, behind which my command 
 rested during the night, with skirmishers thrown out to tho road. 
 During this brief engagement, the lohs of tho division was quite 
 
JXe^t 
 
 H^ 
 
93 
 
 heavy The thirJ Tennessee regiment reports twelve noen killod and 
 forty-five wouniied before it ivas ordered to advance. The seventh 
 Texas regiment hnd severs! killed and wounded at the same time. 
 Lieutenant f'olonel Thomas VV. Bcajimont. well and honoratilv known 
 in civil as well as military life. Captiin Williams and twn other com- 
 pany othcers of the fiftieth Tennesi'ce reaimotit were killeil, seven 
 officers wounded and one missing, ■whilo it lost heavily in men. The 
 forty-f'Mirth Tennessee regiment h.id Lieutenant ('olonel John L. 
 McEwing. Jr , commanding, a gulhnt and ahle officer, who has ren- 
 dereil faithful and effici"nt eervic* in our army, and five cnmp-iny 
 officers wounded, one (Captain Samuel Jackson) mortally. It, lost 
 shout fifty men wounded and six killed, on^of whom ^^Sori^oant T. A. 
 Johnson) was particularly riistinguished for giUantry. Thecoinin iiid 
 of this regimen; now devolved upon Maj>r G M. Crawford The 
 eeventcenfh Tennessee rogiment had one officer killed and two oflljers 
 end twen'y men wonndfd Colonel N 1? (Jranhury, of the seventh 
 Texas, Major 8. H. Colmes, of the first Tennessee battalion, and 
 Mnj.ir Lowe, of the twen'y-third Tviiiiesseo regiment, were severely 
 ■wounded. The twenty-third Tennessee lo^t. in all. one ofli'ior iuid 
 five men killed, five officers wouniled. and fifty-eight raon wounded 
 and captured. The losses of the other regiments are not reported in 
 this connection. Captain J.ickson, of the forty-fourth Tennessee 
 regiment, has since died of his wounds. Known to me long and fa- 
 miliarly in youth and manhood as Capt-iin Sumuvl Jacksin has bien, 
 I feel unable to do justice to his many virui 's. his pure and admira- 
 ble character, or his merits r.s an officer and soldier. 
 
 On Sunday, September 2ilth, 18 i3, my line was formed by seven 
 ©'clock, A. M., with .NIcNair's biigaiieon the right. Johnson's hrig.ido 
 in the centre, and two regiments — the fi'"iieth Tennessee regiment 
 «nd the first Tennessee battalion, con-olidated, under Major C. Vf'. 
 Robertson, and the seventh Texas, un<ler M:ijor Van Zmt — on the 
 left. The rest of Gregg's brigade, commanded by Colonel Suggs, 
 formed a second line. Ciflpepper's battery was placed in position on 
 the right of McNair's brigade, Everett's on the right of Johnson's 
 brigade, and liledsoc's on the right of the two regiments in the front 
 line from Gregg's brigade. Iliailman's division formed on iny left, 
 »nd Stewart's on my right ; Hood's division, commanded by Briga- 
 dier(jeneral Law, formed in rear (f my divi><ion, giving us a depth 
 of three lines. About ten o'clock, A .M., our skirmishers fell back 
 nndcr the advance of the enemy. My line promptly opened a steady 
 fire with artillery ami sniiill arms, which soon lepulsed the attauk. 
 Ten minutes after eleven o'clock, A. .^L, a general advance was 
 ordered, which, commencing somewhere on the right, included Hind- 
 man's division on the left. The enemy occupied the ground in our 
 front, along the road leading from Chattanooga to Lee & (Jordon's 
 mill. Their line was formed along the fence at Brothcrton's house, 
 »nd they had a battery in the open field south of the house, where 
 Johnson's brigade had captured a battery on Saturday. The cneroj 
 also occupied two lines of breastworks, made of rails and timber, 
 extending along my front and to the left of it, in the woods we?t of 
 
9 J 
 
 Brotherton's farm. 15y order of Major General Hood, I moved my 
 division forward ami at once ei)ga;a;ed the enemy. We advanced 
 abf ut six hundred yards through the woods, under a heavy firu> of 
 artillery nnd infantry, whii-h swept our ranks with terrific effect, and 
 orossed the na<l to Lee A: Gordon's mill, the left brigades of my divis- 
 ion passing on either side of Brotherton's house. Our charge was 
 irresistible, and the Yankees who did not floe were killed and cap- 
 tured at the fences and out-houses. Among the latter is especially 
 uierlioned Colonel F. A. Bartleson, of the one hundredth Illinois 
 regiment, who was captured, with many others, by Johnson's brigade. 
 
 Everett's batttry now tonk a position in a field south of Brother- 
 ton's house and openeu to the front and left, firing about six rounds 
 to the piece, and my line again moved forward under a heavy fire from 
 the enemy's breastworks. The fire was so heavy that my right brig- 
 ;ide faltered for a moment and some of the men commenced falling 
 back, but it was soon rallied and moving forward again. My whole 
 line, Gregg's brigade in rear, supported by Hood's division, under 
 lyaw, in a third line, swept forward with great force and rapidity and 
 carried the breastwoiks, from which the foe precipitately retreated, 
 under a heavy fire, particularly directed to the left, from my left 
 brigade. Having advanced some distance in the woods west of 
 Brotherton's farm, to the foot of a small ascent covered with a thick 
 s^rowth of young pines, my right brigade halted under the eS'ect of a 
 heavy fire, which was also sevcrcdy damaging my second line. Colo- 
 nel Suggs now pushed to the front the three regiments of Gregg'.* 
 brigade which had formed my second line, Jcdinson's brigade moving 
 to the left at the same time, and again my line advanced rapidly on 
 the enemy, driving them from the woods east of Dyer's h' use, 
 McNair'.i brigade bearing to the right 
 
 Our lines now emerged from the forest into open ground on the 
 border of long open fields, over which the enemy were retreating, 
 under cover of several batteries, which were range(i along the crest of 
 u ridge on our right and front, running up to the corner of a stubble- 
 leld, and of one battery on our left ana front, posted on an elevation 
 in the edge of the woods, just at the corner of a field near a peach 
 orchard and southwest of Dyer's house. The scene now presented 
 was unspeakably grand. The resolute and impetuous charge, tlio 
 rush of our heavy columns, sweeping out from the shadow and gloniv 
 of the forest into the open fields, flooded with sunlight, the glitter 
 arms, the onward dash of artillery and mounted men, the retreat > . 
 the foe, the shouts of the hosts of our army, tlie dust, the smoke, 
 the noi.-e of fire-arms, of whistling balls and grape-shot, and of burst- 
 ing shell, made up a battle scene of unsurpassed grandeur. Here 
 <tei)eral Hood gave me the last order I received from him on the field : 
 "Go ahead and keep ahead of everything." How this order was 
 ■beyed will be best determined by those who investigate all the 
 Ictails of this battle. 
 
 The unuHUJil depth of our columns of attack, in this part of the 
 ;ield and the force and jiower with which it was thrown upon the 
 enemy's lino had now completely broken and routed their centre and 
 
 I 
 
95 
 
 caBt the shattered fiVgments to the right aod left. Everett's battery 
 was here ordered into action on the right of Johnson's brigade and 
 opened upon the retreating foe, while ray line continued to advance. 
 I'Lere was now an interval of eight hundred jards between Hind- 
 man's division on my left and mv coromnnd. Johnsou".s brigade, on the 
 left, bore but slightly to the right, its left regiment irtretching across 
 the road from Dyer's house to Crawfish road, and passing on both 
 sides of the house. Gregg's brigade, in the centre, moved a little to 
 the right, so as to flank and capture nine pieces of artillery, on its 
 right, posted on the ascent to the eraiiicncc, in the corner of the field 
 north of Dyer's house. McNair's brigade, now somewhat in rear of 
 the two left brigades, moved obliquely to the right and directly npon 
 the eminence. Sly line was here uncovered by flood's division, which 
 must have changed its direction to the right. 
 
 The nine pieces captured by Gregg's brigade are reported by Col. 
 Suggs, comnnnding, as having been taken from the field by a detail 
 under Adjutant Fletcher Beaumont, of the fifiieth Tennessee regi- 
 ment, who caused ;hc Yankee drivers to diive some of the teams to 
 the rear. Four of these pieces — three-inch rifles — belonged to the 
 first Missouri P'edoral battery, und are now in possession of the first 
 Missouri Confederate battt ry, (Bledsoe's,) attached to Gregg's brig- 
 ade. A statement made by Adjutant I^-aumcnt in regard to the cap- 
 ture is herewith enclosed. 
 
 In this advance. Brigadier General E. McNair. commanding the 
 ■'it brigade, and Colonel Harper, of the first Arkansas regiment, 
 ;!iat brigade, were wounded — ihc latter mortally, and the command 
 (•! .McNair's brigade devolved upon Cidonel Coleman, of the thirty- 
 ninth >iorth Carolina regiment. Colonel Coleman reports that 
 ^I'^Xair's brigade charged and carried the eminence in the corner of 
 field to our right, capturing the ten guns, eight of which were 
 mediately carried off, and two were siibseijuently removed, and that 
 the brigade fell back fc r want of ammunition and support, and formed 
 nn fhe lift of llobertson's brigHde, of Hood's division. Whether 
 : onel Coleman's report has any relerence, in this connection, to 
 nir.e guns, reported as captuied by Gregg's brigade, or whether 
 r(- is any point of dispute between these two brigade" ub to cap- 
 •d artillery, I cannot now determine. McNair's brigade has been 
 ;>ched from this army, at.d I am unable to communicate with it in 
 '• to m»ke my report explicit on this point. 
 
 Ill the meantitne, I discovered what 1 conceived to he an impor- 
 t po!»ition, directly in our front — an elevated ridge of upen ground, 
 I ning nearly north ^nd south, beyond the narrow strips cF woods 
 on the western borders of the open fields in our front ana about six 
 hundred yards west of the elevation on which the nine pieces of artil- 
 lery had been captured, and I hsstcced to press forward (Gregg's brig- 
 kde, which had halted for a moment on the flank of the guns that 
 were being removed, while Johnson's brigade tipproichel tiip same 
 pjsitinn from the left. From the crest of tbiu iidge the ground 
 Je«cenl- .-ibrnptlj into a cornfield and cove, lying south of Villetoe's 
 hoase West of the cove is a range of the Missionary tidgo, while 
 
96 
 
 m 
 noitH of it a spui of tliit riilga spreads out to the east. Tlirough a 
 gap ;kt the angle between this spur on the north ami the ri'lgo on the 
 west of the cove and about one t)ious:»nd yards from the ridge on tho 
 east, whore my division was now taking position, passes the Craw-, 
 fish road, which continues south ;ilong tho base of the ridge on the 
 western side of the cove. Along this road a line of telegrriph *ires 
 extended from Ghattsnoogato General Ilosencranz's ho;\d(iuartera, and 
 at the gorge of the gup a train of wagons fiiknl the ro.d, whil> a 
 number of caissons and a battery of artillery, for defence of the train, 
 occupied the grounds near Vilk'toc's house. 
 
 The ridge ou the oriht of the cove was taken without reaietanco, 
 though ilio enemy had th'?ro constructed a brea.stwoik of rails, and had 
 filled up a largo number of their knapsacks, secure, as they doubtless 
 thought, fiom the danger of the battle-field. As soon as this ridge 
 Was occujiied, which was a fevv- minutes before twelve, M., our advance 
 position, commanded by adjacent bills and separated on the right and 
 left ns far as I could see from our troops, induced ine immediately to 
 send my aid-de-camp, ('aptain Elakeraore, to report our position to 
 Lieutenant General Lotigstreet, commanding our wing, and to bring 
 up artillery an<l infantry to our suppoit, v. bile I disposed of my eora- 
 mnnd for defence. Gregg's brigade was at once posted, partly facing 
 to the north, at the edge of the woods at the north end of the field, 
 and partly facing to the west, along a portion of the adjacent ridge. 
 Johnson's brigade was. posted, facing to tho ^-^et-t, on tlie crest of the 
 ridge, about one hundred yards to the left, of Gregg's brigade. Both 
 brigades imiiicdiately advanced ibeir skirmishers to the front. 
 
 When I discovered the train of wagons at the gorge of the Craufiah 
 road, the enemy were niiiking every effort to get them away. I 
 promptly |)i)-ted Everett's battery on the ridge between Johnson's 
 and (h-i'gg'.s brigades, when it opened fire on the train. The fire of 
 the artillery and some hhots from our advancing skirmishers, created 
 the utmost consternation among the drivers an<i teams, causing s|^e 
 of tho wagons to be up-set, and others to be run against trees and up 
 the precipitous acclivities adjacent. Lieutenant Everett also sent 
 forward one piece of artillery to a kuoll in the corn-field, south of 
 Villetoe's bouse, which fired up the gorge alotig the Crawfish road. 
 A few shots were fired upon us from a battery of the enemy posted 
 on the high ground north of our position, to which Everett's artillery ' 
 replied, firii;g about six rounds, when the emimy ceased firing on us. 
 A ball from J^iieuti-nant Everett's battery dismounted one of the guns 
 (a ritlo piece) near Villetoe's house, by breaking the axletree. Our 
 Bkiruii^her:-' now advanced and took possession of the wagons, caissons 
 and guns. Lieutenant Everett sent forward two teams and hauled off 
 one Napoinyi gun anil caisson, attaching, for that purpose, tho 
 limber of a si.\-pound gun found near by the Napoleon, for which no 
 ImibcT was found. This gun has since been ascertained to bo one of 
 the guns of Lumsdeu's battery, captured by the enemy on the 19th, 
 and has been returned to that battery. Beside the two pieces above- 
 named, a six-pounder smooth-bore and another piece, description not 
 now known, and seven caissons were captured. The wagons con- 
 
 I 
 
taineil some quarterinaeter's property, Init were mainly loailcl with 
 ammunition fjr artillery and inf;intry. Two of General llosencranz's 
 escort and Captain Ilescock, of the firat Missouri Federal liglit artil- 
 lery, battery G, were captured on the side of the ridge west of 
 Villetoc'e house, where many other prisoners were picked up by our 
 pkirraisherg. My engagements were such at this period as to prevent 
 me from looking after or estimating the number or value of articles 
 captured. Many of the wagons were subsequently removed by other 
 commands in rear of mine. I now estimate the wagons captured at 
 about thirty, a few of which ha'l teams attnched. 
 
 Before making any disposition for a further advance, I found it 
 nccc.=s«rY to rcplcni.'^h our supply of ammunition, and, conseijuently, 
 I ordered up a supply from the rear and distributed it to the most of 
 the regiments of my command. Subsequently we drew our amraani- 
 tion from the captured train. Lieutenant Black, of my staff, now 
 brought up Dent's battery of Napoleon guns, of llindnjan's division, 
 which he found somewhere on our loft, and placed three pieces on 
 the ridge in the northwest corner of the field we occupied. No 
 general officer or reinforcements having come up, and seeing no troops 
 in ray vicinity, my aids having been long absent in search of support, 
 I became impatient at the delay. Giving orders that our pvo.sition should 
 be held at all hazards, I galloped off, in person, in search of support. 
 Having swung slightly to the right from our first position, the con- 
 nection was broken on our left, and I could see no troops in that 
 direction. It subsequently appears that General Ilindman's division 
 ^ gallantly drove back to the west and south the enemy's line in his 
 front and on my left, inflirting a heavy loss on them and thus reliev- 
 ing us from danger in that direction. 
 
 Riding towards our right and rear some half a mile, I came upon 
 Brigadier General Kershaw advancing with his brigade through the 
 open field upon the eminence near to which wo had captured the bat- 
 tery of nine guns in our advance, and where I saw the United States 
 flag now floating, the position having been reoccnpied by the enemy. 
 Here I learned that Major General Hood had been wouniled. Colonel 
 Cunningham, of his staff, informed me that Brigadier General Ker- 
 shaw's brigade was much needed to attack the position in its front, and 
 ■] consequently had to seek further for support. I sent Captain Blakc- 
 tnoro, who joined me here, to find and bring up General McNair's 
 brigade, and, after riding sometim'*, I found on the road, approaching 
 my command, M.ajor General Hindman and Brigadier General An ler- 
 eon, to whom my aid had communicated my necessities an<l wishes. 
 Being informed that Brigadier General Deas' brigade would move to 
 mpport my left and th^t General Anderson was then advancing to 
 fill up the vacancy on my right, I returned to my command with a 
 view to driving the enemy from my flank, directed Dent's battery to 
 oficn fire to the rear of the cBiin'^nce, about tix hundred j'arde to our 
 right, on which 1 had stcn the United States flag floating, and on 
 nhich I left Kershaw's brigade advancing. 
 
 More than an hour had now been spo.t in thin position, and I 
 resolved to prces forward my lino, even before support reached me. 
 7 
 
I therefore proceeded to form vay line, facing to the north, along and 
 in continuation of the nouh end of tbe field ; Gregg's brigade on tL» 
 right and Joliiison's brigade on the left, extending through the corn- 
 field south of A'illetoes' house and to the Crawfish road. My line 
 being formed, I was advised that the enemj occupied the ridge beyond 
 Yillutoes" corn-field and west of the Crawfish road, and it therefore 
 became necessary to protect our left Hank by Skirmiahsrs thrown out 
 in that direction from Johnson's brigade. The advance commenced 
 about the time Deis' brigade formed, facing to tlie west, on the ridge 
 we had just left. I directed Brigadier General Deas' to move his 
 brigade direcUy to its front until his right flank should reach the 
 position of my left, then to wheel to the right, sweeping tho ri«1gc west 
 of the Crawfish road, and come up and form on the left of my line of 
 battle. 
 
 The crest of the spur of Missionary ridge north of Villetoes' house 
 extends cast atid west in its general direction, but crosses to the south 
 about the middle At the east and west ends of the crest are the most 
 elevated points of the spurs. On the slope north of the west end n 
 Sncdgrass' house, at which were the headquarters of Generals Rosen- 
 cra'nz and Thomas during the latter part of the battle. Towards the 
 south the slope from the crest is gradual for some distance in several 
 places ; and especially so at the west end, and terminates towards the 
 cove in an abrupt, secratcd declivity, presenting to our approach from 
 the south several secondary spurs or knobs, with intervening short 
 ravines. Along the crc.-*t of this spur the last de.«perate struggle of 
 the northern army was made at the battle of Chiekamauga. 
 
 Gregg's and Johnson's brigades, followed by Dent's and Everett's 
 batteiies, advanced in line towards the north, the left passing over the 
 wagons, caissons and pieces of artillery near ^'llletoes' bouse and 
 reaching to the Crawfish road. There were a number of woumled 
 • Federals at Villetoes' house. The ladies of the family, who had taken 
 shelter from danger on Saturday and Sunday beneath the floor, no^ 
 burst forth and greeted our sokliers with slapping of hands and shouts 
 of ji)}', presenting an impressive scene. The brow of the secondary 
 spuis north of Villetoes' house were gained without resistance by 
 Gregg's and Johnson's brigades, and by Anders jn's, which had come 
 up on our right, during our advance. The line was then halted, the 
 alignment connected, and the two regiments of Gregg's brigade which 
 were formed on the Id't of my line in the morning now returned to 
 their brigade. Four of Dent's Xapoleon guns and Everett's battery 
 of tliree guns were placed in posiiion on the spur occupied by John- 
 son's brigade, and two pieces of Dent's battery were placed upon the 
 hill with Gregg's brigade. There was now no support on the left f 
 Johnson's brigade, though Deas' brigade was every moment expected 
 there. 
 
 A few minutes before two o'clock, _P. M., after the artillery had 
 opened fire, tho order was given to advance from this position t ■ i, 
 view of gaining the main crest of the ridge in our front, which was 
 Bome one thousand yards distant en our left, but much nearer on our 
 right on account of its curvature to the south in the middle. Tiio 
 
^M^, 
 
 .-^ . ^ 
 
 
 ;^^ 
 
 - A^' 
 
 /^' ^ i/l^2^^ a^^tr-^fx 
 
 ^^ 
 
99 
 
 enemy opened fire upon our left before it advanced one hundred yards. 
 Our movement was, however, continued for a time, until my left formed 
 a position in ■which it wa3 enabled to hold the enemy in check. But 
 the Federals moved up on our flank along a secondary spur, which 
 united at the elevation at the west end of the main ridge with that 
 upon which Johnson's brigade was fighting, and this movement wa3 
 held in check sometime by our troops fiiinjj obliquely to the left. The 
 advance of Brigadier General Anlerson on our extreme right was a 
 gallant and impetuous charge It encountered a heavy force of the 
 enemy posted in a etrong po.^ition, from which they poured a volume 
 of fire that speedily repulsed the charge. Gregg's briga<le gained the 
 crest of the ridge, after a ^harp coi,test driving the foe down the 
 northern slope of the ridge and delivering a damaging fire in the re- 
 treating masses ; but the enemy returned to the attack, and there 
 being now no support on our right, the line commenced falling back 
 on the flank, just after Lieutenant Colonel Tillman, commanding the 
 forty- first Tennessee regiment, was disabled by a wound. The third 
 Tennessee regiment, with about forty men of the fiftieth Tenncsseo 
 and seventh Texas regiments, on the le't of this brigade, claims to have 
 held its advanced position until Johnson's brigade fell back under the 
 flank movement of the encmy'on its left, In retiring, this regiment 
 had bi.^ men captured. As my line fell back, our artillery opened 
 with canister, and was gallantly served under fire of the enemy's 
 infantry until the troops, rallying in line at the batteries, repulsed the 
 charge of the foe. 
 
 1 now gave orders to hold tho hill, and awnit the reinforcementa 
 
 from Hindman's division momtntanly expected. Soon Manigault'a 
 
 brigade was soen advancing in line of battle through Villetoe's corn- 
 
 : field, in the cove in our rear. As it came up on the left of my line. 
 
 Brigadier General Dcas reported in person, hoving with his brigade 
 
 swept the ridge west of the Crawfish road. Having sent a staff oifieer 
 
 to pl.jce these two brij'ades in line on my left, I rode toward the right, 
 
 and met General IlinTman, who directed me to take command of tie 
 
 ■ lef' wing and wheel to the right, making the right of my division ibo 
 
 ;. pivot MeNair's brigade, under Colonel Colema,a, now came up und 
 
 .for;ii' .i 'I line in re;ir of the left of my division. 1 also detailcii m 
 
 mci Johnson's brigade to assist ia working tha guns of Dei.t'a 
 
 ^atl'.y 
 
 ' , from left to right, was formed of brigades in the followiig 
 
 Peas', Mai.igault's, Johnson's, Gregg's and Andersoi/s, 
 
 . :ir'8 brigade in rear of Johnson's. Dcas' brigade occupied 
 
 lie bni« . f the steep spur which forms the north side of the gor, e, 
 
 througti Which the (.'rawfish road passes >Ii6?i>n3ry ridge. Miui- 
 
 gault's htietched across the ravine and^^cnded up the side of the 
 
 adjacent ppurto the right, on which Joh^^Ps and Mclsair's brigades, 
 
 ^'•h seven pieces of artillery, were p^TOd. Gregg's brigade iras 
 
 i"d on a spur of some greater length, extending mi>re towards the 
 
 and separated in part frntn the main ridgp by a hollow, wiih a 
 
 • of table lan<l at its head to the west. Anderson's brigade was 
 
 :iijd in two lines on the right, the front line extending up to lU* 
 
100 
 
 elope of the spur on which Gregg's brigade was formed, on the left 
 and across the hollow on the right. The section of Dent's artillery 
 Tfiih Gregg's brigade in the last attack was new moved to the hollow 
 on the riglit, rear'y to be run up by hand rn the main ridge as soon 
 as it should be carried. Kershaw's brigade was somewhere en the 
 right of, but not connected with, Anderson's brigade. 
 
 I proceeded in person to put the line in motion. Commencing with 
 Deas' brigade, and giving careful instructions to preserve the dress 
 and connection to the right, I passed along tl:e line until I saw it all 
 gallantly nsoving forward. A most obstinate struggle now com- 
 menced for the possession of this spur of Missionary ridge — the last 
 stronghold of the enemy on the battle-field of Cbickamauga. Our 
 artillery opened on the brow of the ridge, and the infantry became 
 immediately engaged. The firing was very heavy on both sides, and 
 showed that the enemy were in strong force in our front, supported 
 by artillery posted near the junction of the two spurs on wlirch Deas' 
 and Johnson's brigades respectively moved. Our line pressed deter- 
 minedly forward for seme time, keeping up an incessant fire with 
 small arms. J3ut the enemy now evidently received reinforcements 
 of fresh troops, which advanced with a^shout that was heard all along 
 our lines, and we were driven back to our guns. It was subsequently 
 ascertained from prisoners captured that the reinforcements were a 
 part of General Granger's corps, which we fought the rest of the day. 
 Deas' brigade, and the part of Manigault's next to it, fell back to the 
 foot of the hill ; Anderson's fell back to its first position, and these 
 three brigades, save two regiments of Manigault's next to Johnson's 
 ■brigade, did not again enter the fight. 
 
 In falling back on the spur on which Johnson's brigade and the two 
 ■batteries fought, MeNair's brigade, which formed a second line, min- 
 gled with the troops of the first line on the left of Johnson's and the 
 right of the two regiments of Manigault's brigade, and continued to 
 fight in that position during the rest of the day. The retreat on this 
 hill was precipitate, and called for all the exertions I could command 
 to prevent many of the troops from abandoning it. The officers, 
 however, joined with every^ energy and zeal in the effort to stay the 
 retreat, and by appeals, rommands and physical efforts, all save a few 
 who persisted in skulking behind trees or lying idly on the ground, 
 were brought up to our lines in support of the artillery. In the mean- 
 time our batteries were promptly opened and gallantly served amid a 
 ehower of the enemy's bullets, and, together with the best and bravest 
 of our infantry, who promptly rallied on our artillery, poured such a 
 volume of fire upon the advancing foe that his onward progress was 
 «ffectually stayed. 
 
 1 cannot here speak t^^ighly of the gallantry of the men and 
 ■officers of Dent's and EvI^H's batteries on this occasion. It elicited 
 mj highest admiration, ancl 1 at once endeavored involuntarily to 
 express personally to the commanders my high appreciation of the 
 work they had s^ nobly done. It is claimed by Johnson's brigade 
 that they r:illicd f a man at the battery. I may be permitted to say 
 for these noble men, with whom I have so long been associated, that I 
 

 
 • a^-^/lu^ -^^^^ 
 
 
 
 
 ^^ 
 
101 
 
 tlien f^lt that every man in the bri^nde was a hero. Of Gregg's 
 brig*le I can speak in no less exalted terms. All, inJeed, who now 
 participated in this final, protracted and trying struggle merit the 
 highest praise. 
 
 All our troops had now sufTered severely here and in other parts of 
 the field. Hindman's division, it is understood, hail been especially 
 weakened in the conflict before it came to our support. Neither 
 McNair's, Gregg's or Johnson's brigades mustered over five hundred 
 guns. The part of Manigault's brigade adjacent to ray division, 
 about two regiments, under Colonel Reed, of the thirty-fourth Ala- 
 bama regiment, participated in the invincible spirit which fired our 
 men and continued to fight with us. I ordered that the hill should 
 be held at all hazards, and determined that all should be lost before I 
 would abandon it. I felt that this position (on the extreme left) was 
 one of the utmost importance and might determine the fate of the 
 day. Indeed, defeat here would have let the enemy's right swing 
 back around cur left flank, over the strong positions we had won ; 
 and here, as at Murfreesboro', where all our movements on the left 
 had been very similar, a chance for victory might be lost. 
 
 About this time ray aid. Captain W. T. Blakemore, reported to me 
 some two hundred men of Benning's brigade, in our rear, under com- 
 mand of a major, whose name is not recollected. Upon going to it, 
 the ofiicer in command reported it utterly unserviceable on account of 
 its having been cut up and demoralized. I consequntly did not put it 
 in the fight. 
 
 The enemy were not whipped, and the conflict still raged with 
 varying fortune. Repeatedly our men advanced, and were in turn 
 forced to yield a portion of the ground they had gained. I directe<i 
 our men to advance as far as possible, then hold their position and 
 never retreat. \Ve thus gradually approached the crest of the ridge. 
 
 At about five, P. M , I sent my acting aid-de-camp. Lieutenant 
 George Marchbanks, Confederate States army, back to the foot of the 
 ridge to request Brigadier Generals Deas and Manigault to bring up 
 their brigades to my support. Lieutenant Marchbanks reports that 
 Brigadier General Deas replied that, on consultation with Brigadier 
 General Manigault, they had decided that it would not be safe to put 
 their commands in the same position without the support of fresh 
 troops. 
 
 Over three hours passed in this conflict, in which officers and men 
 toiled on and manifested more perseverance, determination and endur- 
 ance than I have ever before witnessed on any field. We had now 
 slowly driven the enemy on the left, up the gradual ascent, about half 
 a mile, to the coveted crest of the ridge, where they made the last 
 desperate resistance ; and our lines gradually grew stronger and. 
 Stronger under the animating hope of victetfy so nearly within our 
 grasp. It was finally nearly sunset when a simultaneous aivance 
 swept along our whole lines, and, with a shout, we drove the enemy 
 from the ridge, and pursued them far down the northern slope to the 
 bottom of the deep hollow beyond. We had now completely flanked and 
 passed to the rear of the position of the enemy on the riJge to our 
 
103 
 
 right, and I am convinced we thus aided in finally carrying the height* 
 south of SnoHgrass' house. 
 
 About the time the ridge was carried, Colonel Trigg, of Preston's 
 division, reported to me witli a part of bis brigaile. I sent Ciiptain 
 Terry, of the seventeenth Tennespee regiment, who was wounded and 
 mounted on horsebaclc, to place Trigg's command on our riglit, and it 
 relieved Gregg's brigade, which wiis out of ammunition. 
 
 1 now proceeded to reform my line, which, in the pursuit, I regret 
 to say, was entirely broken, owing in part to the peculiar conforma- 
 tion of the ground over which we passed. I still hoped to follow up 
 the retreating foe. , 
 
 After I ordered MoNair's and Johnson's brigades to form on Trigg's, 
 this brigade suddenly disappearcil, called aw.sy, no dDubt, to co-operate 
 with Kelly's brigade in capturing the two regiments of General 
 Granger's corps which surretidered to them about dark. I felt now 
 that it would be unsafe to advance, disconnected as my command was, 
 and it being now dark, nearly eight o'clock, P. M. I withdrew it 
 some two hundred and fifty yards to a good position near the top of 
 the ridge, threw out pickets to the front and sent scouts to find the 
 enemy. 
 
 My line was arranged for the night in the following order: 
 
 The two re;.'iment8 of Munigault's l»rignde, under Colonel Reed, of 
 the thirty-fourth Alabama rtgimcnt, and the lid't thrown back to pro- 
 tect our (lank, and in suecess:on to the right were aligned Johnson's, 
 McNair's and Gregg's brigades. On my right Trigg's and Kelly's 
 subsi(juently formed. About eight o'clock at night, abandoning all 
 hopes of advancing further, 1 rode away and searched until about 
 eleven o'clock for the headquarters of the army or the wing, with a 
 view to making a report of my position. Failing in this attempt. 1 
 returned to my command worn out with the toils of the day. The 
 following morning revealed to us the fact that the enemy had left us 
 in possession of the field. Details were now made to collect the spoils 
 and bury the dead. 
 
 1 ought here to mention the h*oic efforts on the part of officers 
 and men which came under my observation, but, for want of personal 
 acquaintance with the parties, I cannot do justice to all. I especially 
 noticed the faithful foil and heroic conduct of Lieutenant Colonel 
 Keynolds, of the first battalion of di?mounted rifles, MeNair's brigade, 
 who 'was conspicuous in his efl'orts to preserve our lines and encour- 
 age and press on our men. For hours he, with many other officers, 
 faithfully and incesi^antly labored in this duty. In this connection 
 I must, injustice, mention Colonel J. S. Fulton, of the forty- fourth 
 Tennessee regiment, coiiimaiiding Johnson's brigade ; Colonel K. 11. 
 Ki'ble, of the tweiitythini Tennessee regiment ; Lieutenant Colonel 
 'Flovd and Captain Terry, of the seventeenth Tennessee regiment, and 
 Li>-utenant Colonel Snowdon, and Acting Adjutant Gregg, of the 
 twi iity-fifth Tennessee regiment. To Colonel l^uggs, I feel especially 
 indi'iitcd for his gallant, able and efficient services in commanding 
 'Gre^'g's brigaie. lie is a good and meritorious officer. <'olonel 
 
105 
 
 Walker and Lieutenant Colonel Clack, of tlie third Tennessee; Col- 
 onel Grace of the tenth Tennessee; diptJiin Curtis, of the fiftieth 
 Teiinesgee, and Captain Osburn, of the fortj-fir:<t Tennessee rc^iraenti', 
 all of Gregg's brigade, merit special coininundatinn for their services 
 in this protracted struggle. To the courage and fortitude uf the men 
 of this brignde, as well as to every other brigade which struggled with 
 them in our last persistent effdrts to drive tlie encnjy froro tlicir final 
 position. I trust the proper sense of gratitude will be awarded. CoJ- 
 oncl Coleman, commnnding McNair's brigade, did g::llaiit service and 
 carried his command f lithfull)* through all the varying fortunes of the 
 field, on the left, to the very close of the fight. I regret that I am 
 unable til specify more particularly the services of meritorious officers 
 of this brigade. 
 
 1 beg leave to call attention to the cflioient use made of artillery in 
 my command. My purpose in accordance with preconceived notion.?, 
 *RS to keep my ariillo-y employecd to the utmost practicable extent 
 in conjunction with my infantry; and my little expoiienco on this 
 battle field, only determines me on all like occasions to iraproTC on 
 my practice of this day. 
 
 I need add nothing more in acknowlr dgmont of the s'^rvices of Cap- 
 tain Drnt and hientenunt Everett commanding battprics in ray liues, 
 or of the gallantry of tlie men nnd^r their co n:mn Is. 
 
 I have to recri't that no report h;is been fiirui.-<bed me by Cap'ain 
 Cnlpcpcr, comrainding the battery attachi-d to McNair's brigide; 
 and I also regret that neither this hittery nor I'l^dsoe's fir.st Missouri 
 battery, commanded by First hieutenant II. Wo.xl, and attached to 
 Gregg's brigade, for reasons not known tome, followed their brigades 
 or rarticipated in our fight fijr Missionary ridge, where they would 
 have won unfailing laurels for every officer and m'n attached to them. 
 
 The gallant conduct of my brigade inspector, Second Lieutenant 
 M. W. RIack, of the seventeenth Tennessee regiment, distinguished 
 biro througbont ray t;ommand. and I feel that I can scarceJy do ju.^fice 
 to his services. He was always in the moments of severest conflict 
 •iDong the foremost ranks, reckless and indiffi-rent to danger. Ardent, 
 trtive and zealous, he has proven himself a raoat valuable officer on 
 the field of battle. While personally directing a piece of artillery 
 in the fight 00 Missionary ridge, on the 2Mth of Septombor, he was 
 ieverely wounded by a ball that cruched his lower jaw and carried 
 »way a part of his tongue. His speedy recovery is, however, now 
 boprfi:!ly anticipated. 
 
 '?" my aid-de-catnp. Captain W. T. Rlikemore, who has served with 
 
 i every confli.-t of this army, as well ss at Donidoon, and always 
 
 honor and ability, I am indebted for much valuable service oa 
 
 eld, and he merits more than 1 can say for him here. 
 
 .y brigade inspector. Lieutenant E. R. Smith, of the twenty-fifth 
 
 Ttiinessee regiment, and my acting aid-dc-camp, Second Lieutenant 
 
 George Marchbanks, of the Confederate States army, gallantly and 
 
 faithfully labored with mc on the lOih and SUtb of .September, and J 
 
 desire to acknowiedgi' my obli^/jjtions to them for the z'al and intel- 
 
 l""nce with which they performed their respective duties. 
 
104 
 
 To the medicnl staff of each brigade of this division I desire to 
 tender toy gmteful acknowledgmentd for their faithful aud efficient 
 services in taking care of the wounded. 
 
 To my vflicieut ordnance oflicer, Lieutenant James B. Lake, I feel 
 that a Fpeciul acknowledgment is iiiic as well for all his faithful ser- 
 vices past, as for the prompt supplies which he furnis^hed my whole 
 division from a brigade ordnance train, aud yet, at the close of the 
 I atilc, exhibiting greater abundance of stores on hand than at its 
 ccimmencement. 
 
 In conclusion, it will be observed that the severest conflicts in 
 ■which my command was engaged on the field of Chickauiauga, occur- 
 red on the evening of the I9th,uud in the morning and evening of the 
 2tith September. 
 
 On the evening of the 1 9ih, my command suffered ns much in three 
 hours as during the whole day of the -iHth September. 
 
 On Sunday, my command suffered .severely until the enemy's breast- 
 works were carried in the morning, and again during the contest for 
 the 8pur of Missionary ridge, in the evening. 
 
 My division comraencedto fight in the front line on the IHth of Sep- 
 tember, and fought in the front line through the conllict of both days, 
 and at the close was far in advance of all support, as it was also at 
 different times during the latter day. 
 
 The strength of my command and the number of casualties are 
 hereunto appended. The lists of killed, wounded and missing in 
 Gregg's and Johnson's brig.ides were f(jrwarded on the 2Dth of Sep- 
 tember, but no lii-t has yet been furni.«hed by McNair's brigade, and 
 the aggregates are only given by Colonel Coleman, who commanded 
 this brigade after General Mcls'air was wounded. 
 
 I have received no report from Brigadier General E. McNair'or 
 Gregg. 
 
 Everett's battery fired four hundred and twenty-eight rounds. 
 
 Bledsoe's battery tiled one hundred and twenty-five rounds. 
 
 Culpeper's battery not reported. 
 
 Dent's battery not reported, as it belongs to Ilindman's division, 
 though it fought with mine from about one, P. M., until sunset 2i)th 
 September, 1563. 
 
 1 forward lurewith the reports of Lieutenants Everett and Wood, 
 commanding batteries attached respectively to Johnson's and Gregg'»( 
 brigades, and the reports of Colonels Suggs, Coleman and Fulton, 
 commanding brigades. 
 
 1 am, sir, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 B. R. JOHNSON. 
 
 Jifi adier General. 
 
105 
 
 LIST OF THE KILLED, WOVXDED AND 31ISSIXG in John- 
 son^ s Division. 
 
 
 KiLLKD. 
 
 "Wor»DSt>. 
 1 1 
 
 o a 
 
 Mi«iixa. 
 
 Agoheoati. 
 
 
 EuiCAPKS. 
 
 m 
 
 c 
 
 •s. 
 
 •9 
 
 o 
 
 • 
 
 Rm&RKS. 
 
 Jiihnsi.n> 
 
 3 
 9 
 
 2.J 
 100 
 61 
 
 28 HZ 
 
 89 43.5 
 
 1 836 
 
 l.T 
 
 1 
 
 8o 
 17 
 C4 
 
 o.JT 
 CuV 
 4A1 
 
 »Apgreg«le!J 
 en'y reporled 
 inthiBbrignd* 
 
 REPORT OF OFFICEPS AND 3IEN taken into action on the 19M 
 atid 20M Stpttmber, 1S63. 
 
 I9lh September. { 20tb September. 
 
 S l< 
 
 Johr.?<.n> '108 761 I R69 I 61 49-5 C".6 ».\ot lurnishea for 
 
 (i ';l'> - 134 1218 I 13r.2 I 95 I 768 t<48 20th. 
 
 i* 100 I HOT , 12<i7 I I. ^..J ' 
 
 L-gr<.gate iafmnirj, 'i,4'2S. 
 
 
 lOili 
 
 « 
 
 S 
 
 m 
 o 
 
 September, 
 
 20. h 
 
 ScpUmber. 
 
 
 Artillibt. 
 
 1 
 
 . i 
 
 c •« 
 
 1 
 
 a 
 
 < 
 
 r.EMAnKS. 
 
 R»'r»tt> t. 
 
 Tolp' p«r'K* 
 
 liwl.n..'. 
 
 8 
 4 • 
 
 8 
 
 94 
 
 81 
 
 87 
 84 
 84 
 
 3 
 
 82 
 
 tc 
 
 
 4 
 
 ,- 
 
 u 
 
 ■>l-|ll 
 
 
 
 — . 
 
 Aggrrg%ie »ru.i<rrv, iiSS, 
 
 i 
 
RErORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL GIST, COMMANDING 
 DIVISION. 
 
 Near Chullanooga, Ttnn., October 11, 18C3. ) 
 
 Captain J. B. Gumming, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General: 
 
 Captain : 1 have the honor to submit the following report of the 
 participation of the troops under my command in the battle of 
 Chickainauga on Suiidav, the i'lth of September last : 
 
 licinj; ordered with my brigade — consisting of the fourth Georgia 
 Tolunteers, Colonel P. II Cohjuitt comrannding, the twenty-fourth 
 South Carolina volunteers. Colonel C. II. Stevens commanding, the 
 eixth South Carolina volunteers, Colonel James McCullough commad- 
 ing. the eighth Georgia battalion of volunteers, Lieut. Col. L. Nayier 
 commanding, and Ferguson's light battery. Lieutenant Beauregard 
 commanding — to Rome, Georgia, upon detached service, I did net 
 engage in the affairs of the ISih nnl 19th of September, with the 
 oiher triopa of the reserve corps of M-.ijor General W. 11. 'f. Walker. 
 On the afternoon of Thursday, the 17ih of September. I received 
 oiilers fioui the Colonel commanding to report, with my brigade, at 
 Rinngold, Georgia, and was further informed that transportation by 
 rail would be afforded rae. I left Rome the next morning, upon the 
 arrival of the trains, with the twenty-fourth South Carolina volun- 
 teer'^, eighth Georgia battalion, three companies of the fourth Georgia 
 volunteers and Ferguson's battery, there not being ears sufficient for 
 the remainder of the command. L^pon reaching Kingston, I urged 
 the transportation agent to send forward additional ears for that por- 
 tion of the brigade still at Rome, and he a>*sured me that ho would do 
 80 promptly. I subsequently telegraphed him from Ringgold to hasten 
 on the rest of the command. The result was that the sixteenth South 
 Carolina voluntoerB and my battery did not join me until the morning 
 of the 'J3d of September, throe days after the battle. Upon arriving 
 at the terminus of the railroad, Catoosa, (wood station,) on the morn- 
 ing of the 19th, I rode forward to Ringgold for orders an<l to obtain 
 ■wagons for my reserve ammunition, my own train being Icf'. with 
 the divi.sidn upon my dei)arture for Rome. In' a few hours I received 
 orders from the (Icneral cor.imandiiig to guard and aoiivoy to the army 
 a large ordnance train that would be formed ami reported to me. This 
 train was not reported until near ten o'clock, I*. M. With the train 
 in charge, having procured a reliable guide in the person of Dr. 
 Evans, of Ringgolil, I reached Alexander's bridge, at which point I 
 was directed to cros- Chiekainaugv creek, if possible, about sunrise 
 upon the morning of the 2!itb, after a most fatiguing march during 
 the entire night. 1 reported my arrivnl with the train to array head- 
 quarters, and, being relieved of further charge of it, was directed to 
 Inarch forward to a point about a mile distant from the bridge and 
 
there await further orders. After rcraniDing nt this position some 
 twenty minutes, 1 was ordered, by a staff officer of the Gcnersl oom- 
 man'iin^, to move forward, reporting to Lieutenant General Polk, nn<l 
 join Major General Walker's corps, being at the same time placed 
 under the guidance of a st.ilf officer of tjenernl Polk ; ho turned over 
 the directiim of my command to a second officer of the same st.nff, 
 end he to a third officer. With considerahle difficulty, and after march- 
 ing for some time, I reached the division to which I was nttachi-d. 
 Upiin reporting ray command, at this time numbering only nin> hun- 
 dred and eighty, aggregate, I was ordered by Major (Jencral Walker 
 to at once assume command of the division, consisting of Brigadier 
 General Ector's, Colonel Wilson's and my own brigades — the brig- 
 ades of Ector and Wilson numbering about five hundreil each, 
 having suffered heavy lo^'ses in the engagement on the previ-'m day. 
 Lieutenant General D. H. Hill was present when I reported to Gen- 
 erals Polk and Walker, and. arJ I wa-i turning off to assume command 
 of the division, requested Major General Walker to send a brigade to 
 the 8'ip;-ort of Major General Rreckinrid;re's division that was hotly 
 engaged in our front and npon our left. Major General Walker indi- 
 cated one of General LiddolTs brigiides near by. General lldl asked 
 fur I list's brigade, saying he had heard of that brigade. Gen. Walker 
 'rked thfit (list's brigade is just coming up. and directed me to 
 it to (General Hill I ilid ?o ; the brigade being now under c^m- 
 rn ind of Colonel P. H. Colquitt, of the fourth Georgia volunteers, he 
 at once reported and received his instructions from General Hill. 
 General Walker then dirtetcd me to report the other t.vo brigades 
 ■l»o to (Tcneral Hill, which was promptly done. Colonel Colquitt, 
 having bis instructions from General Hill, advanced his command ia 
 the direction indicated, being cautioned that he was to support Gene- 
 ral Breckinridge, two of whose brigades were reported in his imme- 
 diate front. 1 was afterwards directed by General Hill to follow up 
 and support the advance of the first brigade with the brigades of 
 Ector and Wilson. Colonel Colquitt, upon advancing a few hundred 
 yards in the wood before him, found himself in the presence of the 
 "'"ny, strongly posted and massed behind a breastwork of logs, th8 
 » reported m his front having retired before the galling fire of the 
 y. The directio'n taken by Colquitt was also too fur to the right, 
 'he left regiment (twenty-fourth South Carolina volunteers) only 
 • directly upon the enemy's lines, which were so di"po?ed by a 
 lit as to rake the entire front of the brigade as it came forward 
 a severe and destructive en61ading fire. The brigade could mt 
 • V. changed direction, as the position of the enemy was not discovered 
 I'V I'donel Colq'iitt until the left was within a short distance of 
 ' rcastwork* ; the right, however, changed front sufficiently to 
 oe directly engnged. Colonel Colquitt did cot reconnoitre th» 
 ion, »8 he was instractrd that our troops were in his from. Trie 
 enemy now poured firth a most destructive and well-airoed fire npon 
 th" ffitirc line, and though it wavered and recoiled under the shodt, 
 y the exertions of the gallant Colquitt, noMy seconded by C"l<>- 
 >$tevens, Capcri and other brave and true oSicere, order was 
 
 I 
 
108 
 
 promptly restored, J<nd for aome twenty-five minutes the terrific fire 
 nas ^Yiihstood and returned with marked cfi°oct by the galUnt little 
 band. #r 
 
 It was here that the lamented Cohjuitt was mortally wounded whilst 
 cheering on his command; and, in quick succession, the iron- nerved 
 Stevens and the intrepid Capers were seriously wounded and, among 
 others who deserve to live in their country's memory, yielded up their 
 life blood. One-third of the gallant command was either killed or 
 wounded. Reeling under the storm of bullets, having lost all b.ut two 
 of their field officers, the brigade fell back, fighting, to the position 
 from which they advanced. The brigade of Ector and Wilson kept 
 
 up their fire from the . Tlie enemy did not venture beyond their 
 
 Works, 80 severely had they suflfered, until 1 was directed by General 
 Hill to withdraw my men to the position they occupied before advancing, 
 and reform my whole line in rear of the batteries, some few hundred 
 yards distant from the enemy's position. This order was gallantly 
 extended, under a heavy fire, by Captain M P. King, my assistant 
 adjutant general. Our lines being re-established, we remained ia 
 position uutil about four o'clock, P. M., when a general advance was 
 ordered. 
 
 Major A. M. Speer, with seven companies of the fourth Georgia 
 volunteers, having come up, my own brigade, now under commaml of 
 Lieutenant Colonel Napier, was increased to some one thou.'^and four 
 hundred men and officers. I was directed by Major General Walker 
 to support the advance of General Liddell's division. Upon reaching 
 the Chattanooga road, General Liddell found his command exposeil to 
 a heavy fire upon both flanks and fell back tb my rear. The gallant 
 fourth Georgia, occupying the right of the brigade, eager to avenge 
 their beloved colonel, the bravo Captain Cooper and other true officers 
 of the regiment, with a loud cheer, led by their brave major, charged 
 through the woods before them, driving the enemy and capturing some 
 forty prisoners. The remainder of the brigade followed up handsomely 
 the advance upon the left. Upon reaching the Chattanooga road, the 
 force of the enemy that engaged and fired upon the flanks of General 
 Liddell's division had retired from view ; and, not being aware of any 
 support upon my right, I at once halted the command, threw out 
 ekirmii^hers to my front and upon my right fl.ink, and sent information 
 of my position to Major General Walker. The brigades of General 
 Ei'tor and Coh.nel Wilson advancing, took up position to the left of 
 the first brigade without encountering any serious opposition. Not 
 receiving any furtlser orders, and night being nearly upon* us, we 
 bivouacked upon the field of victory. General Liddell, whose com- 
 mand was promptly reformed, came up and took position on my right. 
 Tiic firing ceased; loud cheers went up to Heaven, and the grandest, 
 most important battle of the war was fought and won. 
 
 1 Would respectfully refer the Major General commanding to the 
 reports of Brigadier General Ector and Colonel Wilson for particulars 
 in relation to their respective commands, and ackuowle<lge my indebt- 
 edness to them for judicious and LJlicient support. To Major B. B. 
 Smith, inspector, Captain M. P. King, assistant adjutant general. 
 
109 
 
 Lieutenants L. M. Butler and J. C. Ilahersham, aids-dc-camp, of my 
 staff, I am under groat obligations for valualile assistance in reforming 
 Commands, extending orders under heavy fires and other cffieii-nt 
 service. Major J. S. Green, brigade quartermaster. Captain J. A. 
 Bowil, acting brigade commissary, and Lieutenant J. M. Hunt, acting 
 brigade ordnance officer, were at tiieir post and in efficient discharge 
 of their respective duties. I would recommend to the favorable notice 
 of the General commanding the distinguished gallantry of Colonel C. 
 H. Stevens, twenty-fourth South Carolina volunteers, who, besides 
 being severely wounded, had two horses killed under him. 
 
 I have the honor to enclose a report of the officers and men from 
 njy own brigade, represented by their commanding officers as having 
 conducted themselves meritoriously upon the fieM of battle. 
 
 I cannot close my report without expressing my satisfaction at the 
 conduct and efficiency of the officers, and my admiration for the brave 
 and soldierly bearing of the men of the division which I had the 
 honor to command in the battle of Chickamauga. Their rolls of killed 
 and wounded testify to the place jvhich they occupied in the picture. 
 1 am, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant. 
 
 S. R. GIST, 
 Brigtidier General commanding. 
 
i 
 
 EErORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL E. C. WALTHALL. 
 
 IIeadqiarters Wai.th*ll*8 Brigade, > 
 Aiar C/iatlanot^ga, Oct. 6, ISCS. J 
 
 Captain G. A. Wiuiams, 
 
 Assiilajit Adjutant Gf^neral : 
 
 Captai.n: I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
 battle of Chickamauga, in what c mcerns ray own cotninand : 
 
 On Friday, I8ih iSeptenibfr, about ten o*<.luck, P. M., when the 
 head of Major General Walker's column reached a point about a half 
 inila from Alexuuder'a bridge, I was ordered by Bri;j;adier Gem-ral 
 Liiidell, commanding division, to form line of battle, with the left of 
 my brigade resting on the road leading to the bridge, and to move 
 forward, guiding left, and keeping cbe road to my lelt The line waa 
 formed almost at right angles to tiie road, t}ie right slightly retired, 
 and bkirmishers, covering my entire front, were thrown forward about 
 two hundred yards. 
 
 TLope dispositions made, I moved forwar<l through a dense thicket, 
 and, after advancing about a quarter of a mile, the enemy's skir- 
 mishers were encountered in front of my left and centre, the two regi- 
 ments on the right, twenty-fourth Mississippi rt'giraent (Lieutenant 
 Colonel McKelvane) and twenty-seventh Mississippi regiment, (Colonel 
 Campbell,) meeting no opposition, e.\cept in front of the two coinpn- 
 uies on the lelt of tlie twenty-seventh regiment. The road on which 
 my left rested in the beginning of the movement turns to the right at 
 a point two or three hundred 3'ards from the bridge, forming a riglij 
 angle. At this point the tiiirty-fourih Mississippi regiment, Mnjor 
 Pegram commanding, and thirtieth Mississippi regiment, Colonel 
 Scales commanding, in advancing passed across the road into an opea . 
 field, and the twenty-ninth Mississippi regiment, Colonel Brantley, ( 
 the centre regiment of my command, boing inmie liately opposite the 
 bridge, was stubbornly resisted ftir about fifteen minutes;^ and, in the 
 meautinu', the regiments to the left of this driving the skirmisliers ■■*■ 
 the enemy before them, swung round under the enoiiiy's arhllcry li 
 thiough an open fitfid, until the line they formed was nearly at rl_; 
 angles to that formed by the other throe regiments, conforming in !. : 
 mam to the general direction of the creek. When the bridge wh 
 gained by the twenty-ninth Mifsissippi regiment, it was done under ■» 
 heavy fire from tho enemy pointed on the opposite bank of the creel:, 
 which along my line was narrow, but deep, with steep banks and 
 impassable. Tho bridge had been torn up by the enemy, but this 
 faet, owing to the density of tho undergrowth, could not be ascer- 
 tAiiied until the bank of tlu- creek was occupied. Tlie thirty-fourtii 
 •^ud tiiirtieth Missis.sippi regiments, after swinging to the right as above 
 lucutionod in the field, had been halted by their commanders and i 
 men ordered to lie down,, the enemy having disappeared in their froi. 
 1 then directed the skirmishers of these regiments, which I had pre- 
 
Ill 
 
 Tionslj ordcreJ to be pressed forward, to be re calltd, and ibe re;;imenti» 
 to move by the right flank until they closed up an interval between 
 the thirtieth and twenty-ninth near the angle in the line. Fowler's 
 battery, of my brigade, during the engagement, was put in position 
 by the Brigadier General commanding on an eminence to the left of 
 my line to operate on a battery of the enemy which had been fheliing 
 my line, but the enemy withtirew his pieces while Captain Fowler was 
 getting in position, and. in the meantime, the bridge was taken. In 
 this action the twenty-ninth Mississippi lost heavily, and in the thirty- 
 fourth an officer and twenty-four enlisted men were wounded. The 
 twenty-fourth sustained no loss, an<l twenty-seventh and thirtieth but 
 slight. When the condition of the bridge was reported to .M«j')r 
 General Walker, he directed nae to move my command by th<> right 
 flank, under the direction of a guide furnished me. towards IJyron's 
 for<l, about one mile Iclow AK-.\andcr"s bridge, where my command, 
 followed by the rest of Major General Walker's corps, cro8.«ed. without 
 opposition, and moved about a mile towards Lee & Gordon's mill, on 
 the Vinyard road. Kight, in the meantime, coming on. I halted, 
 under orders from the Brigadier General commanding, and the neict 
 mornings soon after dayjight, I moved out, left in front, following 
 Colonel (jovan's brigade. The column had not moved more than 
 three quarters of a mile when it was halted ami rested on the road fide 
 until about eleven o'clock, when I received order* from the Brigadier 
 General commanding to advance in line of battle. After moving 
 forward two or three hundred yards, he directed me to move by the 
 right flank, and, when my right was nearly opposite an eld shop near 
 the road, to halt, and front, and sdvance in line of battle. Just hero 
 a et.'ifT officer from Major General Walker came to me with orders to 
 move rapidly forward, as Ector's and W'ilsoa's brigades v. ere badly 
 cut up and largely outnumbered by the enemy. Soon the (ieneral 
 came in person, and, meeting me with my command, gave me instruc- 
 tions as to directions, localities, &c. With Colonel Govan's brigade 
 on my left, I moved rapidly forward and encountered the enemy 
 (before I had advanced five hundred yaids) in strong force. The 
 liiring indicated that the f^o brigades bad met the enemy along the 
 wboie line of both at the same time After moving forward a hundred 
 .yard? or so my line was checked for a moment by a heavy artillery 
 ■»iid mueketry fire, but, when ordered to advance, tho whole line tnoved 
 ."trorriptiv forward with a shout, breaking the first, -md then tl.esecoiid 
 line of the rnrmy, passing over two full batterirs arul capturing four 
 iLunired and eleven pri?oiier?, of whoiff twenty-three were corarnia- 
 •ioned oTicera. The prisoners, in the main, claiined to be from th<; first, 
 (•econd. third, fourth and sixteenth United S'ates infantry, and from 
 company II, fifth artillery, and one first lieutenant from fourth 
 ■Indiana batt'-'ry. A l^rge proportion of the artillery horses attached 
 1*0 the batteries, orer »Vi(li we passed, having been cither killed or 
 'grounded, it was impos'lble, at the time, to retire the pince* as they 
 Ndrere pained. Lieutenant _ Colonel Iteynolds, field oflBcer of thf^ 
 I day, with • detail from the thirty-fourth Mississippi regiment, removed 
 
112 
 
 one Parrott gun to the rear, which was Jelivercil to Major Palmer, 
 chief of artillery on Major General Walker's staff. 
 
 After passing beyond the second line of the enemy I ascertained 
 that he was turning my right flank, and, while making a disposition 
 of my right regiment in the eftort to prevent it. Lieutenant Colonel 
 Reynolds, wlio hud been sent to the left of the line to observe the 
 operations there, reported to me that the enemy were already upon 
 the flank of my left regiment. Moving towards t!ie left I discovered 
 a piece of artillery being put in position opposite and within three 
 hundred yards of the left of my line, which was already turned. I 
 withdrew my command at once, the engagement having lasted about 
 one hour. The enemy did not pursue, and I took my position, under 
 orders from the Brigadier General commanding, to the right of the 
 position from which Major General Cheatham's command just then 
 advanced. 
 
 In this engagement my command suffered heavily. Lieutenant 
 Colonel McKelvane, commanding twenty-fourth Mississippi regiment, 
 and Lieutenant Colonel Morgan, of the twenty-ninth Mississippi rcgi- 
 tlent, were severely wounded. Lieutenant Colonel McKelvane 
 remained in command of his regiment (after he was wounded) till the 
 engagement was over. In the course of two hours from this time, 
 several immaterial changes having in the meantime been made in my 
 position. Lieutenant General Polk directed me to move by the right 
 flank, in extension of Major General Cheatham's line, taking my 
 position on the right of Brigadier General Jackson. This was done 
 under the enemy's fire, whose purpose seemed to be to turn General 
 Cheatham's right flank. Colonel Govan's brigade took position on 
 my right, whereupon the Brigadier General commanding ordered his 
 line to advance My command moved forward some three or four 
 hundred yards, the enemy contesting the ground, but falling back 
 until the crest of a ridge in front of me had been gained. Here the 
 enemy, strongly posted-, delivered a very heavy fire of artillery and 
 small arms ; the advance was cheeked, and in the course of tenor 
 fifteen minutes my line was forced to retire to its original position 
 on Brigadier Gener^il Jackson's right, and I was directed by the 
 Brigadier General commanding to remain there until further orders. 
 Four guns of Fowler's battery were posted, during this last move- 
 ment, in rear of Liddell's division, and opened fire on a battery of 
 the enemy which was shelling the troops on the left, and silenced it 
 in a few minutes. One section un<ler Lieutenant Phelan, in an 
 attempt to follow my hrigad? when it moved to General Cheatham's 
 right passed, by reason of another command being mistaken for mine, 
 beyond the right of my line, and was put in position at a point where 
 the infantry supporting it was forced to fail back before a superior 
 force of the enemy, after a short engagement. All the horses of one 
 piece were killed, and all hut one of the other either killed or I 
 wounded. One piece was lost, but afterwards recaptured ; the other 
 was brought off. The loss in killed and wounded in this section was 
 heavy, and the pieces used with great effect. 
 
 In the engagement cu Saturday afternoon Major Pogram, com- 
 
>^ ^>/>^/r 
 
 "^t^-^^^^e^^^ 
 
113 
 
 maoding the thirty-fourth Mississippi re.iiraent, and Mjjor Stnplcs, 
 commanding the twenty-fourth Mispissijipi regiment, were eeverely 
 wounded, and Captain Smith, the eenior Captain of the latter, having 
 been slightly wounded, the command of that regiment devolved on 
 Captain Tcomer till the next morning, when Captain Smith reported 
 for duty and apsuraed command. The comuiaud of the thirty-fourth 
 regiment devolved on Captain Bowen after Mijor Pegraia was 
 wounded. When Captnin Fowler reported that one of the pi aces 
 nnder Lieutenant I'helan had been lost on my right, the line in the 
 meantime having fallen hack, and the firing having ceased, the twenty- 
 fourth Mississippi regiment, under command of Captain Toomer, was 
 ecnt to the right, under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Rey- 
 nolds, field officer of the diy, to a point opposite where the gun was 
 Baid by Lieutenant Phelan to have b-^en taken by the enemy, and 
 moved forward, driving back the enemy's skirmishers till it was ascer- 
 tained that the enemy, who had retired from the position ho occupied 
 when the gun was taken, had removed the gun before falling back. 
 The regiment was then ordered back to its proper position in line. 
 
 At an early hour on Sunday morning my command was moved by 
 the left Rank, by ordc of the Brigadier General commanding, to the 
 rear of Major General Cheatham's line and then back, past the position 
 ■where it had spent the night, to the right, a distance of about a mile 
 and a half in rear of where Major General Breckenridgc's forces were 
 engaged, and baited about three-quarters of a mile from the Chatta- 
 nooga road. About twelve o'clock, and after one or two unimportant 
 changes of position. Lieutenant General Polk directed me to move to 
 the left, to a point to be indicated by Major Ratchford, of Lieutenant 
 General Hill's staff, to the support of Brigadier General Polk. I 
 moved by the left flank to the point indicated by ^L^jor Ratchford, 
 who accoropatiied me, and advanced my line under a heavy fire from 
 the enemy, which commenced before 1 got into position. I pressed 
 forward two or three hundred yards under this fire through dense 
 nndcrgrowth, until the enemy opened fire on my left flank from the 
 angle of his fortifications just opposite. About the same time an 
 impre--sion — afterwards shown to be unfounded — was produced by 
 itragclers, and among them one officer, filling bick from sune line to 
 •1 '■ Tight of .Tiy immediate front, that the right of my line had fired 
 lur own friends; so dense was the thicket that it was impossible to 
 tain at the moment the exact position of any line, nor was 1 able 
 lid Brigadier General Polk's command. My left having been 
 n back, I ordered the right to cease firing and retired it, and 
 racd my line under cover of the hill, and reported the fact to 
 tenant General Hill, who directed me to hold the position which 
 cnpied, guarding well my left; my right and centre being then 
 f •, . red by another command, which bad fallen back, and wai 
 .,..,r. „ '•'■•■'• near roe. Lieutenant Colonel KeynoMs, of the thir- 
 • 1 regiment, who but a short time before I hfid assigned 
 1 .1 of the thirty-foorth Mississippi regiment, fell, mor- 
 • wounded, at his post of duty, just before the left of my line gave 
 un'ler a flank fire, as above stated, and died soon aftcrwardi. No 
 ; r iver man or better loldier fell upon the field of Chickamanga than 
 8 
 
114 
 
 ■' (■ ..-r.^ .,1 "•<'-^'nj,ljslicil officer, whose lo?3 is ileeplj dcp1'>re(I 
 ; <1. lu hiii de.itU the 6ei'vtce sustuiiis a LL.ivy 
 1 _ . : •- :, of tiie thirtieth Mississippi regiment, >v;i3 
 
 vouiidcu about the Baiiie lituc, but, Lis woubd beiugt»]ight, ho did nut 
 quit the field. 
 
 In a Ehort time after my lino was reformed, I was ordered hy th.^ 
 Tiri^z^Jier General commuuding to move luy conitnniid by tho rigbi 
 flaijk some four hundred yards and forward about half thit fiistancc 
 and await orders. The right of uiy bri;;iide rested iu a field, near a 
 Itucc, aud the centre and icft in the voods, juit in rear of a little 
 j.rairic. In this positioi!, with.uiy battery posted near the centre ..; 
 my line, and Govan'b brigiide on my left, 1 remained until about five 
 o'clock, when I rtccived orders from the JJrigadier General con ;.i:iu '. 
 ing tTiat the line would advance and to move ray command ferxv i.l, 
 pui'liiig left. I put it in motion, my brigade being then on the f . 
 right of the line, and met no opposition even from the enemy- 
 mi.-hers until 1 was in sight of the Chattanooga road, near MfD';i n^ - 
 house. Ileie the tkirmishers, firing from behind the house aud t!. 
 out-houBCS of the settlement, resisted my advance for a momeu», l>nt 
 EOi.n most of them fled, .i few surrendering. 1 moved across the road 
 and into the open field beyond, and was ordered by the Brigadier 
 General commanding to halt about two hundred yards from the road 
 and let the nun lie down till he could put tho batteries of his division 
 on my right, and to this he gave his personal attention. ^Vhi!e my liiio 
 was advancing unopposed, a continuous fire was beard to ray left, and 
 m'-st of it Ecemed to be on the left of Govau's brigade, and a.s the 
 division advanced this firing wa.? continued to its left and rear. In 
 the field in which my line was halted. Govan's brigade also halted, 
 in extension of my line. Skirmibhers were kept two or three hundred 
 yards in front. The order to lie down hail scarcely been given and 
 executed, when the whole line was enfiladed from three batteries — one 
 on the hill in the neighborhood of Cloud's hou.se; another within three 
 hundred yaids of the right of my line, concealed in a clump of bushes, 
 (both these on the right;) and one to the left of Govan, near the Chat- 
 tanooga road. Some of our pieces were turned upon the batteries to 
 the r);:ht aud used to the best aiivaiitage under tlie circumstances, but 
 neither was silenced. After enduring a very heavy fire for ten or 
 fifteen minutes itom these three batteries, with no enemy to bo seen 
 ir. front, the brigade to my left gave way, and my own soon followed, 
 falling back in confusion under a furious cannonade. The enemy, 
 from the woods to the right, soon appeared an<l occupied the road in 
 lime to cut off and capture most of the skirmishers, with several of 
 their oflicers, who covered my front in the field. Colonel J. J. b'ealcs, 
 commanding tliirtiuth Mississippi regiment, was captured here, and 
 Lieutenant Colonel Jones, twenty-seventh Mississippi regiment, then 
 acting a> field cfliccr of the day, w as wounded, lie, however, returned 
 to duty ne.\t morning. With the three remaining field ofiicers (and 
 one of them slightly wounded, but still on duty) out of the t< ii with 
 whom 1 had gone into action Saturday morning, my broken line wa= 
 promptly rtfoimcd and moved foiwuid. The enemy had wiihd;a«ii 
 
llo 
 
 before I again reached the Chnttanooga roa<l, and I was ordered bj 
 the Brigiidier General comtnapding, Bcon after, to. take position in a 
 field to the right of Govan's brigade, which ■was posted near McDor- 
 ald's house and cast of the Chattanooga road, and to construct such 
 temporary protections for the men as could be made of rails, etc., in 
 front of my lines. Just after I. got into the field with my con-.mand. 
 I was directed by the Brigadier Genera] commanding to move it back 
 into the woods, in rear of Colonel (iovan. Two shells, to which the 
 enemy replied from a battery in front, having been thrown directly 
 over my liiie from sotte battery in my rear, the first one explodincr 
 just uvcr the twenty-fourth Mississippi regiment and severely wound- 
 ing a man of that command. 
 
 The next day the whole corps move<l toward Chattanooga by the 
 main road, it having been ascertained that the enemy bad retired 
 during the night. In this battle out of ten field ofiicers, one hundred 
 and thirty-four company officers and sixteen hundred and eighty-threp 
 enlisted men, which I carried in, I lost seven hundred and five, of 
 ■whom sixty-nine were killed and twelve have since died from their 
 wounds. A full report of casualties is herewith submitted. 
 
 To all of my regimental commanders, and to Captain Fowler, o? 
 Fowler's battery, I am indebted for their cordial support, and a gal- 
 lant, faithful and skillful discharge of duty at all times durin}; the 
 battle, as I am to the officers and men of their commands, for the 
 '■ ''ess, daring and persistence (except in a very few instances) which 
 d their action throughout all the engagements. For individual 
 frs rf r-^llantry, etc., for a more perfect understanding of de- 
 il!y refer to the reports of regimental and battery 
 rewiih submitted. To the several mem'^crs of ray staff 
 .a!;ks^ urc due for the valuable aid I received at their hinds, by 
 - of their prompt attention to all their duties, and their gallant 
 bearing under all circumstancvs. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 E. C. WALTIL^LL, 
 Brigadier General commanding. 
 
REPORT OF BftlGADIER GENERAL A. M. MAKIGAULT. 
 
 HEAD<iLAKTERS Ma.MC.ULt's BrIGADF., HlNnMAN's DiVISION, 
 
 Polk's Corps, Army cf Tennessee, 
 Missionary Riiige, Tenn., Oclobcr 8, 1863. 
 
 Major J. P. Wilson, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General: 
 
 Ma.ior: I have the honor to submit this, ray report of the pnrt 
 taten by this brigade in the late battle of Chickamauga and on the 
 two days preceding it : 
 
 On the morning of the 18th September, (having left our encamp- 
 ment near Lafayette the previous evening,) when about a mile and a 
 half from Lee & Gordon's mill, on Chickamauga creek — the enemy 
 opening upon our column whilst on the march, from a battery on the 
 opposite side — we were ordered to form a line of battle fronting the 
 enemy's position, which threw my command, the right resting on the 
 road, obliquely across an open field, cur front being covered by ^kirm- 
 ishers deployed from each regiment under the command of Major 
 Butler, of the twenty-eighth Aliibama regiment. Here the men were 
 ordered to lie down, in order to avoid the fire of the enemy's artillery, 
 ■which had begun to open upon our lines, causing a loss of six men in 
 the tenth and nineteenth South Carolina regiments. This position 
 was afterwards changed, in order to bring our right nearer to General 
 Deas' left, whope brigade extended beyond me to the right. Bivouack- 
 ing near the mad that nif.'ht, we again occupied a ]iosition near the 
 same place, but with the lines advanced and the left thrown forward 
 Bome three or four hundred yards on the follo\Ning morning, the 
 enemy's artillt ry occasionally throwing a few s;hot in our neighbor- 
 hood, but without effect. Our skirmishers kept up a steady Cre , 
 with those of the enemy opposing them. Buffering a small loss on their] 
 own part. 
 
 In the afternoon of this day (September iflthi we received oMers, 
 through the divJKioD commander, to move with the division to join 
 the main body of the army, a portion of whu-li had become engaged, 
 the buttle having fonniienced. Moving by the tight flank, and follow- 
 ing the brigaile of Gencml Dea^, we crossed ilie Chickamauga at 
 Hunt's ford, wading to the west bank. Contiiiu:i g to move on for a 
 distance of aliout two miles, we arrived upon the giound in the neigh- 
 borhood of which Hood's division had been engaged during the after- 
 noon. It WHS understood that we wore to support this division. The 
 brigade was then formed in line, with that of General Deas upon the 
 right, and Anderson's as a support, » few hundred yards in rear — our 
 line facing directly west. It was now after sunset, when the order 
 to move forward was received, and we advanced, drepsing to the right, 
 some four or* five hundred yards, moving forward slowly and with 
 difficulty, owihg to the dense growth through which wo had to pass, , 
 Skirmishers wore thrown to the front, the line haying been halted. 
 
117 
 
 The Ekirmishcrs and the left companies of the thirtj-fourth Alabama 
 regiment, on the extreme left of the brigade, a short time after night- 
 fall (twice) became engaged with a forco of the enemy, believed to be 
 a reconnoitering party, in which that regiment lost some twelve or 
 thirteen men killed and wounded, but in each instance inflicting a 
 severe loss upon the enemy and driving them back. Falling back 
 from the above position, by order of the division commander, about 
 nine o'clock that night we rejoined the line of battle, a portion of the 
 brigade filling the space between the left of Hood's division and the 
 right of Major General Buckner's corps. 
 
 Un the morning of the 2iith of September, (Sunday.) at an early 
 hour, our final line of battle was complete — the brigade being in the 
 front line. General Deas, with his brigade, being on my right, and my 
 left resting on Colonel Trigg's brigade, of Preston's division, Buck- 
 ner's corps. My instructions were to move forward when the brigade 
 to my light moved — the attack commencing on the right of the army — 
 the movement being taken up successively by each division and brig- 
 ade towards the left, and I was also informed that the troops on my 
 left wouM move forward in like manner. At about half-past eleven, 
 A. M., (the action having commenced on the right at about ten 
 o'clock. J General Deas' brigade began its forward movement, and my 
 own was given the order to advance. The guiilc being to the right, 
 in order to preserve a continuous line (ns much as possible) with that 
 portion of the division on the right, the men were obliged to move 
 forward at a very rapid pace. Skirmishers, covering the entire front, 
 preceded our advance at a distance of from one hundred to one 
 hundred and fifty yards. The brigade moved steadily on for a distance 
 of some six or seven hundred yards before meeting with any opposi- 
 tion, when we found the enemy in our front, posted near the crest of 
 a hill, a gradual ascent leading to it; and behind breastworks of logs 
 and timber their infantry lay, opening upon the command a heavy fire 
 at .short range from their positions of fancied security. At this point 
 the tenth and nineteenth South Carolina regiments were partially in 
 a wood ; the twenty-fourth Alabama regiment was exposed in an open 
 field in the front of them, and in tlie centre of which was planted a 
 Federal battery; several pieces of artillery also being in the wood on 
 our right. Water's battery, which had followed in rear of the brigade, 
 occupied our centre, the twenty-eighth Alabama regimant on the left 
 of it, its right being on the west edge of the same field and exteniling 
 •"• a wood beyond, and the thirty-fourth Alabama regiment to the 
 f this wood, also in an open field, with thick woods in their front, 
 'intire line now became hotly engaged, the tenth and nineteenth 
 . Carolina and the twenty-fourth Alabama regiments advancing 
 rhic eighty yards of the enemy's breastworks, receiving and 
 z a heavy fire. Here they were checked and, from the severity 
 ■ fire, thrown into some confusion, not so much from the fiie in 
 t r front as from a heavy enfilade fire from the enemy fin their loft, 
 *! -^h caused a heavy loss, bat they almost iraraeli.it^ly alvaucol 
 ; and ilrove the enemy from his works, captuiing many prisoners 
 three pieces of artillery. The twenty- eighth and thirty-fourth 
 
118 
 
 Alnbama repinientB moved fteadily forward, also receiving a hoary 
 fire, and drove *the eiiemy from the w(>rkfl in tlieir front. Finding 
 myself at this tiiue on the extreme left of the army, the forces on my 
 Ifft. ■wliich, when in line of Vattle, 1 had been told would a'hanco 
 siuiultancouBly with me, had iiot done so, (the information which I 
 Lad received beinfr, I gupprsc, incorrect,) and that my left flai.k was 
 overlapped, as far as could be seen, by several regiments of the enemy's 
 infaiitry, and not knowing hnw heavy the enemy's force was in this 
 direction — my three ri;;bt regiments being thrown in much confusion, 
 atid a large force of the enemy advancing through tlie field on ray 
 centre torecover their lost ground and three pieces of artillery which had 
 been captured by the nineteenth ISouth Carolina, which, however, the 
 enemy did not succeed in doing — 1 ordered the brigade to f;ill back 
 iibout three hundred yards, across the Chattanooga and Lafayette road. 
 In this itiovcment the two left regiments, the twenty-eighth and thirty- 
 fourth Alabama, fell back with an unbroken f'ront. In retiri!ig the 
 battery, the pole of the limber of a piece having been broken, the 
 pieee'was for a time abandoned. However, Colonel Ueid, command- 
 ing twer.ty-eighth Alabama regiment, moved his regiment forward, 
 d( ploying two companies as fakirmishers, and succeeded in recover- 
 ing it. 
 
 Just after having given the order for tbe retirement of the brigade. 
 General Akdersou"s command of Mississippians, the reserve of the 
 division, came gallantly forward and swept l>y me. his It-ft regiment 
 covcrii.g some four or five companies of my right regiment. The 
 tenth 8outh Carolina, Colonel Prcssley commanding, the sixteenth and 
 ninteenth i^outh Carolina, with several companies, there joined him, 
 and continued to move forward. Previous to the advance of General 
 Anders'on. I had sent to General Buckncr to request that the brigade 
 i^hich had been on my left whilst in line (Trigg's brigade) should bo 
 sent forward to my support. They soon made their appcarnnce, but 
 the enemy had fallen b:ick, owing to the advance of Geuerala Deas 
 and Ander.son, and others on my right; they apprehending, in all 
 probability, that they themselves would bo cut off, seeing also that 
 reinforcements were coming to my assistance. 
 
 1 he line having been reformed, the brigade was then moved forward 
 Mid vas placed, by order of General llindman, on the right of Gene- 
 ral Deas' biignde, then occupying a portion of a ridge west <d' the 
 Toad known as tho llossville load. Here we remained butasbnrt time, 
 ■when orders were received from the same source to report to Gei.eral 
 Uushrod Johnson, whose command was then heavily pressed, on a 
 SMCcession of ridges which lay east of our present position, about a 
 balf a mile to our right, and to the cast of the Hossvillo rond Tho 
 ■command was immediately moved and formed on the summit of one 
 of the ridges before alluded to, the line being at right angles with that 
 occupied in the morning and running east and west. ■ My right 
 covered tho battery of Ciiptain Dent, which we found, to move to tho 
 support of General Jolmson, already in position ; the centre rested in 
 a g "ge between the ridge on which the battery stood and the left, 
 >fhich crowned a second ridgo ; Laving the brigade of General I'eas oa 
 
H9 
 
 the left, the ri<:>it of his hrieido, howovrr, rnYeriiifr six rompnrici" of 
 the tliirtv-fourih Alah,iu);i rogiment. t'kirmishcra having l)ecn thrown 
 forward, imtnctliatcly developed the enemy not more than onehiin'lred 
 and fifty or two hurdrcd Vdrds in our front, with a battery in position. 
 
 About half pott throe o clock, haring received orders from General 
 Bu.shrod Jolinson, uniler whose supervisian the niovemfnt was to he 
 niiide. to ewins rr,y line rouml. making a right h ilfwliecl. whit'h wheel 
 was to he continued il' practicable, in ordor to envelope the ennnv in 
 onr front and drive hira back upon the centre of our liM."i, O.noral 
 Deas (n n.y left to coinniince the movement, and eiuh pu'^rf'Sf.ive 
 brigade to onform to the wheel, keeping the touch of the right and 
 drossing to the left, the troops were set in motion 8n<l here commenced 
 one of the most de-peratc contests of the day. The movement %as 
 scarce begun ere the entire line bee nne cnL'ageil. and a deadly fire of 
 musketry and c.tnister was opened upon it at short range. The line 
 for a short time was thrown in much confusion, but was fpiickly rallied 
 !ind again advanccil ; again and again were thoy driven back, bat as 
 promptly rallied an 1 m-ived forward again, at each advance driving 
 the enemy still further from their original position. Nothing hut the 
 determined valor of our soldiers could h^ive withstood the withering 
 volieys poured into thfoi by the enemv, who at this point certainly 
 foucht with great oSstinacv. 
 
 The field iii.d Cfunpany officers were, as a general rule, conspicuous 
 for their go.oii coiiduot. urging and cheering on the men. at.d them- 
 selves setting an ex iniple to which their men nobly responded. After 
 a contest of nearly three hours, victory crowned iheir efforts, and the 
 foe were biiffli-cl and hea'cn and many takrn yiris' tiers. Owing to 'he 
 exposed position of the thirty fourth Alabama regiment, and to the 
 fact that a large number of the enemv still remained on our Uft. this 
 regiment could never get ahead, and was, together wiih alarge number 
 of men from the other regiments of the brigade, held in hand to pre- 
 vent any demonstration of the enemy on our flank. 
 
 It was after ^ — . . i . .1 < - ceased, and night ended the cin- 
 tcst. The m'T ! by thrir long continued tlTorts, 
 
 bad the proud > ; , »: g that they had been victorious 
 
 in every port of the field, and tha' their efforts had oontributed no 
 Binali share to the earning of this great victory. , 
 
 I would re.opectfully refer yon to the li^ts of killed and wou^d'-l 
 
 already banded in. We have to deplore the loss of many brave ofhi'ers 
 
 »ho fVll on that bloody field The loss of no one will be felt 
 
 •'If than thit of Cantain D. E. Hncr. assistant inspector 
 
 ■--■■"■-'■"• • ' - • ■ '■ ■ ■ r-1 
 
 , --i 
 
 . msnly mruuiers. his ira- 
 
 • -s of his defi^rtmcnt, and 
 
 . ci" Inepi) t ,t in action. The twentj- 
 
 ),..» on<» ; efficient officers. Captain 
 
 1' '., a g' • 1, a brave and gallant oifi- 
 
 Captaiii ' '."toper, of same regiment, 
 
120 
 
 were severely wounik-il, «nd their valuable services will be for a long 
 period lost to their countrj. 
 
 The following naaiod oflicers were distinguished for their conduct 
 on the field, and 1 take pleasure in bringing thetn to your attention 
 in this report: Lieutenant Colonel Julius S. Porcher, tenth South 
 Caroiii.a volunteers; Mnjor J. L White, nineteenth South Carolina 
 volunteers, and Adjutant Pencil, of same regiment. 
 
 Of twenty-fourth Alabama regiment, Captains Hazard, Oliver, 
 McCraken, Fowler and Hull, Lieutenants Higley, Chapman, I'acham, 
 Dunlop, Young, EuJioJm, Hood, llanley, Northrup, Short, Adjutant 
 Jennison, Sergeant-major Minck, and Color-sergeant Moody behaved 
 with great gallantry. 
 
 Lieuteni.nt Jordan, of twenty-eighth Alabama, conducted himself 
 in a most conspicuous manner, and I regret to say was killed during 
 the action. Of the same regiment. Captains Hopkins and Ford, Lieu- 
 tenant Graham and Acting Adjutant Wood, throughout the action, 
 were distinguished for their gallant conduct. Captain Beiso, A. IJ. 
 M., and Commissary Sergeant Craig were efficient in the discharge of 
 their duties in their resppctive departments. Thirty-fourth Alaliama 
 regiment. Lieutenants Mitchel, Lambert, Oliver, Crochett and Ijicker- 
 StafT behaved in a manner to attract attention. 
 
 I cunnot chsi; my report without referring specially to the conduct 
 atid bearing of Colonel J. C. Eeid, comniauditg, and Mnjor W'. L. 
 Butler, twcnty-eighih Alabama regiment ; Colonel J. F. Fressley, 
 commanding tenth South Carolina ; Colonel N. N. Davis, commanding, 
 and Lieutenant Colonel 13. Sawyer, twenty-fourth Alabama regiment, 
 and Major Slaughter, commanding thirty-fourth Alabama regiment, 
 and to their iiidividual e.'tcrtioiis is to be attributed much of the suc- 
 cess which attended our arms on that day. Untiring in their eflforts, 
 they set an example to their commands by their personal daring, the 
 effect of which was visible in many instance.s. 
 
 To my staff I am indebted for the most valuable assistance. Cap- 
 tain C. J. Walker, assistant adjutant general, and Lieutenant W'. £. 
 Huger, aid-de-camp, who fearlessly exposed their persons, carrying 
 and executing orders under the most trying circumstances. l>ieu- 
 tenant Malone, biigade provost marshal, was active in the discharge 
 of his duty, and rendered efficient service in the prevention of strag- 
 gling, forcing many who were unwilling to face th^ heavy fire to which 
 they had been exposed back into their proper positions. 
 
 1 beg leave to call your attention to the rej ort of the regimental 
 commanders, who have more particulaily specified the names, rank, 
 &c., of parties conspicuous for their conduct in their respective regi- 
 luontB, on the occasion of the battle of Chickamauga. 
 I have the honor, Major, to be, 
 
 \Yith great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 A. M. MANIGAULT, 
 Brigadier General cum» anding Brigade. 
 
RErORT OF BRIGADIER GEENERAL Z. C. DEAS. 
 
 Hf.adquarters Df.as' Bnir.APF. IIindman's Division, 
 
 Polk's Corpx, Army nf Tennessee, 
 Missionary Rii'ge, before Chattanooga, Oct. 9, 1863 
 
 Major J. P. Wilson, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General Hindmah's Division : 
 
 ■\ 
 
 Major : I have the honor to make the following report of the part 
 taken bj tny brigade in the action of the 19th and 2Uth September, 
 18C3, on Chickamauga creek : 
 
 Late in the afternoon of the 17th September, my brigade, with the 
 division, left Lafayette and bivouacked for the night near Worthon's 
 gap. The next morning we moved forward and formed line of battle 
 on the east sicle of Chickamauga creek, opposite to Lee & Gordon's 
 mill, where we had skirmishing and artillery firing, off and on, during 
 t!;"i' nnd the next day, utitil the division wa« relieved by that of Gcn- 
 Breckinridge, and ordered to cross the crick at Hunt's ford, 
 
 ■ one and a half miles below. Poon after cropsing, we came 
 fire of the enemy's artillery when I received orders to form on 
 
 ;:ht of Manigauh's brigade, with General Andcrpon supporting, 
 iove forward, which I did promptly, but before I reached the 
 i • f the enemy it was dark. All fighting having ceased, I fell 
 1 under orders, a short distance, and bivouacked for the night. 
 
 early daylight, I again moved forward to take ray position in 
 
 which was at the time occupied by a portion of a division under 
 
 ];; • idier General Law, which was moving by the light flank to make 
 
 r Mi forme; but it was seven, or perhaps even as late as eight 
 
 k, before my entire brigade got into position, with Rtig. General 
 
 vault's on my left, and Brigadier General An'lerson's in support. 
 
 I received ir.rfructions that the fighting would commence on the 
 
 and gradually extend towards the left, each brigade attacking 
 
 ' one on its right btcame engaged. 
 
 Tow minutes after ten o'clock, A. M., heavy firing of infantry 
 
 ■ rtillery on the right, announced that the fight had commenced 
 nest. About twenty minutes after eleven the brigade on my 
 'Gregg's) moved forward and engaged the enemy. I immedi- 
 followed, and by the time I had advanced three hundred yards, 
 
 Se line of the enemy behind a breai^twork of logs, at sight of 
 my men ru'hfd forward with a yeli, and. charging the dpfi.'nces, 
 ;hem without filtering. As they climbed over, some six or seven 
 red of the enemy threw down their arms and burned through our 
 to the rear. These works were at the foot of sgradnally sloping 
 f considemble height, just beyond the crest of which was posted 
 
 rut twelve pieces of artillery, and in front of them, a little lower 
 
12a 
 
 and (rnllant men without a moment's fdltering. About twelve pieces 
 of artillery were taken here. 
 
 By the liine I gained the crest of the hill my brigade (which had 
 for Bouie distance been moving at a double-quick, passing in tiiismnn- 
 ncr over two works cf the enemy.) bec:ime .somewhat scattered, and 
 Tkcre, in consequeDce, checked for tlie moment in their onwp.rd move- 
 ment. It was at this period that Brigadier General Anderson's g.il- 
 lant Mis.-is^ippi brigade came to my assistance, and as my men saw 
 them coming they moveil forward again and, in conjunction M-ith this 
 brigade, captured several other pieces of artillery and Blattered the 
 enemy in our front so effectually that they never rallied or reformed 
 again during the day on this part of the field. During this charge, 
 niy brig::de occupied the extreme left of the army, with the exception 
 of Brigadier (.icneral Anderson's, which, from being in support, had 
 got on my ki'c. I now halted and reformed my brignde, to be u.sedas 
 emergencies might require ; and, learning that Major General ilind- 
 nian was near by, reported, in person, and received orders to move to 
 the rear and right, and assist the troops then eng.iged, which proved 
 to be Brigaditr General Bushrod Johnson's division. I shoulii heio 
 £tate lh.1t my men killed, early in the fight, and bore off the body of 
 Biigadicr General Lfetle, United States army. 
 
 In moving back t^ 'take a new pos-ition, Brigadier General Ander- 
 son's brigalo and mine came together, i)ut soon si-parated again, ha 
 going to the right, and I to the left, to fjrra on the kft of Brigadier 
 General Uu^'hrod Johnson ; but on taking my position, under instruc- 
 tions from him, I foumi there was a gnp of about si* or seven hun- 
 dred yards. General Manigault, coming up some time ^fter this with 
 Lis brigade, was ordered by Major General llindman to fill up this 
 gap. To get into line with these brigades, it was necessary for 
 me to make a right wheel and to form a line at riglit angles with my 
 last. It was now about four o'clock. My line having been formed, I 
 was ordered by General Jolin,«on to make a right wheel again, or 
 swing to the right, which brought me in collision with the enemy. 
 My biigade at tl.is time being the extreme left of the army, and on 
 the cast side of the Rotsville road, formed a line facing almost to • 
 left flank of the one I occupiol in the morning. Hero coinmen 
 an attack on the right and rear of Thomas' or Granger's corps, po^^ i 
 ou a steep hill, on which was planted artillery. My brigade was .: 
 this time without any support whatever. The a.scent of this hill " 
 exceedingly diilicult, besides being very steep. Hero I met with ; 
 most obstinate resi.-tunce I had encountered during the i! 
 and, after contending with the enemy in this unequal posi;: 
 during an hour and a half, my men in this time having been v - 
 tially driven back several times, my whole line was finalf^' (iriven dnwu 
 the hill. After reforming in an adjoining hollow, I again moved fji- 
 vard and found that the attack on the enemy had been so severe i 
 they were not di-^posed to risk another eogiigement, and had reti. 
 leaving me in possession of the field. 
 
 It v,ae now dark, and I posted my command so as to bold the Ross- 
 ville road, ou which 1 then was, and then sent forward scouts one 
 
123 
 
 mile to the front, wlio reported no enemj. but captured about fifty 
 prisoners. Here I bivouacked for the ni^ht. 
 
 The nature of the ground over which the battle was fought did r.ot 
 admit of the free use of artillery, but Dent's battery, which was 
 sttMcbed to my bric^ado, followed it closely durin;; the morning ;Utack, 
 firinp, however, only a few shots; but in the afternoon it rendered 
 sigrial service, fighting at the time witli other coraraands on my right. 
 The officers deserve special mention fur their conduct. 
 
 I cannot close this report without testifying my high appreciation 
 of ihe courage and daring dispbiyed by the officers and men of tho 
 brigade which I had the honor to command on this ever memorable 
 field. Thpy here udded frefeb laurcds to those already won on otber 
 fields in the sacred cause of their country. 
 
 To regimental and battery commanders and their brave men, my 
 thnnk'B are due and most willingly tendered for their very valuable 
 assistance and co-operation in aiding to bring this battle to a success- 
 ful and decisive issue. 
 
 To my staff. I am specially indebted for their willingness and gal- 
 lantry in carrying out my orders on the field : Captain E. F. Travis, 
 assistant adjutant general ; Captain Douglas Wirt, acting as-i'^tant 
 insp" ctor general ; l^ieutenant F. G. Lyon, aid-de camp ; Captain 11. 
 H. Williams, roluntcer aid-de-camp ; Lieutenant C. J. MichailnfT-kv, 
 prAvopt marshal, 'ST. ! to Senior Surgeon V. B. Gilbert ; Major 11. J. 
 llili. a-si^tant quart:^tmaster; Major H A. Dea«, assistant commit'sary 
 of s-.il><iHtC!ice, and Lieutemiit T. B Dallas, ordnance officer, f'>r the 
 zeal and t-fficiency with which they discharged the duties of their seve- 
 ral ^e^p^ctlve departments. 
 
 In g)in J into the fijht on the 2nth, the brigade numbercd^ne hun- 
 dred and fifty-seven officers, and seventeen hundreil and eighty-five 
 enlisted men, of whom one hundred and twenty-five were killed, 
 five hundred and ninety-two wounded, and twcnty-ci^ht missing; 
 total, seven hundred and forty-five Among the killed 1 much regret 
 to n-cc'rd the name of Lieutenant Colonrd John Weeden, commanding 
 twenty- «econd .\iabama regiment, who fell, early on Sunday morning, 
 ■while miii gallantly leadin<; and cheering on his brave regiment A 
 few mir.uTcs before hira, fell the ranking captain of this regiment, I. 
 D N ■: rtian whom no braver or better officer ever poured out his 
 1 in bis country's cause. He died where the brave and good 
 . in the front rank, leading hi-: men on to victory. Two 
 !» ! whose lives were sacrificed to fanaticism. Msj B R.Ilart, 
 " sam" rogionent, was severely woun'led in the same charge. 
 
 i to state that, on Sunday afternoon 1 pasted over 
 ■zen ordnance wagons, filled with ordnance stores ; 
 ces of artillery and caissons ; many ambulances, and 
 ly wagon«, and a df zcn or nriiire mules and horses. 
 .. -catly been a stampede here, and these were the fruits 
 
 1 'irg. T wi-b fo mention the fact, that the fifteenth Ala- 
 res, was with my brigade a porfi"n of the 
 .. Sunday morning, and afterwards left me 
 
IS4 
 
 to go to the assistance of General Johnson in the fight of the after- 
 noon. It is simple justice to say that, what I saw of this re-^iment, 
 it was behaving with great gallantry. 
 
 I am, Major, very regpectfully your obedient servant, 
 
 Z. C. DEAS, 
 Brigadier General commnnding. 
 
 The following statement probably appertains more to the divibion 
 than to the brigade report of this battle, and is therefore reserved for 
 the postscript : 
 
 According to (he strong testamentary evidence of the occasion, and 
 that also of very many prisoners, this brigade, very materially and oppor- 
 tunely assisted by Anderson's, attacked, on Sunday morning Sheridan's 
 divi.-ion, of McCook's corps ; and by the impetuosity of their attack so 
 thoroughly cut off Davis' division, of the same corps, that they never 
 again assisted in the fight on that day, and, from the best information 
 I can gather, fell back to Chattanocga by the western road to Ross- 
 ville. The names of divisions above cited are taken from the state- 
 ments of prisoners. 
 
 This postcript is meant more for information than as a portion of 
 my report. 
 
 1 am Major, very respectfully, vour obedient servant, 
 
 Z. C. DEAS, 
 Brigadier General commanding. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL TATTON ANDERSON. 
 
 Headquarters Axperson's Brigade, Hinpman's DivrsroN, ) 
 
 Polk's Corps, Army of Tennessee, \ 
 
 Misaionary Ridge, near Chattanooga, Tenn,, Oct. 6, 18G3. ) 
 
 Major J. P. Wii.?o.v, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General, Uindmans Division : 
 
 Major : I have the honor to Buhmit the following report of the part 
 taken hy this command in the late battle of Chickara'auga: 
 
 On the evening of the 19th of September, at about five o'clock, P. 
 M , Major General Hindman assumed command of the division on the 
 west bank of the Chickamauga, not long after we had crossed to that 
 side, and while the division was being put in position for the impend- 
 ing battle. I resumed the command of my brigade, which had been 
 relinquished on the 17th. at Lafayette, tieorgia, for the purpose of 
 relieving Major General Hindman. who was too unwell to exercise the 
 command of his division. On taking command of my brigade, I took 
 position in line from two to three hundred yards in rear of Deas' left, 
 and JIanigault's right, as the reserve brigade of Hindman's division. 
 We bivouacked on the field for the night, and received orders to take 
 up and continue the attack ordered to be made on the right at daylight 
 on the morning of the 2()th of September. The attack on our right was 
 not made, however, until between ten and eleven o'clock on the 
 morning of the 2Mth, when it was promptly taken up by Deas and 
 Manigault in my front, and the whole division moved conBilently on 
 the enemy's first line. Deas swept everything before him, without 
 halting, or even checking up. in his advance to and over the enemv's 
 first line of breastworks. ManigauU was checked, and diverged to 
 the left, unmasking my two left regiments. The whole brigade was 
 moved steadily forward, gradually closing the space between it and 
 Deas' line, tintil the ascent of a range of wooded hills was reached, 
 where the enemy, by reason of his advantageous position for both 
 infantry and artillery, had brought Deas momentarily to a stand. 
 Three pieces of his artillery, strongly posted about two-thirds of the 
 ■way op the hill and supported by infantry, were causing Deas' left 
 regiment to waver, when I ordered an "advance. The command wag 
 most gallantly responded to, the artillery captured, the heights carried, 
 and the enemy bo badly routed as to be unable to make any real stand 
 again upon that part of the field. I continued in pursuit, however, 
 for half a mile or more, when, finding my lines imperfect by reason of 
 some being able to follow faster than others, I rode to those in 
 advance and soon succeeded in halting them until the liTie could be 
 perfected. Here Colonel Coltart, of Deas' brigade, with a portion of 
 his fiiftieth Alabama) rf ^ ' 1 another colonel, of some other 
 
 command, whose name 11 n, with a few men, reported to me, 
 
 paving lost their proper c Before the new alignment had 
 
 been coDpIet«d, a etaflf officer from General Hindman recalled me from 
 
12o 
 
 further pursuit, on account of a flank fire which h;i(l been opcne>l by 
 the enemy, with artillery and small arms, on my rear and left regi- 
 jjjpnts — the forty-first and ninth Mississippi, Colonel Tucker and 
 ^^lj■lr Lvnam commanding, respectively. 
 
 After reforming, the command was marched back, by General 
 Ilindman's order, in the direction from which it had advanced, a 
 distance of about a half or three-quarters of a mile, then changed 
 direction to the right over an open field, towards a position whore 
 Kershaw was reported to be heavily pressed. 
 
 My brigade reached this position about three in the afternoon and 
 was ordered to form line on Kershaw's left, to support him in an atta'-k 
 upon a wooded hill in his front, w). ere the enemy was strongly jostid. 
 Iti taking position it was found that the comumnd of Urigaiiier General 
 Bushrod Johnston was in line on the extreme left, with not suffii'ii'nt 
 interval between his right and Ki-r.shaw's left for my whole command. 
 The interval, however, was filled, and the over-plus held in reserve. 
 The attack was soon made by the whole line. It was stubbornly resisted 
 from a very strong position just behind the crest of the hill. A por- 
 tion of two of my regiments gained the crest of the hill and planted 
 co!o"S there, but the position was a hot one, and some breaking to the 
 rear on the left caused the whole to give way for a time. The troops 
 were rallied on the slope of the hill, lines reformed, and all in readi- 
 ness to' resume the attack, when the enemy advanced his line iniine- 
 diatelv in my front, down the hill, with some impetuosity. The line 
 was instantly ordered forward to meet this charge, and the command 
 quickly responded to. The enemy was met by a volley and a charge 
 ■which did much execution, his lin^ broken, and his troops fled in eome 
 confusion, but as there was no ci^rresponding forward moveuiciit by 
 the brigades on ray right and left, and as the hill near the rrc't was 
 very ditiifult to ascend, he had tiruo 'either to reform or to bring up 
 a second line before we reacbrd the top of the hill, and snciher 
 refulse was the consequence. Tioops never rallied more promptly, 
 and without confusion or clamor. On taking position near the foot 
 of the hill it was found necessary to distribute ammunition, and, 
 while this was being done, Colonel Kelly came up wi.h liis 1 :izade, 
 and moved forward to the assault. The seventh Jlississippi, (.uJonel 
 r;-V '• commanding, of my brigade, having some ammuniiior. in the 
 ' r' ;.;/(; bo.xes, was ordered in with Col. Kelly, to strengthen his com- 
 :;;a:.'i n.s much as possible. Soon after, two Florila regiments, under 
 Colonel l- inley, also moved forward to Colonel Kelly's support. It 
 was now nearly ni;:ht, and the importance of completing the diy's 
 work, thus far fo hamlsomely accomplished by the left wing, was 
 afiparent to all. Kelly made a most vigorous attack, supp 'rted bB 
 above, and succeeded in occupying a portion of the heights from which 
 he had driven the enemy. J*ight, at this time, put an end to further 
 purtuit. Every preparation was now made for a renewal of the con* 
 liicl early the next morning. 
 
 At eleven o clock, 1'. Jl., of the 2nth, Major General Hindtnaa 
 Fint for mo and turned over to me the comin:inif of the division, which^ 
 he hud absuuicd the evening previous, having received a cont jsioa 
 
1J7 . 
 
 vhich JisaVilcil him fmm further Bcrvico ^t th:it timo, ansl here my 
 connection with the brigade ceased, the coninianil thereof devolving 
 npon Colonel J. II. Sharp; of the forty-fourth Mifpissippi regiment. 
 The light of the nif^rning of the 21st disclosed tlie fuct that the enemy 
 had, under cover of darkness. h.»stily withdrawn towards Chattanooga, 
 from a field in which he had been eo severely but justly punished. 
 
 In the fir-st charge, after moving up to Genera! Dcas' line, which 
 had been checked near the base of a range of wooded hill.i west of the 
 Chattanooga road, the brigade captured three pieces of artillery, killing 
 many of the cannoneers at their guns, and taking others prisoners. 
 A little further on, and to the left, the forty-first Mi.=«is!-)ppi, my left 
 regiment, captured a battery of five guns, among which were several 
 fine riBed pitces. Several stands of colors were al.io taken during 
 t1;e day. No note was taken of the number of prisoners captured by 
 '■rigade. They were merely ordered to the rear without guard or 
 rt. Nine ordnance wagons, loaded with fixecl smmr.nition, several 
 culea and hor.'cs, etc , etc., were also taken and turned over to the 
 proper officers. 
 
 T cannot close tbis brief recital of facts, connected with the opera- 
 
 '^ of the brigade I had the hrinor to command on the jnth, without 
 
 ifying to ihe officers and, troops my high appreciation of the 
 
 r, courage and skill displayed 'iy them on this memoralde field. 
 
 :hout a single exception, so far as my knowledge at this time 
 
 extends, they have borne themselves gallantly and added fresh laurels 
 
 t" those so nobly won upon the former fields of Shilch, Munfordsville, 
 
 •■yville and Murfrecsboro'. To the regimental, battalion and 
 
 cry coiiimanders, individually, my thanks are due, f r their zeal- 
 
 . vigorous and unrercitling efforts, throughout the whole 'lay to 
 
 e the battle a decisive one. For instances of individu;il gallmitry, 
 
 picuous above others. I refer to the reports of subord.aate com- 
 
 iers, herewith transmitted. 
 
 I he brigade numbered one hundred and fifty-fix officers aiid one 
 
 I'and seven hundred and nine enlisted men on the morning <.f the 
 
 1 ; the loss vas five hundred and fifty-eight, of whom eighty were 
 
 'd,four bundled and fifty-fonr wounded, and twenty-four missing. 
 
 fing the killed I regr< t to record the name of Major John C. 
 
 f.-irty-fourth Mitsissippi regiment. A m-.n of 
 
 n at home, of an age far beyond th«t ) rpt( :"■< 1 by 
 
 . - 1 for involuntary service, at the f.r' • ' war 
 
 he ehi.'itrd in t; f^ r-inks and fought as a private in tl: i^]- 
 
 njont nnd i^i.iloh, having been severely wounded at, t: His 
 
 gallantry and services marked him before the men of his t^tate for 
 promotion, which he soon after received, and commanded hi? regimeat 
 ifith his usual gallantry at the battle cf Murfrecsboro'. On tli- I'.erno- 
 nble field of the <.t,ickamaug»lis devotion to tbe cause of b - c luutry 
 has been sealed with the blood of a patriot. 
 
 I am, Major, very resj ctfully. 
 
 Your ■ '■ ' ' ' ' ■^"■'- ■• ♦ 
 
I 
 
 REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL L. E. TOLK. 
 
 Headquarters Folk's Brig vde, ^ 
 Before Chattanooga, Tennessee, October 111, ISG3 J 
 
 To Captain Irving A. Blck, 
 
 Assistatit Adjutant General CUhiirncs Division : 
 
 Captain: In obedience to orders from division headquarters, I 
 respectfully submit the following report of tlie part taken by ray 
 brigade, composed of the following regiments, from left to right : third 
 and fifth Confederate, commanded by Colonel J. A. Smith ; first 
 Arkansas, Colonel J. \W Colquitt; second Tennessee, commanded by 
 Colonel W. D. Robinson ; forty-eighth Tennessee, commanded by 
 Colonel G. II Nixon; and thirty-fifth Tennessee, commanded by Colo- 
 nel B. J. Hill, and Calvert's battery, commanded by Lieutenant S. J. 
 Key, in the battle of the 19th and 2l)th of September, on Chicka- 
 mauga creek : 
 
 Oa Saturday morning, the 19th of September, my brigade rested 
 in line of battle on the right of Cleburne's division, wlfich formed tho 
 extreme left of the array of Tennessee. About one o'clock, P. M., I 
 received orders to move in the direction of the right of the array. 
 The necessary orders were immediately gi»cn, and my brigade com- 
 menced moving down Chickamauga creek, wading the creek at Tete's 
 fcrd, and, moving on, was placed in position some three hundred yards 
 in rear of Liddell's division, on the extreme right of the army. The 
 other brigades of Cleburne's division following, were placed in position 
 on the prolongation of ray left. In this move, some eight miles, from 
 the left to the right of the army, although e.Npeditiously performed, 
 some hours were taken. About five and a half o'clock, P. M., I 
 received orders from General Cleburne to move my brigade forward, 
 to pass over Liddell's division in our front, and engage and drive the 
 enemy before us. My brigade was immediately moved forward, and, 
 having passed Liildell's division some two hundred yards, encountered 
 the enemy strongly posted on the side of a hill, with temporary breast- 
 works, who immediately opened a destructive fire of grapo, canister 
 and siuiill arms upon the left of my line, which, for a moment, caused 
 a delay in my advance. The right of the brigade overlapping their 
 line, and finding little resistance in their front, wheeled to tho left 
 and took tho enemy on the flank. At tho same time, two batteries of 
 artillery, Semples' and Key's, having been ordered up by General 
 Cleburne between AVood's and my brigade, opened at short range 
 upon the enemy. Their lines gave way, and they fell back in great 
 confusion. We continued to press them till nearly nine o'clock, when, 
 there being some danger of firing into our own men, we were orderc 1 
 to halt and rectify our lines. This ended the contest for the night, 
 most of the fighting having been done since dark. In this engage- 
 ment we drove the enemy seven miles and a quarter, captured over 
 lifty prisoners and three pieces of artillery and same number of cais- 
 
C- ^ /yU C /^{ i r y<2 // ^ ^ '/^ ' 
 
129 
 
 60119. The loss of the brigade, consideririg the ho.ivy musketry, was 
 light, not being over sixty men killed and wounded. We rested in 
 line of battle the remainder of the night, with a strong line of skir- 
 miithcrB thrown sorao four hundred yards in front. 
 
 On Sunday morning, the 2nth, our provision wagons were brought 
 up and the men permitted to cat their breakfast, having been without 
 anything to cat for twenty-four hours. My brigaile was again ordered 
 forward, commencing the move about nine o'clock ; General Breck- 
 inridge having placed his line up^n the prolongation of ray right, with 
 two batteries i,f artillery between the riiihi of my brigade and left of 
 his division; caving to some mistakes I did not receive the order to 
 advance until a few moments after Cieneral Breckinridge's division 
 had been put in motion. Immediately upon the order b'jing received 
 I moved my brigade, obliquing slightly t-o the right, so as to keep 
 my right connected with Goncral Breckinridge's left; the eneitiy's 
 fortifications running off at right angles to the rear of their lino 
 opposite the right of my brigaile, I was not able to recover ray imme- 
 diate connection with his left before I encountered the enemy, strongly 
 posted in a strong line of fortifications, on the crest of a hill ; my 
 line from right to left soon became furiously engaged — the enemy 
 pouring a most destructive fire of canister and musketry into my 
 advancing line, eo terrible, indoed, that my line could not advance in 
 the face of it, but lying down partially, protected by the crest of a 
 hill, wo continued the fight some hour and a half. Wood's brigado 
 not promptly supporting mo upon the left, it was impossible to chirga 
 their breastworks. My ammunition becoiting exhausted, by orders, 
 I fell back some four hundred yards, leaving a line of skirmishers in 
 my front to oppose the advance of the cnctny, until my ammunition 
 could be replenished. The ener.ny wore too much hurt to advance, 
 and were well satisfied to hold th'.ir works. I remained in this posi- 
 :. some hours. In this engagpmcnt my loss was very great, araount- 
 j to some three hundred and fifty killed and wounded. Among the 
 Lumber was Captain W. J. Morris, of third and fifth Confederate 
 TPtriment, a brave and worthy officer. Captain McKnight. of second 
 "^ nnessce regiment, also fell in these engagements in the faithful 
 harge of bis duties. Major Driven, of the second Tennessee, 
 ■ivcdamost piinful and serious wound in the head. Adjutant Green- 
 d, of first Arkansas, one of the best and most gallant officers in 
 army, fell mortally wounded. Here also my inspector general, 
 ytain Hugh S. Otey, a brave and faithful officer, was mortally 
 inded by a cannon ball, from the effect of which he died a few dayg 
 after. My brigade remained here until about four o'clock, P. M , 
 when I was ordered by General Cleburne to advance and take up my 
 -ition npon the left of Brigadier General Jackson. Arriving in 
 •i pos^on, I found General Jackson's line advancing; partially 
 ikutclin^ny brigade to the left, I immediately advanced with Jack- 
 •ons brigade, and again encountered the enemy behind their breast- 
 works, some five hundred yards to the right of where I enjjaged them 
 in the morning. Again I was met by a terrible volley of grape, can- 
 ister and small »rni8, which cansed a temporary halt. Ordtring 
 9 
 
]3i) 
 
 Lieutenant Key to bring up his battery beneath the crest of the ridge, 
 ■where my line of battle was fighting, he replied that his horses could 
 rot live a moment umler such a fire. I then ordered him to bring the 
 pieces by hand, and, assisted by some volunteers from the brigade, 
 Bucceeded in doing so, and opened upon their breastworks with double 
 charges of canister at a distance of less than two hundred yards, 
 observing, at this time, that the enemy's line wavered, I immediately 
 ordered a charge, and, at four and a half o'clock, succeeded in getting 
 possession of their first line of works, taking more than two hundred 
 prisoners, all of them regulars. The enemy fell back in some confu- 
 sion to his second line and again made a stand. About this time 
 some batteries of artillery, which General Cleburne had massed on a 
 hill upon my left, poured so destructive a fire upon the columns coming 
 up to support the troops in the breastworks, that, finding that their 
 supports had been driven back, they gave way and retired in great 
 confusion from their second line of breastworks, and did not stop a 
 moment in their third line. I moved my brigade rapidly forward and 
 pursued them across the Chattanooga road, reaching the road a little 
 before dark. At this time the firing had stopped every where, and the 
 army of Rosencranz was in rapid and disorderly retreat towards 
 Chattanooga. In this engagement my loss, though not as heavy as 
 in the morning, was heavy, losing nearly two hundred men. It was 
 here that Captain Beard, of the third and fifth Confederate regiment, 
 and Captain George Moore, of same regiment, both gallant officers, 
 met their death. Here also Captain N. C. llockersmeth and Lieu- 
 tenant A. J. Petner, of the first Arkansas regiment, were seriously 
 wounded. Many other true and brave men also fell here. 
 
 During the entire fight the men and ofiicers of my brigade acted 
 well. 
 
 Among the oiEcers who were most distinguished at the battle of 
 Chickamauga, I must mention the name of Colonel B. J. Hill, thirty- 
 fifth Tennessee regiment. Upon every field in the west, from Shiloh 
 to Chickamauga, this oiEcer has acted with conspicuous courage and 
 coolness. I earnestly recommend his name for promotion. 
 
 Colonel Smith, of third and fifth Confederate regiment, acted with 
 his usual courage and skill, lie has since been promoted. Promo- 
 tion could not havo fallen upon one more worthy. 
 
 Colonel Robinson, Colonel Colquitt, Colonel Nixon, Lieutenant 
 Colonel Holes, and Major Pearson all deserve well of their country. 
 
 1 respectfully refer you to reports of regimental commanders for 
 other names distinguished for gallantry. 
 
 I here return my thanks to Captain W. H. King, my assistant 
 adjutant general, and Lieutenant Suheil, for efficient service rendered 
 upon the field. 
 
 A full list of the casualties in my brigade has already^en sent 
 forward. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 L. E. POLK, 
 Brigadier Oentral. 
 
 i 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL S. A. M. WOOD 
 
 Headquarters Wood's Brigade, > 
 Missionary Ridge, Tennessee, October 9, 1863. \ 
 
 Captain Buck, A. A. G. : 
 
 Sir : The undersigned aubmits the following report of the part 
 taken by his brigade in the battle of the 19th and 2itth of September, 
 186.}, near Ghiekatnanga river : 
 
 The brigade consisted of the thirty-second and forty-fifth Missis- 
 sippi regiments, commanded by Colonel M. P. Lowry ; the thirty- 
 third Alabama, Colonel Samael Adams; the forty-fifth Alabama, 
 Colonel Brcedlove. and the sixteenth Alabama, Major McGaughey ; 
 also. Major A. T. Hankins' battalion of sharpshooters. Semple's 
 battery is attached to this brigade, but had been, about the time we 
 arrived in the field, directed by orders from the division chief oC 
 artillery. 
 
 At twelve o'clock, on the 19tb, the brigade was in line of battle on 
 the Lafayette and Chattamoga road, near where the left of our army 
 •was engaged with the enemy. Orders were received to march in 
 rear of Brigadier General Polk's brigade. After moving in a north- 
 eastwardly direction for four or five miles, we approached the field 
 near the right of our army and formed in line of battle, after crossing 
 the West Chickamauga creek at a ford, the men wading. Thig 
 delayed our march in order to close up, which was farther delayed by 
 two batteries taking the road. The brigade was formed in line as 
 follows : Right — Hankins, Lowry, Brcedlove, McG.iughey ; Adams, 
 left. Brigadier General Polk was on my right ; Brigadier General 
 Deshler on my left. At this time Major General Cleburne ordered 
 me to move forward, (the guide being upon my brigade,) and, if I met 
 with any batteries, not to delay, but charge and take them. I com- 
 municated this order to each of my colonels. Skirmishers were 
 thrown out three hundred yards in advance. Firing of pickets was 
 all this time going on in our front, and I heard it remarked that a 
 line of our troops were in that direction. The order was nowgiveo 
 to advance. We soon came to a line of our men lying down, which 
 we passed over. In a few minutes our skirmishers were engaged and 
 the line pressed rapidly to the front, passing through a wooded and 
 slightly undulating country, until we reached the field. The lino 
 touched the fence in a slight ravine or hollow, the ground gradually 
 ascending in the field in front. The opening covered nearly the 
 length of my brigade, an 1 was about two or three hundred yards 
 across. The enemy were strongly pofcted in rear of this field, having 
 constrnctel breastworks of rails and logs. They opened fire, as ^iv 
 crossed the fence, with great rapidity. The command moved ap 
 vigorously against a foe aJnost wholly protected from our fire, and 
 who delivered volley after volley into our ranks. When we had 
 reached the farther side of the field, many of the enemy still remained 
 
158 
 
 behind their defences, and shots •were delivered in twenty paces of 
 each other. In crossing this field Colonel Lowry, of the thirty-second 
 Mississippi regiment, greatly distinguished himself by his continued 
 exertions in urging forward his command. The enemy were routed 
 from their defences and driven into the woods. In advancing the 
 brigade to my right had changed direction to the left, which threw its 
 left in front of my right and prevcnted-Colonel Lowry's command and 
 Major Ilankins' sharpshooters from firing. I sent my assistant adju- 
 tant general, Captain Ta liner, to onler them to cease firing ; but, 
 before he anived, Colonel Lowry had anticipated the order by giving 
 it himself. The forty-fifth Alab'ama regiment, next to the right, was 
 now in advance of Colonel Lowry and halted, ceasing to fire at this 
 time, as did also the sixteenth Alabama, the enemy having fallea 
 back. The thirty-third Alabama, being my left in advancing, was 
 pressed upon by the right of Deshlcr's brigade, which 1 strove to pre- 
 vent. The direction of their line being slightly oblique to mine, and 
 it being dark, some little confusion occurred as to the positions of the 
 different commands, which were soon rectified. Skirmishers were 
 ordered out in front of the brigade, and then doybled. We captured 
 ever a hundred prisoners, besides the wounded left on the field, ilost 
 ef them were taken at the log defences, which they said they had 
 been instructed to hold to the last. In no action has this command 
 ever displayed more eagerness to .engage the enemy, or been more 
 successful in their attack. The brunt of the action was on theleft 
 of Polk's brigade and across mine. He alone advanced through an 
 open field and against the defences of logs and rails. Other troops 
 had failed to carry this position during the day, as we heard. The 
 confusion which happened to one of the regiments was the result of 
 some unauthorized person giving a command " to retreat," (see report 
 of sixteenth Alabama regiment,) and that was soon rectified by Major 
 McGaughey. The whole command lay upon their arms during the 
 night, in line of battle. Semple's battery, attached to my brij;ade, 
 was not under my control during this action. I, however, saw it; 
 jilaced in position by the division chief of artillery, and its fire was 
 of the greatest service in routing the enemy and silencing his batte- 
 ries. On the morning of the 2iith, the troops were aroused at early 
 dawn, the line rectified, the skirmishers in front relieved, and every- 
 thing made ready to engage the enemy. Ammunition had been 
 replenished during the night. Shortly after daylight, a day's ration 
 of cooked provisions was brought up and distributed. The morning 
 was cold, and the men were allowed to have small fires and eat their 
 breakfast. At ten o'clock I was notified the line was about to near ' 
 the enemy, and that the movement would commence on my right. I 
 had already heard that it was probable that ray brigade overlapped 
 troops to ffj left not of this division, and that some irregularity 
 existed in the lines as formed. At a few minutes past ten the brigade 
 on my right moved forward, and I moved with it. Its left sooa 
 crowded on my right, when I obliqued to 'Jjo left to give room. In s 
 few moments it made a rapid movement obliquely to the right, leaving 
 ft gap. The brigade was at once ordered to follow this moremcut and 
 
133 
 
 every exertion was made to do so, but we were now under fire of 
 artillery, and had advanced but a short distance when my right was 
 within short range of the enemy's rifles. They were hidden behind 
 logs and timber, covered with bushes. The whole line, to the right, 
 was now at A halt and firing ; this was followed by the right of my 
 brigade. Ilankins' sharpshooters and Colonel Lowry's regiment. The 
 Mnjor General passed me at this moment, and I informed him that 
 my left had passed over some of our troops lying down and were in 
 front of them. The whole front of the brigade to my left was 
 covered by other troops, lie directed me to see to the left of my 
 command, and said that Deshler's brigaile would be taken to the right. 
 The sixteenth and thirty-third Alabama regiments were ordered to lie 
 down on a line with the troops in the front line to my left, who were 
 also lying down. I found Brigadier General Bowen at the right of 
 his line, and told him that the batteries now firing on us would enfi- 
 lade me if I advanced without a corresponding advance to my left. 
 He said he had no orderi to advance, but would send to Major Gene- 
 ral Stewart for orders. Major General Stewart came to that position 
 and having ordered his division forward, I immediately ordered tho 
 forty-fifth Alabama regiment, supporting my battery, up into line 
 with the sixteenth and thirty-third Alabama regiments, and ordered 
 them all forward. About this time the line to the right had fallen 
 back, and the position occupied by Colonel Lowry and Major Hankina 
 ■was taken by Deshler's brigade. The peculiar character of the 
 enemy's works, represented by a diagram annexed, will show that, 
 whilst the right of my command was very near them, an angle was 
 formed in its front and the enemy's line was thrown back so as to 
 give them the cover of woods and compel us to advance through a 
 wide field. My brigade advanced into this field. The thirty-third 
 •\''i''ama, under the lead of its gallant colonel, crossed the field and 
 '"hattanooga road. The fire of the enemy at this point was most 
 ructive, and though this movement was supported by Brown's, 
 Ciayton's and Bate's brigades, it was not long before all had to return, 
 at;d were again assembled and formed at the position from which they 
 ■ advanced. My command, being the right of the lino advancing 
 nst this returned line of the enemy, was subjected to a cross and 
 ' -• fire, which was very severe on all, but especially on the 
 Alabama regiment, which was forced back earlier than the 
 ,,>., and thirty-thirl Alabama and reformed on Colonel Lowry'a 
 iricnt. As soon as the position of these regiments could be ascer- 
 •d, the sixteenth and thirty- third were ordered to take their places 
 in the line, they being six or eight hundred yards in advance on the 
 left. During this movement Semple's battery, under the command of 
 Lieutenant Goldthwaite, followed the brigade and opened effectively 
 on the enemy. In the second advance it was not deemed desirable 
 that the battery should advance with the brigade, the batteries of 
 Other brigades on our left being ordered to remain in position. After 
 reforming our line, a division was moved to our right, (Cheatham's,) 
 »nd I received an order to move up to the support «f Polk's brigade. 
 I formed in lino with it, threw out Bkirmishers, and moved to tb* 
 
134 
 
 riglt a half mile. Our skirmishers were engaged with the enemy 
 until nearly sundown, when, General Polk having advanced and de- 
 siring the support of a regiment. I directed Colonel Lowry to go to 
 bis support. But the enemy had been routed. 
 
 In conclusion, it may be stated that no command conducted itself 
 with more spirit or determination. By sub.?equcnt examination of 
 the field, it was observed that at no point were the enemy's works so 
 Strong as in our front, and the peculiar formation of his lines, which, 
 owing to the heavy timber and undergrowth, could not be ascertained 
 by any effort but an assault, subjected the command to a very de- 
 structive cross and enfilading fire on Sunday. The reports of the 
 colonels and commanders of batteries and battalions will show a list 
 of casualties. The loss, at the time, in the brigade was ninety-six 
 killed on the field and six hundred and eighty wounded. Many have 
 died since, among them four field officers : Major McGaughey, of the 
 sixteenth Alabama regiment ; Major Carr, thirty-second Mississippi ; 
 Major Ilankins, Ilankins' sharpshooters ; Major Gibson, Gibson's 
 battalion, attached to thirty-third Alabama regiment. These officers, 
 of the same rank, were all distinguished by former services on the 
 field of battle. They were all of great merit, and their loss will be 
 long deeply regretted by their commands. For further particulars, 
 reference is made to reports of commanders of regiments and com- 
 panies. 
 
 Very respectfully, vour obedient servant, 
 
 y. A. M. WOOD, 
 Brigadier General. 
 
.RErORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL M. A. STOVALjL. 
 
 Headciuartk*s Stovall8 Brioade, 
 Brfclcinridgc^s IHvision, Hill's Corps, Missionary Ridge 
 October 3, 1&63 
 
 •I 
 
 To Major James WjLf?oN, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 Ma.ior : I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
 part taken by my brigade in the action of Sunday, the 2(ith of Sep- 
 tember, 1863 : 
 
 In obedience to orders from hcadqnnrters Breckinridge's division, 
 of date September 16, 1863, I moved from my position on the Alpine 
 road, near Lafayette, Georgia, on the Catiin"s Gap road, at or near 
 the latter place on the morning cf the 17th. Ilere I remained in 
 position until the morning of the ISth, when I was ordered to proceed 
 on the Crawfish to Chattanooga road. I halted at the intersection of 
 the two latter for about thirty minutes, when I marched to Pigeon 
 ridge, near Glass' mill, (stopping and forming line of battle for a short 
 while, in the meantime.) and afrain went into position. I remained at 
 this place until Saturday, the 19th, when I was again moVed down the 
 Chattanooga road to Snow hill. Skirmishers had scarcely been 
 deployed, aud the proper dispositions made, when I was ordered still 
 further forward in a northeasterly direction to thi battle-fiebl as 
 reinforcements to the right of our line, reported then to be hard 
 pressed by the enemy. This movedid not commence until five o'clock, 
 P. M. ; hence I did not get into position until Sunday, the 2l)ih 
 instant. Saturday night, the 19th instant, we slept on the edge of 
 the battle-field, and moved out into position at four o'clock, A. M., 
 the next (Sunday) morning. We formed a line of battle at sunrise, this 
 division being on the extreme right of the army — ray brigade being 
 in the centre of the division, and between the brigades of Brigadier 
 Generals Adams and Helm respectively. Skirmishers, twenty-five 
 men from each regiment, were immediately deployed, under command 
 of Lieut Col. Badger, of the fourth Floriila regiment. Subsequently, 
 orders were received to advance the line thus deployed, and for a regi- 
 ment to be thrown forward to support them. In obedience thereto, 
 1 ordered Colonel Borden, commanding the fourth Florida regiment, 
 to take out his command as the support required. For the manner in 
 which he manoeuvred it, while in advance, I respectfully refer to the 
 acrompanyiiig report from him. 
 
 Bciwecn nine and ton o'clock, my brigade was ordered to advance. 
 I moved out in good order, parallel to the Chattanooga road, about a 
 half mile, not without first encountering two distinct lines of the 
 enemy's skirmishers and driving them in. Here the brigade was 
 h-ilted and, by a flank movement, formed nearly perpendicular to its 
 former positioB. Thus reformed, I moved forward, and bad not gone 
 far before I encountered the enemy in heavy furce and sirojgl/ 
 
136 
 
 entrcDcLeJ. Here the battle rngeJ fiercely. A concenfrateJ fire of 
 grape and caniiJtcr, shot :ind shell, of every conceivable character, 
 •was poured into us from the front, while my left sutTered no less from 
 an enfilading fire e<)ually galling and severe. Brigadier General 
 Helm's brigade, having encolintercd the enemy's breastworks, vras 
 unalle to keep up the alignment, wi:ich taken with the fact that the 
 reserve ordered to our support failed to como up, and the further f.ict 
 that my left, as ^ell as my front, was thus exposed, the brigade, in 
 fact, the whole line, was forced to retire. The troops of my com-- 
 mand full back simultaneously, forming in perfect order, not exceed- 
 ing two hundred yards in rear of the position for which they had 
 gallantly contested. From this position I was still further retired 
 and placed in position on the extreme right of the division, acting as 
 & support to the command of Major General William II. T. Walker. 
 Here I remained at rest f.r a few hours. During the interval, I had 
 my cartridge boxes all replenished, my command remaining quiet 
 until four o'clock, P. M. About that hour I wis ordered to move my 
 brigade to the extreme right of the line. Again formed nearly par- 
 allel to the Chattanooga road, 'i his latter movement was ordered that 
 we might form part of a support to the brigades of Brigadier 
 Generals Liddell and W althall. They were soon driven in, but were 
 afterwards reformed and thrown forward a second time. Just at this 
 juncture, I was ordered to advance. Changing my direction by a 
 left half wheel, I was brought to the enemy's line. Thus in position, 
 1 commenced the charge. My brigade pressed through two lines of 
 our own troops, passed over the enemy's breastworks, and with deaf- 
 ening shouts of patriotic enthusiasm, pursued the foe to the Chatta- 
 nooga road, where, in obedience to orders, I h^Ued, night putting an 
 end to the conflict. 
 
 I respectfully refer to the accomp.inying st.itement, marked , 
 
 showing the regiment, name, and rank of every officer and soldier 
 killed, wounded, and missing ; also the character of the wounds. 
 
 I am much indebted to Colonel Dilworth, first and third Florida ; 
 Colonel Borden, fourth Florida; Lieutenant Colonel Kay, sixtieth 
 North Carolina, and Captain Coue, forty-seventh Georgia, who led 
 iLoir respective commands with skill and judgflient. Also, to Cap- 
 tain Weaver, who succeeded to the command of the si.vtieth North 
 Carolina after its colonel was disabled. Captain J P. C. Whitehead, 
 my assistant adjutant general ; Lieutenant A. J. Hanson, and Cap- 
 tain J. IL Hall, (who was severely wounded in the shoulder,) dis- 
 played great coolness and daring during the conflict, and to them lam 
 much indebted for valuable services rendered ; also, to Lieutenant A. 
 Dunham, ordnance oflicei', for the promptness manifested in the dis- 
 cbarge of the duties of his responsible office. 
 
 1 Lave the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 M. A. STOVALL, 
 
 Jirigadier General. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL GEORGE MANEY. 
 
 Headqlarters Ma.nf.y's Brigade, ) 
 In the Field, near Chattanooga, Tennessee, Oct. 6, 1863. \ 
 
 Major James D. Porter, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 I respectfully euhniit the following report of the part taken by tny 
 coraiEand in the battle of the 19th and 2()th instants, near Chicka- 
 mauga creek : 
 
 My brigade was composed of the fourth Tennessee regiment, Colo- 
 nel James A. McMurry commanding ; the sixth and ninth Tennessee 
 regiments, (consolidated,) Colonel George C. Porter commanding; 
 the first and twenty- seventh Tennessee regiments, (consolidated,) 
 Colonel ri. R. Field commanding; Mancy's battalion sharpshooters, 
 Major Frank Mancy commanding, and a field battery of four twelve- 
 pounder Kapoleon guns, under the command of First Lieutenant Wm. 
 B. Turner. 
 
 My command crossed Chickamanga creek at Hunt's ford, on the 
 morning of the 19th September, and, after proceeding in a northern 
 direction about two miles by the fl;ink, was fornud in line of battle. 
 I here met General Liddcll's command, which was being reformed, 
 after havirp been, as I tnderstood, severely engaged with superior 
 numbers. Passing forward of this command towards the engagement 
 then pending, and which seemed to have been tnken up by brigades 
 in advance of me, I was, after some inconsiderable halts, ordered to 
 enter action by relieving Jackson's brigide — my information at the 
 time, being, that StrahTs brigade would be in line on my left. The 
 position pointed out to me as the one at which I was to relieve .lack- 
 8on"8 command was a ridge well wooded, where the right half of my 
 command rested, but from the centre to my left, the timber on the 
 side of approach had been newly felled and presented some difficulty 
 to easy pass.ige in line. In extension to my kft, there was an open corn- 
 field — a narrow strip of woodland intervening. My line commenced 
 engaging instantly on reaching the top of the ridge described, and in 
 a few moiuents afterwards I was informed by a messenger from Gen- 
 eral Forrest that there was nothirgon the right but his cavalry, and 
 that he was unable to fcustain himself against the strong force of the 
 enemy which was pressing hira. Strahl's brigade was not at this 
 moment in line with me on the left, it having, as I afterwards learned, 
 become earlier engageil and fallen back to reform. My own line num- 
 bered less than one thousand guns. My battery was just in rear of 
 i:iy centre, but the ground was not favorable to its advant-igeom 
 engagement. About three buiidred yards in my rear there *as a hill- 
 top in open woods — a racist favorable position in many particulars for 
 a battery. Lieutenant Turner was ordered to leave one piece in posi- 
 tion, to be used in a^y emergency which might arise, and rptire the 
 rcmainiDg three to this hilltop, and there take fKjsition and await 
 
138 
 
 further ordfrs. Some moments after this I hearil a battery open in 
 rear of the right of my line, and hastening to it I found that Forrest 
 had been r>rce<i in on my right. General Forrest in person was with 
 the battery, which was firing obliquely to the front and right, and, as 
 I thought, too much in range with two companies of my right regi- 
 ment, which had been thrown out as flankers to this part of my line. 
 General Forrc?t was apprised of this fict and requested to oblique 
 bis guns more to the right, which he did and continued firing, as ho 
 informed me the enemy was certainly approaching in force from that 
 direction. The firing was now constant along my entire front, and 
 the enemy's indicated that his line extended far beyond my left. For- 
 rest's battery was some protection to my riglit flank, and my singlo 
 Napoleon, while it could not fire with any effect over tlie ridge in 
 front, was in position to rake the open field to the left and rear of try 
 line, and to this extent prevented the enemy's coming behind us, unless 
 it should first be driven off by sharpshooters, lodge! on the ridgetop, 
 under cover of the woods between my line and the field. The action 
 increased in fury, especially on the left, and I" was soon convinced 
 that my command was greatly overmatched in numbers. A staff 
 officer was sent with this information to the division General, and 
 another to my left and tear in search of General Stralil, with the 
 request for him to move up in line with me on the left. Tassing 
 myself to the ridgetop to the left of my line, i discovered the enemy 
 but a short distance from my left, advancing by the fluik boldly and 
 evidently with the purpose of pa.=sing through this skirt of wood at 
 right angles with my line, and thus gain my rear and centre of m;^ 
 left flank. The emergency was critical, and, being without a stal 
 ofllcer, I hastened in person to General StrabI, who I fuund had 
 received my message and was aligning for an advance. To avoid' 
 delay, I asked him to move forward a singlo regiment to hold the 
 interval between my left and the open field, and he ordered his right 
 regiment. Colonel Walker's, and perhaps another to advance imme-j 
 diately. This force made a gallant drive forward, and the enemy gavfl 
 way bifore them. I had, about this time, received the order to fal 
 back and form behind Smith's brigade, which was in line with myl 
 guns on the hilltop in the rear. My line was retired in as good order 
 as its shattered condition would admit of Before reaching Smith's 
 line, I was instructed to continue my infantry back to the ordnance 
 wagons, for a supply of ammunition. The ammunition replenished,, 
 my command again moved forw.ird and bivouacked for the night il 
 line with and on the left of the division, without further engageBieaj 
 of my infantry for the day. 
 
 My advanced gun, under the immediate command and efficient taani 
 agement of First Lieutenant Smith, after covering the retiring lial 
 with .'everal well-directed shots at short-range, was withdrawn to th^ 
 hilltop and took position with the other three — the bittory, by orde^ 
 of the division General, being retained there with the line formed 
 check the enemy's advance. The service it here rendered in check* 
 ing and driving back the enemy's advancing line did not occur undet 
 my immediate eye, but is reported as brillianl and decisive. Thj 
 
139 
 
 enemy, pressing forward on wh;it he deemeil our yielding lines, ■was 
 met by shot and shell, and then double charges of canister belched 
 in quick succession from four as good guns and. in my judgment, 
 as gallantly and efficiently mmned and scrred as any our service 
 can boast. Three times his lines wore broken and shattered before 
 their deadly discharges, and finally he aband ined, in disordered rout, 
 all efforts to capture them. The excellent comluct of Lieutenant 
 Turner and his gallant officers and men on this occasion was hut a 
 repetition of their services on the fields of I'erryville and Mur- 
 freesboro". 
 
 The active engagement of ray command on Saturday wan about 
 three-quarters of an hour in duration and extremely severe. Besides 
 being opposed on all parts by largely superior numbers, two of the 
 enemy's batteries were actively served against it obliquely from the 
 right and left, and ranging principally from the centre to the kft of 
 my lines. The losa in this engagement was heavy, including some of 
 the most valuable officers of my commmd. Colonel Mc.Murry, a 
 gentleman of the noblest qualities and an officer of fine abilities an 1 
 great gallantry, received a wound in the thickest of the fight, from 
 which he has since died, and Lieutenant Colonel Lewis and Mijor 
 Bralshaw, of the same regiment, both officers of great merit, were, in 
 quick succession, severely wounded in the gallant discharge of their 
 duties. 
 
 In Turner's battery the loss of officers was two of the four — First 
 Lieutenant Smith peverely wounded and Second Lieutenant Ingraham 
 killed. Both these officers displayed great gallantry. While the 
 lichavior of my entire line was of a character so entirely satisfactory 
 and commendable as to forbid the claim of superiority in conduct of 
 any one part over another, the extreme left, held by the sixth 
 and ninth regiments, (consolidated,) was most exposed, and the 
 chances of the day demanded of this veteran command a bloody 
 sacrifice. It is but a just tribute to say the demand was met by them 
 as became heroes in many battles. Their loss in killed and wounded 
 was over half their number engaged, including among the latter Major 
 Wilder and many other officers of excellent merit. 
 
 On Sunday, the 2nth, my command remained in line of battle, with 
 the other brigades of the division, where it had bivouacked the nifiht 
 before, some half a mile to the left of the position of my previous 
 day's engagement, until about two o'clock, P. M., when I was ordered 
 to move by the right flank about the distance of a mile, when I was 
 halted for a considerable time, receiving, in this position, some shell- 
 ing, but sustaining but small loss. Late in the afternoon I was 
 ordered into line with other biigades of the division for a gBneral 
 movement, as I understood, against the enemy's main position near 
 the Chattanooga road. There was at this time sharp firing obliquely 
 to my front and left, and about the time I was in line Brigadier 
 General Polk, of Cleburne's division, came up, asking for assistance, 
 and stating that his command had gained a portion of the enemy's 
 breaslwgrks, but wag engaged in front without support on either flank, 
 adding that if I would advance it would relieve him. I did act feel 
 
HO 
 
 at liberty to detach myself without instructions from my division 
 commander, but at this moment discovering General Cheatham a short 
 distance to my right, I proceeded to him immediately and gave him 
 the information just received from General Polk, when I was ordered to 
 go to Lis assistance. On my return General I'olk wn.s not present to 
 advise me of the precise position of his command, he having, I suppose, 
 in the meantime rejoined it ; but remeioberinc his remark, that I would 
 relieve him by advancing. I moved directly forward. This movement 
 brought me into action, I think, some two or three hundred yards to 
 bis right. The order to advance was received by ray entire line with 
 an enthusiasm plainly telling that their valor was more stimulated 
 than abated by their severe suffering of the previous day. My line 
 was soon engaged, but the force in front yielded and were driven 
 rapidly back. A fire was, however, opened on my left flank, but the 
 giving way of the enemy in front and the continued rapid advance of 
 my line caused this to cease and the enemy delivering it quickly aban- 
 doned his position on my left under the impression, as prisoners stated 
 to me, that our movement would g.^in his rear. As soon as the firing 
 ceased I c(mmenced reforming my line, which had become consider- 
 ably disordered by its rapid movement through thick woods and undcr- 
 grovith. Before this was done I was joined by Wright's brigade, 
 which came forward after me. It was now some time after sunset, 
 and almost entirely dark in the thick woods. Skirmishers and small 
 parties thrown forward for observation reported no enemy in front 
 between me and the Chattanooga road. General Breckinridge's 
 entire command came from towards my right, passing in rear of and 
 almost at right angles with my line. Under these circumstances, 
 and to avoid the danger of collision with our own troops in the dark- 
 ness, I sent a staff utHcer to advise the division general of the result 
 of my movement, with the information that I had halted for further 
 orders. My staf^' ofTicer returned, reporting that he did not find 
 General Cheatham, but had delivered my report to Lieutenant General 
 Polk, who directed that 1 should remain where I was. I then 
 bivouacked for the night in the enemy's breastworks, where, I under- 
 stood, had been the main position of Thomas' corps. My loss in this 
 engagement was light compared with that of the previous day. 
 
 On Monday, at two o'clock, P. M., the enemy having abandoned 
 the field and, during the preceding night, withdrawn to Chatta- 
 nooga, our march commenced toward that point. We bivouacked for 
 the night on Chickamauga creek, about milos from the battle- 
 field. 
 
 Early Tuesday morning we resumed the march, gaining the road 
 leading from Chickamauga station to Chattanooga, about one mile 
 and a half east of Jlissionary ridge. Advancing by this road, it was 
 ascertained the enemy occupied the ridge, and, after a short halt, for 
 the purpose of reconnoitering, my brigade, being in front, was ordered 
 b^' Major General Cheatham to drive them from and take possession 
 of tho ridge. My line was formed on the right of the road and 
 properly sustained with skirmishers. With these dispositions my 
 command was advanced to tho attack, and after a spirited engagement 
 
141 
 
 of a few moments the enemy was driven, and the ridge top was in onr 
 possession. My loss in this aff^iir was eighteen killed ami wounded. 
 
 Through all the trials and dangers incident to their part in this 
 memorable battle, the conduct of my command was such as might 
 have been expected of intelligent and patriotic veterans. Their ranks 
 bad been thinned on many other fields, yet all were eager here to 
 strike for the right as though there was no death, no suffering before 
 them, hut only their cause to serve. 
 
 I feel it proper, in addition to those whose good conduct has been 
 mentioned in connection with their wounds, to exproFs my thanks to 
 Colonels Porter and F'ield, commanding regiments, and their associate 
 field officers. Lieutenant Colonel Buford, Lieutemnt Colonel House 
 and Major Allen, for their zealous and efficient aid throughout the 
 engagement. Also to Major Maney, commanding battalion of sharp- 
 shooters, and Captain Bostick, of the seventh Tennessee regiment, 
 who commanded the regiment with gallantry and ability after the fall 
 of all its field officers. Lieutenant Turner, commanding batte^, 
 deserves especial notice for the effective and decisive manner in which 
 his battery was commanded and served. I also mention Lieutenant 
 Henry, of the battery, for his gallant and efficient conduct. My staff, 
 Captain Porter, assistant adjutant general; Lieutenant House, aid- 
 de-camp, and Lieutenant Ruble, assistant adjutant and inspector gen- 
 eral, have ray thanks for their courage and great assistance throughout 
 the engagement. Private William Whitthornc, for the time disabled 
 by a wound received in a former action, from carrying his musket, 
 tendered his services, and I must commend his intelligence and gal- 
 lantry in conveying my orders to different parts of the field. 
 
 Lists of casualties in my command have been furnished. Reports of 
 battalion commanders herewith filed are referred to for particulars 
 and for instances of gallantry in their commands. 
 Very respectful! v, 
 
 GEORGE MANEY, 
 Brigadier General commandivg. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL 0. F. STRAHL. 
 
 Headquarters Stbaiil's Brigade, ) 
 Missionary Ridge, September 3t), 1S63. J 
 
 Major James D. Porter, Jr., 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General Cheathani's Division : 
 
 Fir: On the morning of the 19th instant, my brigade, composed 
 of the fourtli and fifth, nineteenth, twenty-fourth, thirtv-first and 
 thirty-third Tennessee regiments, and Captain Stanford's rifio battery, 
 moved by the right flank, in compliance with orders from division 
 headquarters, and crossed Chickamauga creek about three miles below 
 Lee & Gordon's mill. From this point, and about the middle of the 
 day, we moved rapidly to the right about two miles, where we halted 
 and formed in line of battle immediately on the left of General- 
 Maney's brigade. About one o'clock, P. M., I received an order from 
 General Cheatham to move forward, which I did, and took a position 
 immediately in rear of General Smith's brigade, which was at that 
 time hotly engaged with the enemy, and some two hundred yards in 
 front of the position I had taken. 
 
 Shortly after taking this position. General Smith sent me word 
 that he was about to be driven back and wished me to come to his 
 support, which I did at once, moving forward over his line to a small 
 elevation some two hundred and fifty yards in his front, entirely 
 relieving him, and engaging the enemy. In a short time after thus 
 engaging the enemy. General Smith rode up to me and told me that 
 my li'ft flank was still in rear of General Wright, and that my right 
 fl^uk was not supported by any one, and that I was in a position to 
 be flanked by the enemy on my right unless I immediately moved in 
 that direction. Discovering, however, that General Wright had 
 retired, and that none of our troojis were in my front, and knowing 
 the great danger of attempting a flank movement in the presence and 
 under the fire of an enemy, and expecting General Maney to come up 
 on my right, I did not move in that direction until General Smith 
 rode up to mo a second time and told me that General Cheatham 
 directed that I should close the gap between myself and General 
 Jackson by moving to the right. I then concluded that General 
 Maney had been ordered elsewhere, and I, theref6re, immediately 
 gave orders to move to the right, but had hardly commenced the 
 movement before the enemy met the front of my column with a mur- 
 derous and destructive fire, enfilading nearly the whole of my line, 
 and moving in such a direction as soon to be in the rear of my right, 
 if I attempted to hold the position I then Lad. 
 
14S 
 
 The position of the two lines were about as is shown by the follow- 
 ing diagram : • 
 
 Mrbrl Line. 
 StTahVs liripade. 
 
 Therefore, not knowing whether I was to receive support on my 
 right, and having no time for delay, I immediately gave orders for my 
 line to retire, and at once moved back to a position where I hoped to 
 be able to prevent the enemy from flanking rae. I gained this posi- 
 tion with my left in good order, ray right being thrown into confusion 
 by the heavy fire they were receiving, both from the front and on their 
 flank. The officers, however, all acted with great gallantry and cool- 
 ness, and immediately rallied their men as soon as they arrived at posi- 
 tions where they could do so and not be in immediate danger of being 
 flanked. In this movement we were compelled to leave most of our 
 men killed and wounded on the field, some of which fell into the hands 
 of the enemy. Our loss whilst placed in this unfortunate position 
 was near two hundred, and among that number some rerj valuable 
 and gallant officers. 
 
 Most of the field officers on my right were dismounted by having 
 their horses shot from under them, and Major Heiskell, of the nine- 
 teenth Tennessee regiment, a very gallant officer, was severely 
 wounded in the foot. 
 
 During this short encounter with the enemy the nineteenth Ten- 
 nessee regiment was on my right, and was therefore much more 
 exposed, and consequently met with a much heavier loss than any 
 other in the brigade. But its field officers. Colonel F. M. Walker and 
 Lieutenant Colonel B. F. Moore, acted with such coolness and gal- 
 lantry that they inspired their men with courage and confidence, and 
 prevented that demoralization which might have been expected under 
 inch trying circumstances. 
 
 It was now, while engaged in reforming my line, that General 
 
 ii^y came up and pressed the enemy hack for some distance on my 
 
 t, and soon became hotly engaged. As soon as my line was 
 
 rmed I moved forward to bis support, and arrived on a line with 
 
 icft just in time to meet the enemy, who were aclvancing rapidly 
 
 . pressing his line back. My three regiments, the nineteenth, 
 
 •y-first and thirty-third, were thrown forward in advance of the 
 
 • of my brigade and took possession of a sniall skirt of woods, 
 
 V ,.rh they held until the line on their right had fallen back so far 
 
 :'• if they were again exposed to a icvere enfilading fire, when I 
 
 I in ordered them to retire to the position where they had first ral- 
 
 i. in order to prevent th« enemy from swinging around my right 
 
 1 thus getting in my rear. Then I reformed my whole line, but 
 
] 14 
 
 learning that General Smith's hiigade was in line jnst on my right 
 and hut ft short distance in mj rear, and being without support on 
 cither flrink. I deemed it advisable to move back and form on him, 
 which I did, and remained in this position until dark. 
 
 While in this position, my battery, commanded by Captain T. P. 
 Stanford, for the first time opened upon the enemy and shelled them 
 for a short time, but with what effect I could not tell. The ground 
 over which we had been fighting during the afternoon was of such a 
 nature that it would uot admit of the use of artillery, and especially 
 cf a rifle battery ; therefore, I was compelled to meet every advance 
 of the enemy with my infantry alone, although their batteries were 
 playing on me the whole time, and from positions that made their firo 
 very cflective. My battery, however, was at all times immediately in 
 my rear, and ready, at a moment's notice, to go into position had an 
 opportunity offered where it could have been used with eflect. 
 
 About dark General Deshler's brigade, which was then in my rear, 
 was ordered to the front, and moved forward in such a manner as to 
 cover my right. In a short time after he had passed me, going to the 
 front, I was ordered to follow, and did so, continuing to advance until 
 I came up with his line, which was an old field, and near where wo 
 had been engaged during the afternoon. Here we bivouacked for the 
 night in line of battle. . 
 
 During the night our infirmary corps brought off many of our 
 killed and wounded that we had left on the field. 
 
 The ne.xt morning we were held in this position until noon or later, 
 when we moved by the right flank to the extreme right of the army, 
 and was then moved forward and placed in position immediately in 
 rear of General Liddell's command, and there remained until the 
 morning of the 21st, wlicn I formed on tlie right of General Liddell 
 and sent forward skinnishers some two miles and a half, but without 
 discovering an enemy, save some few stragglers, who surrendered 
 without making any resistance. 
 
 During the whole engagement my command was almost continually 
 •within range of the enemy's cannon, and, at times, suffered severely 
 from it. 
 
 My ordnance officer. Lieutenant Winston, during and after the 
 engagement, collected and hauled from the field one thousand stand of 
 small arms. 
 
 Several small squads of prisoners were taken by my men and sent 
 to the rear, but without any account of their number. 
 
 The company and field officers, as a general thing, conducted 
 themselves with great gallantry and coolness, and discharged their 
 duties in such a manner as to reflect much credit upon themselves 
 and their commands. The privates in the ranks, as usual, displayed 
 that noble courage for which Southern soldiers have ever been distin- 
 guished. 
 
 My staff officers. Captain J. W. Johnson, A. A. G., and Lieutenant 
 John S. Chapman, A. A. I. G., rendered me very efficient service on 
 the field and during the whole engagement manifested a zeal and 
 energy in the discharge of their duties that was truly commendable. 
 
M5 
 
 I have already forwarded to you a list of the casualties of this 
 brigade, showing the name, rank and command of the officers and men 
 killed, wounded and missing during the engagement. That report 
 shows our loss in killed to be nineteen ; wounded, two hundred and 
 three, and missing, twenty-eight — making the whole loss sustained 
 by the brigade two hundred and fifty, officers and men. 
 
 Some of the missing have since been heard of as wounded and in 
 the bands of the enemy. Many of the wounded men were but slightly 
 injured, and will soon be able to join their comrades. But there are 
 many noble spirits who will never return ; and while we have to mourn 
 the loss of our gallant dead, and sympathize with those who are suffer- 
 ing from their wounds, yet we cannot but rejoice that the tide of 
 invasion has, for once, been hurled back, aud that the faces of our 
 gallant and victorious soldiers are now turned towards their bomei, 
 and that a new and unconquerable spirit has been aroused throughoat 
 our whole army. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 0. F. STRAIIL, 
 BtigaditT Gintral. 
 
 10 
 
KEPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL M. J. WRIGHT. 
 
 Headquarters Wright's Brigade, Cheatham's Division, \ 
 
 Folk's Corps, Army of Tennessee, ^ 
 
 In the Field, October 9, 1803. ) 
 
 Major James D. Porter, 
 
 jissista7ii ji(]julant Geniral C/uatham's Diviiion: 
 
 Major: I have the honor to make the following report of tiie ope- 
 ritions of my brigade in the battle of Chickauiauga, on the 1 9th and 
 20th ultimo : 
 
 On Saturday, 19th ultimo, at half-past eight o'clock, A. M., I wag 
 ordeied by Major General Cheatham to advance and. cross the Chick- 
 
 amauga at a ford known as ford, following immcdiatcl}' after 
 
 Brigadier Gercral Preston Smith's brigade, and followed by Briga- 
 dier General George Maney's brigade. Immediately after we crossed 
 the ford heavy firing commenced in our front, which was ascertained 
 to be an engagement between the reserve division of Major General 
 Walker and the enemy, who was in heavy force and was pressing 
 Walker hotly with bis largely superior numbers. My briga'le, after 
 crossing, was formed in line of battle in a field, in the rear of Briga- 
 dier General Smith. I was ordered to follow immediately in the rear 
 of Smith when he movetl. In an hour Smith moved in the direction 
 of the battle-field, anil we followed closely in his rear. After moving 
 into a wood in a direction inclining down the Chickamauga, another 
 halt was made of half an hour, when I received an order from Gene- 
 ral Cheatham to form in line of battle and move forward in a direction 
 nearly at right angles to tho road along which wo -were pOsted, with 
 that brave and accomplished officer. General Preston Smith, still on 
 my light Mancy being in mj rear in tho line of march, I supposed 
 that he would be ordered up to the left. Indeed, in thsact of execu- 
 ting the forward movement in line of battle, I was informed by Gen- 
 eral Smith that we were a supporting force to Major General Walker, 
 who was supposed to be in our front. 
 
 My brigade is composed of the following regiments, which moved 
 in line, flora right to left, in the order named: sixteenth Tennessee 
 regiment, Colonel D. JI. Donnell, commanding; eighth Tennessee 
 regiment, Colonel John II. Anderson commanding ; fifty-first and 
 fifty-second Tennessee regiments, Lieutenant Colonel John G. Ilali 
 commanding ; twenty-eighth Tennessee regiment. Colonel S. S. 
 Stanton commanding ; thirty-eighth Tennessee regiment and Mur- 
 ray's Tennessee battalion. Colonel John C. Carter commanding, with 
 the b&ttcry of light artillery commanded by Captain Wm. W. Carnes. 
 The men moved up in splendid style, obeying all orders with the 
 alacrity and precision which is their habit on parade. With the infor- 
 mation I had received, believing Major General Walker in our front, 
 I had directed each regiment to throw out skirmishers, and thus 
 guard against the too lrc<^ueat and often criminal folly of pouring a 
 
,-^ •^^r . r ,/Z^. ry 
 
i 
 
117 
 
 fire into the rear of oar own comrades in arms when engaged against 
 a foe in front. This order I immediately countermanded when it 
 became quite evident that a most galling fire had been opened by the 
 enemy's ^Uteries and infantry upon my right (lank and a portion of 
 the centre. This fire continued for some minutes before the left flank 
 was engaged, and was the result of my line of battle being advanced 
 oblifjucly towards the right, instead of being parallel to the enemy's 
 line. It was certainly due also somewhat to the fact that the six- 
 tc?nth and eighth Tennessee regiment.', extending their line into a 
 corn-field in open view of the enemy, whose position was concealed 
 by timber and undergrowth, were compelled to advance into the wood 
 in front, thus finding a better and more secure position, and some 
 cover for their men from the murderous fire which they were gallantly 
 sustaining. 
 
 The centre and left, however, soon became earnestly engaged. 
 Having no eligible position for artillery near the centre, I was com- 
 pelled to post Carnes' battery (Steuben artillerj) on the left of the 
 thirty-eighth Tennessee regiment, being the extreme left of my posi- 
 tion ; supposing, too, at that time, that I would be supported on th» 
 left by the brigades both of Brigadier General Maney and Brigadier 
 General Strahl. My position was near the foot of a declivity, gently, 
 rising towards the left and presenting on' that flank the highest 
 ground on our line, and therefore the best position for artillery ; 
 while that of the enemy was on an eminence rising from the drain or 
 low ground just in our front, many feet above ours, and protected by 
 works probably thrown up the previous night. 
 
 Immediately after the enemy's fire was opened, I despatched tho 
 order to commence firing to each of the commanding ofBcers of regi- 
 ments, which was executed promptly and with coolness and precision. 
 I have reason to believe that the effect of our tiring upon the enemy 
 was terrific, from the report of a wounded officer, who fell into the 
 hands of the enemy and subsequently escaped, and from a careful 
 survey of the battle-ground by some of the men after the action. 
 
 The enemy opened upon us a cross fire of two batteries and a concen- 
 trated shower of musket shot from a greatly superior force, their line 
 exteniing the full length of a brigade beyonil my unsupported left. 
 Our men met the terrible fire which was hurled upon them with con- 
 ttancy, coolness, and undaunted courage, bearing the shock like vete- 
 rans, and not perceptibly wavering beneath its severity, and return- 
 ing shot for shot as far as their inferiority of numbers would allow. 
 
 After sustaining this fire for three hours and a half — from twelre, 
 M.jto three and a half, P. M., — seeing that Brigadier (jeneral Smiib, 
 immediately on my right, had withdrawn from the field, and learning 
 from some of my officers that their ammunition was nearly exhausted, 
 I determined to order the brigade to retire. Before, however, I could 
 i:\re orders to execute this movement, a courier informed me that the 
 onemy was flanking my position, which, upon moving in that direc- 
 tion, I distinctly discovered, seeing hislins noving through the ravine 
 lod undorgrowih upon the left flank. I then d^^ipatehed orders to th» 
 colonels and comoMader of the ba..tery to withdraw to a Lill aboal a 
 
U8 
 
 qnarter of a mile in the rear. Discovering at this oppoitnne Dioment 
 a supporting brigade approaching in line of battle, and not being able 
 to move rapidlj enough to communicate with the General command- 
 ing (Brigadier General Clayton) in consequence of my Utiug dis- 
 mounted, I requested the Colonel commanding the leading regiment 
 to move to my left and protect the men in retiring, which he did 
 promptly and efficiently. At the same time I informed him that the 
 enemy was flanking our position. 
 
 Each of the regiments was withdrawn slowly and in good order. 
 Although all the horses of the battery, except three, were killed, and 
 about one-half cf the company shot down, either killed or wounded, 
 thus rendering the battery useless to check the advance of the enemy's 
 flanking force. Captain Carnes, First Lieutenant Marshall and Second 
 Lieutenant Cockrill, of the artillery, remained with the battery until 
 they received orders to retire, narrowly escaping capture, and gal- 
 lantly standing at their posts until the last moment. Second Lieu- 
 tenant Van Vleck gallantly died at his post 
 
 After retiring from the field I at once despatched a staff officer to 
 Major General Cheatham, advising him of the position of the 
 brigade and informing him of the fact that our ammunition was 
 nearly exhausted, which was promptly supplied. 
 
 After five o'clock, P. M., the brigade was again ordered to take 
 position about four hundred yards to the right of the ground on which 
 we had fought the enemy. Major General Cleburne's division and 
 Smith's brigade, of Major General Cheatham's division, at about six 
 o'clock, P. M., on our immediate right, made a most gallant and suc- 
 cessful movement upon the enemy's position, but my brigade was not 
 ordered to participate in the glorious charge which cost the lives of 
 many brave patriots, and among them the heroic General Preston 
 Smith. , 
 
 Having bivouacked at this position on Saturday night, on Sunday 
 morning a line of battle was again formed and held steadily for three 
 hours under a most harassing fire from the enemy's batteries. One 
 man of the sixteenth Tennessee regiment was severely wounded by a 
 round shot. About one o'clock, P. M., I was ordered to move the 
 brigade around to the right of our position, following Maney in moving 
 by the right flank. About six o'clock, P. M., Maney being on our 
 left, I was ordered to follow his movements in line of battle. Major 
 General Walker's division and Brigadier General Jackson's brigade, 
 of Cheatham's division, were already engaged fiercely in assaulting a 
 fortified position of the enemy, at which a very largo force of his 
 artillery had been concentrated. A furious contest was raging, with 
 wild and terrible carnage. Though the gallant troops of Walter and 
 Jackson held their position with unsurpassed stubbornness and hero- 
 ism, yet the enemy, encouraged by the strength, natural and artificial, 
 of his position, and his concentrated forces, was making a most stub- 
 born fight. At this critical moment the two brigades (General 
 Maney's and my own) wore precipitated, with a deafening hur- 
 rah and a rapid shock, to support our gallant comrades, who were con- 
 tending against anequal odds. The men were io the highest spirits, 
 
149 
 
 and moved forward with an animation that I have never seen eur- 
 pasced. At this time the scene was one of the most animated and 
 exciting that can he imagined. The whole issue of the combat seemed 
 suspended upon a moment's work. The shouts of our gallant patriotB 
 presaged success, and every eye was lighted with victory. It came 
 at that propitious moment. Tbe enemy, already daunted hy the fierce 
 ordeal through which they had pa.ssed from the guns of Walker and 
 Jackson, could no longer bear the trial when the cheers of our rein- 
 forcing battalions were wafted to them on the evening breeze. They 
 broke in hopeless confusion and rout, precipitately fled before our 
 pursuing columns, leaving their dead and wounded behind them and 
 several pieces of thejr artillery. Although my brigade did not reach 
 the position in time to fire but a very few guns from the thirty-eighth 
 Tennessee regiment, yet it is a source of heartfelt satisfaction that 
 the cheers of the men and their impetuous charge assisted in striking 
 terror into the heart of the foe and in hastening his inglorious flight. 
 In this engagement and that of Saturday, the brigade captured 
 seventy-one prisoners, including a captain and t-;vo lieutenants. The 
 loss in the brigade was forty-four killed on the field, forty three mis- 
 sing, (most of whom are known to be, and the others are supposed to 
 be, in the hands of the enemy.) and four hundred wounded. 
 
 Among the killed I regret to mention Captain Parks, sixteenth 
 Tennessee regiment ; Lieutenant Ilainey, Murray's battalion, attached 
 to the thirty-eighth Tennessee regiment ; Lieutenant Wade and Color- 
 bearer Bland, of the fifty-first anl fifty- second Tennessee regiments; 
 Captain Whaley and Lieutenant Craig, of the twenty-eighth Tennes- 
 see regiment, and Lieutenant Van Vleck, Carncs' battery. Among 
 the wounded were Colonels John II. Anderson and D. M. Donnell, 
 Lieutenant Colonel J. G. Hall, and Major T. G. Randle ; Captains 
 Puryear, Callom, and Bonds, and Lieutenants Cunningham, Leonard, 
 Flynn and Shaw, eighth Tennessee regiment; Lieutenants Potter, 
 Owen and Worthington, sixteenth Tennessee regiment ; Captain 
 McDonald, and Lieutenants Apple, Dauley and Taylor, twenty-eighth 
 Tennessee regiment; Adjutant Caruthers, Lieutenants Banks and 
 Ridout, thirty-eighth Tennessee regiment, and Captain Burton, Lieu- 
 tenants Billings, Chester, White, Ilainey, Tillman and Wade, fifty- 
 first and fifty-second Tennessee regiments. All the field officers of the 
 brigade, and the officers of the battery, acted with such distinguished 
 gallantry that I feel it would be invidious to make a distinction. 
 Company officers and men, wrth very inconsiderable exceptions that 
 .have come to my knowledge, bore themselves with a gallantry and 
 •tcadincsB becoming patriots contending for freedom and all that hon- 
 orable men hold dear. 
 
 I am indebted for valuable assistance during the engagement to mj 
 stair officers. Captain Leon Trousdale, assistant adjutant general, 
 Captain E. F. Lee, assistant inspector general, my aids-de-carap. 
 Lieutenant £. T. Harris, and Lieutenant Sidney Womack, and Mr. 
 Charles T. Smith. They each discharged their r.nties with fidelity 
 and teal. One of my couriers, Mr. William 9. IIill, won the com- 
 mendation of all and my warm (banks, for bia gallantry and alacrity 
 
150 
 
 in the discharge of his perilous duties. Brigadier General W. C. 
 Wbitthorne, adjutant general of Tennessee, volunteered to act as aid- 
 de-camp on the first day's march from Chattanooga, and discharged 
 the various duties that I assigned to him with a promptness, courage 
 and ability which merit and receive my warmest thanks. On the 
 field General Whitthorne conducted himself with conspicuous gal- 
 lantry. The infirmary corps discharged their duties with such fear- 
 leBsnossand fidelity as to attract my special observation. The provost 
 guard also, under their worthy and gallant provost marshal, Lieuten- 
 ant Richardson, fully fulfilled the standard of their duties. They lost 
 one killed and two wounded in the engagement of Saturday. 
 
 I unite with all true patriots of our country in returning thanks to 
 Almighty God, without whose assistaace our strength is weakness, for 
 the substantial vifitory with which he has crowned our efforts. 
 
 I herewith transmit the reports of the regimental commanders of 
 the brigade, to which your especial attention is respectfully invoked. 
 
 I regret I cannot accompany them with the report of Captain Carnes, 
 commanding battery, whose absence on business connected with hi^ 
 battery necessarily delays its preparation. 
 
 I have tho honor to be, Major, very respectfully. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 MARCUS J. WRIGHT} 
 
 Brigadier General. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL J. K JACKSON. 
 
 IlKiDQUARTERS JaCKSOn's BrIGADE, ChEATHAM's DIVISION, J 
 
 Polk's Corps, Army of Ttnncssee, > 
 Before Chattanooga, October 3, 1863. ) 
 
 Major JoiiN I.vcram, 
 
 A A. G. Cheatharris Divinon, Folk's Corps, A. T. : 
 
 Major: On the I9th September, 1863, at about seven o'clock in 
 the morning, the brigsile wliich I have the honor to comman'l. being 
 the advance of Major General Cheatham's division, crossed Chicka- 
 manpa creek at Hunt's or Dalton's ford, about a mile below Lee & 
 Gordon's mill The brigrido wns imracdialelj deployed in line of 
 battle on the west side of the creek, and awaited the crossing bj the 
 lemainder of tf e division. 
 
 At about nine o'clock, A. M., moved hx the flank in a northwestern 
 direction and formed line in the rear rf Major General Buckner's 
 right, as his reserve. Remained in this position about an hour, when 
 an order was rereivcd to move still further to the light to the support 
 of Major General Walker. Passing rapidly about iulf a mile north- 
 ward by the right flink, the brigade reached the road leading from 
 Alexander's bridge, and proceeded thence westward about half a mile. 
 Here the line of .Major General Walker's troops was reached. My 
 brigade was immediately placed in line of battle and ordered to 
 tdvance. The order was promptly and cheerfully obeyed, and the 
 advance continued about one hundred and fifty yards, when the enemy 
 opened fire upon ray left and centre. The brigade returned the fire, 
 which so^n became general. A charge being ordered, the troops 
 responded with great intrepidity, driving the enemy before thera from 
 a half to three-quarters of a mile, capturing three pieces of artillery, 
 which were immediately sent to the rear ; also, a large number of 
 knapsacks, from which the enemy had been driven. 
 
 At this point the enemy, being heavily reinforced and having the 
 advantage of breastworks, checked the advance of the brigade and 
 Btubbornly held their ground. 
 
 Seeing troops on the left retiring. I sent to enfjuire the meaning of 
 it, and was informed that it was part of Brigadier General Preston 
 Smith's brigafle, which bail been pressed back by superior numbers, 
 thus leaving ray left flank entirely exposed. Soon after ray left fell 
 back, under the false impresxion that a retreat had been ordered, but 
 were immediately rallied and reformed, and promj'tly retook their 
 original position. Learning th«t the enemy were ende ivoring to turn 
 my right, which wag not protected by any infantry force, and the left 
 being exposed and nearly ont of ammunition, I sent a "taff oflicer to 
 request IJrigadier General Maney, whoce brigade was in reserve, to 
 corae to my relief. The contest bad now lasted for about two hours, 
 and bad been unasnally severe. My battery, commanded by Captain 
 
152 
 
 John Scopin, had moved up with the line and tlone good service 
 Brigadier General Manej's brigade moved forward gallantly, and, 
 upon being relieved by him, 1 ordered my brigade to retire, which 
 was done slowly and in good order. 
 
 While moving to the rear the horses of one piece and one caisson 
 were disabled, and consequently that piece and caisson fell into the 
 hands of the enemy, but were subsequently recovered. Line of battle 
 was formed, again, in the position occupied before the advance and 
 on the right of Turner's battery. My battery was so posted as to 
 have a cross fire in front of Turner's battery. The enemy's advance 
 npon us was checked at this point. . 
 
 A little before dark-Mijor General Cleburne, having formed a line 
 on my right, making an obtuse angle with mine, commenced a for- 
 ward movement, and about the same time an order was received from 
 Major General Cheatham to move up my brigade also, which was 
 promptly done. 
 
 The fire of small arms immediately became very severe. The left 
 of my brigade, thinking, in the darkening twilight, thSt Major Gene- 
 ral Cleburne's line was in their frcnt, became a little confused by the 
 suddenness and severity of the fire, but were soon brought up and 
 the whole line advanced about six hundred yards. Here the firing 
 abruptly ceased, and, it being now quite dark and the impression 
 BtiU prevailing that our friends were in frout, Mnjor W D. C. Lloyd, 
 my volunteer aid-de-camp, and Lieutenant S. S. Harris, acting 
 inspector general of my brigtule, rode forward to ascertain the facts, 
 when Major Lloyd rode into the enemy's lines and was captured. 
 
 My brigade h^ul moved in Majnr General Cleburne's line, with 
 Brigadier Geneial Deshler's brigade on its left. About nine o'clock 
 at night, in order to allow Brigadier General Deshier to close upon 
 his own division, 1 ordered my brigade to retire to its original posi- 
 tion, where it remained until morning. 
 
 On Sunday morning, the 2i)th instant, in pursuance of orders from 
 Major General Cheatham, I moved by the left flank about iialf a mile 
 and took position as a reserve in the rear of Brigadier General 
 Maney's brigade. Remaining there until about eleven o'clock, A. 
 M., I moved, by order, back to my original position. Here an order 
 was received from General Bragg, through Major Falconer, assistant 
 adjutant general, to move at once with my brigade to the right and 
 frout and report to Lieutenant General Hill. I moved promptly by 
 the right flank and sent Captain Merino, my assistant adjutant gene- 
 ral, and Lieutenant Harris to find Lieutenant General Hill. They 
 returned, reporting their search unsuccessful. At this point. Lieu- 
 tenant General Polk ordered me to take position on the right of 
 Brigadier General I'olk and to move forward at once. Deeming it 
 proper, in pursuance of the order of the commanding General, to 
 report to Lieutenant General Hill for orders, I moved still further by 
 the right fiank and to the right of Brigadier General Polk's brigade, 
 and sent again to Lieutenant General Hill, who directed that my 
 brigade should take position on Brigadier General Liddell's left and 
 fill up a gap between that brigade and Major General Cleburne's 
 
153 
 
 right. A Btaff officer of Lieutenant General Hill having indicated 
 the position ray brigmle was to take, it was moved forward some one 
 hundred and fifty yards, when the commanding ofEcer of my sharp- 
 shooters reported skirmishers of the enemy in heavy force on ray left 
 and opposite the gap on Major General Cleburne's right, which my 
 brigade was insufficient to fill. I directed two additional companies 
 to be deployed as skirmishers, with orders to the five companies, con- 
 sisting of my battalion of sharpshooters and these two companies, to 
 dislodge the enemy. After considerable skirmishing, Major Whitely, 
 of my battalion of sharpshooters, reported that ho could not dislodge 
 the enemy ; that they were in strong force, and supported by a line 
 of brittle and a battery. 
 
 I immediately reported these facts to Lieutenant General Hill, and 
 that if I advanced, the gap not being filled up, my left flank would 
 be exposed to an enfilading fire. He sent me an order, nevertheless, 
 to form on Brigadier General Liddell's left and move forward with 
 his line. This order was promptly executed. The brigade, with the 
 battery in the centre, moved forward in splendid style about one 
 hundred yards, when the enemy opened a galling fire from the front 
 and left flank, enfilading the entire line, with canister and small arms. 
 The engagement now became terrific, and the position of my brigade 
 extremely critical. The troop?, however, stood nobly to the work 
 before thorn and, steadily advancing, Burraounted the hill on which 
 the enemy's breastworks were, the battery moving with the line and 
 rendering efl'ective service. The enemy were driven from their 
 breai-tworks, and Brigadier General Maney's brigade, coming up at 
 this opportune moment, charged them, and the contest was over. At 
 daylight on Monday rooming the enemy was found to have sought 
 saf-^ty in flight, under the cover of darkness. 
 
 The report of my provost marshal shows the capture of seventy- 
 four prisoners, (not including wounded men,) representing twenty-two 
 regiraentB, and from five States. 
 
 I annex a list of the killed, wounded and missing of my command, 
 which was composed, from right to lef^ as follows : Second Georgia 
 battalion sharpshooters, eighth Mississippi regiment, fifth Mississippi 
 regiment, Scogin'e battery, second battalion of first Confederate regi- 
 ment, and the fifth Georgia regiment. 
 
 The total effective was one thousand two hundred and eighty-six ; 
 the aggregate effective, one thousand four hundred and five ; loss, 
 four hundred and ninety ; from which it will be perceived that the 
 per centage of casualties was 34 fi"!, and that the greatest loss was in 
 the fifth Georgia regicicnt, amounting to nearly 55 per cent. 
 I am, Major, respectfully, &c., 
 
 JOHN K. JACKSON, 
 Brigadier General commanding Biigade. 
 
154 
 
 TABULAR STATEMENT of the Casualties of Jocksais Brigade. 
 Cheatham's JJit'ision, PoUc^s Corps, Army of T'enncssee, on the lt)^. 
 and iK)th September, 1863, in the battle of C/tickamauga. 
 
 BrigNflier Uoner&l and Staflf 
 
 Ilalialion or Sbarpsboatcn! 
 
 EiRhtfa MUiiisfiiipi n.'giinuDt 
 
 Fiilb Mi.'^siesippi regiment , 
 
 Sc<>gio*f battery 
 
 Bcc'jttd battaliun Firtit Cuafederato rogimont. 
 Vlftli (Jenrfpa regiment 
 
 Total ']2«« Uns 55 <.I0 sl 490 31 87 avera?. 
 
 S Pkr Cp.hti< 
 
 1 20.IIU 
 SO 27.:? 
 94 n 28 
 76 2;i.79 
 l:i It.tiO 
 M 42.78 
 104i4.94 
 
 JOHN K. JACKSON, 
 Biigadier Gencrd cuinmnnding. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL A. GRACIE. 
 
 IlEADQUARTcns Gracie's Brigadr, ) 
 In front of Cfiathmooga, October 2, 1863. J 
 
 To J. L. SvNFORn, 
 
 Aisistant Adjxdant General : 
 
 Captain: I have the honor of herewith forwarding the report of 
 the operation? of my brigade, composed of the sixty-third regiment 
 Tennessee volunteers, I.ientenant Colonel A. Fulkcrson coraroamling; 
 fortv-third regiment Alabama volunteers. Colonel Y. M. Moody com- 
 m.'inding ; first battalion Abibama legion. Lieutenant Colonel J. II. 
 Holt commanding; second battalion Alabama legion, Lieutenant Col- 
 onel B. Hall, Jr., commanding ; third battalion Alabama legion, Lieu- 
 ten»nt Colonel J. W. A. Sanford commanding, on the days of the 
 19th and 2(lth September, 1.S63. 
 
 Taking position on the evening of the ISth instant at Dalton's ford, 
 on Chickamau/^ river; early on the morning of the 10th, the brigade 
 formed its first line of battle, facing the enemy's works, near Lee iV 
 Gordon's mill. It was exposed to the fire of the enemy's sh(dl. 
 wounding Lieutenant Lane and others of the sixty-third Tennessee 
 regiment. Farther than this the brigade was not engaged in this day's 
 fight. 
 
 On the morning of the 2nth, the brigade was ordered to near Dyer's 
 house, on the Chattanooga road, where, again forming line of battle, 
 it again received the fir^ of the enemy's shell. Between four and five 
 o'clock, P. M., orders were received to support Kershaw's brigade, 
 posted to the left of the Chattanooga road. Word was sent to Gene- 
 ral Kershaw that the brigade was ready, and he ordered it to advance. 
 Pasfing through Kershaw's command, the brigade found itself suddenly 
 in the presence of the enemy, strongly posted behind breastworks of 
 logs and rails, on the crest of an opposite hill. The fire of musketry, 
 grape and canister immediately commenced, but, undaunted, the brigade 
 scaled the precipitous heights, driving the enemy before it, and took 
 posses.<!ion of the hill. Holding these heights for nearly an hour, and 
 ammunition becoming scarce, I informed Brigadier General Preston, 
 commanding division, that, unless supported, the brigade could not 
 much longer hold out. Trigg's and Kelly's brigade? were ordered 
 to my relief. Though with ammnnition nearly exhausted, the brigade 
 held its own till the scattering fire of its musketry betrayed its con- 
 dition to the enemy. Trigg's and Kelly's brigades arriving, the com- 
 Bjan 1 withdrew to replenish its enipty cartiidgb boxes. 
 
 Early the next morning the brigade resumed the position it had 80 
 nobly won. The number of killed and wounded, shows the depperate 
 nature of the cnntest ; of about eighteen hundred and seventy carried 
 into action, nine<y were killed and six hundred and fifteen wounded. 
 
 Where so many distinguished themselves it would be difficult to 
 
156 
 
 particularize ; all nobly did their duty. I would, however, call atten- 
 tion to the following named officers : Lieutenant Colonel A. Fulker- 
 son, sixty-third regiment Tennessee volunteers, who, in the absence 
 of the colonel, commanded the regiment and led it into action; to him 
 it owes its discipline and its efficiency. Colonel Fulkerson was 
 severely wounded in the arm, making, with the one received at Shiloh, 
 the second during the war. Ho is deserving of a much higher position. 
 
 Colonel Y. M. Moody, of the forty-fifth Alabama regiment, always 
 at the head of his regiment on the march, maintained the same posi- 
 tion on the field, rallying and encouraging his men. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel J. J. Jolly, of the same regiment, though 
 seriously wounded in the thigh, remained on the field until no longer 
 able to walk, and then had to be carried ofl'. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel J. H. Holt, of the first battalion Alabama legion. 
 This battalion sustained the heaviest loss ; of two hundred and thirty- 
 nnie carried into action, one hundred and sixty-nine were killed and 
 wounded; among the latter was Lieutenant Colonel Holt, seriously, in 
 the knee. * 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Boiling Hall, commanding second battalion 
 Alabama legion. It was this battalion that first gained the hill an<l 
 placed its culors on the enemy's works. Its colors bear marks of over 
 eighty bullets. Its bearer, Robert Y. Iliett, though thrice wounded 
 and flitg-stafi" thrice shot a.vay, carried his charge throughout the en- 
 tire fight. He deserves not only mention but promotion. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Hall behaved most gallantly, receiving a severe 
 wound in the thigh. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel John W. A. Sanford, commanding the third 
 battalion Alabama legion, and Jlajor McLennan, commanding the 
 fourth battalion Alabama legion, nobly did» their duty, sustaining 
 heavy loss, both in officers and men. Captain W. B. Walton, company 
 B, eecoud battalion Alabama legion, was wounded in the breast, arm 
 and fhoulder, inside the enemy's works. His case deserves special 
 mention. Assistant Surgeon James B. Luckie, of the third battalion 
 Alabama legion, both in the field and at the hospital, was most attentive 
 to the wounded, as indeed were all the medical officers of the command. 
 Captain H. E. .Jones, my assistant adjutant general, was most con- 
 spicuous for coolness and gallantry, carrying orders into the thickest 
 of the fight; he was more exposed than any one in the field. Also my 
 aid-de-camp, Lieutenant E. B. Cherry. I am happy to state that, 
 though both these officers had their horses shot under them, both 
 cpcaped unhurt. To Lieutenant J. N. Gilmer, adjutant of the Ala- 
 bama legion, who, during the absence of its commander, has acted aa 
 my A. 1. General, and to Messrs. George C. Jones and J. T. Harwell 
 (both wounded) my thanks are due for services rendered. Major E. 
 L. Hord, my quartermaster, who so completely equipped my brigade, 
 was constantly at his post, performing his onerous duties. Major C. 
 D. Brown, my Commissary, who, by untiring energy, kept the brigade 
 ctnstantly supplied with cooked rations. My thanks are also due to 
 Lieutenant A. M. MacMurphy, my efficient ordnance officer. 
 
 Among the uoble dead I have to record the names of Captain James 
 
157 
 
 T. Gillespie and Lieutenant S. M. Deadrick, company I, sixty-third 
 Tennessee regiment; Captains 0. II. Prince, company A, and J. A. 
 r. Gordon, company C, Lieutenant Wm. II. Watkins company B, 
 forty-third Alabama regiment, and Lieutenant R. II. Bibb, of the firat 
 battalion Alaban a legion. 
 
 I am, Captain, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 A. GRACIE, Jr , 
 BrKadier GenercU. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL II. D. CLAYTON. 
 
 IIeadquartf.rs Clayton's Bihgade, ) 
 Near Chattanooga, October 3, 1863. J 
 
 M«ior R. A. IIatcker, 
 
 Assinlaiit AdjiUant General StevcarVs Division : 
 
 Major : The following report of the part taken by this brigade in 
 the battle of Chickam;iuga on the IDih and 2iith of September, 18G3, 
 is respectfully submitted : 
 
 On Thursday, the I7ib day of September, this brigade, consisting 
 of the eighteenth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-eighth Alabama regiiuent.i, 
 .■ommandcd respeetively by Colonel J. T. lloltzclaw. Colonel L. T. 
 Woodruff, and Lieutenant Colonel A. R. Lankford. and Iluini^ries' 
 battery, took up the line of march from Lafayette, Walker county, 
 Ceorgiii, where it had been bivouacked a few days, towards the battle- 
 field Resting the night of the 17th, near Rock Spring, it pro(-eeded 
 the next day to Thcdf rd's ford on the Chickaiiiauga creek. Briga- 
 dier General Bate's brigade proceeding down the creek a short dis- 
 tance, his artillery engaged the enemy, who were then near 
 .Mcxander's bridge, my brigade being exposed to the fire by wiiich I 
 lost one man killed. I advanced three coinphnies from tho eighteenth 
 Alabama regiment across the creek as skirmishers, under command of 
 Major Hundley of that regiment, and rode over myself for the pur- 
 pose of making observation-^. Placing the three compani.'S as 
 pickets in a piece of woodlalid, I cro.'sed my whole brigade over the 
 creek, (tho men wading,) soon after nightf .11, at a point a short dis- 
 tance above Thedfor-i's ford, being the first troops to cross the creek 
 in that vicinity. I put the battery in position en the left, supported 
 by the thirty-eighth Alabama regiment, and .lirected the other regi- 
 ments to bivouac immediately up.n the bi.nk of the creek. O i the 
 morning of the 19th, the othci' briga b-s (Bn.wn's and B.ite's) of the 
 division (Stewart's) having cro-tsed tho cre-k an 1 fjnue I in ray rear, 
 my brigade moved forward in lino of bittleat an early hour, a dis- 
 tance between one and two miles, until it reached a poMti"n f-oin 
 *hich the enemy could bo seen upon the distiiit hills. The brii;ido, 
 and so far as I could loarn, the whote armv, e.Kcept uoon the exueine 
 ri;'ht, whete the engi2;ement had alrealy began, hilte-l until half-past 
 orfe o'clock, P. M., wi'ien it was ordsrcd to tlio right nbout one in la. 
 Having received instructions as to the point upon which I shuuld 
 direct "ny brigade, with the further admonition (hit. aftrr having more 
 definitely located the enemy, I would have to act fir myself and be 
 governed by circumstances. I moved forwirdin lino of bittb- with 
 hkirmishers in front. ^ Having proco ildl a few huiidr.'d yards thiongh 
 » dense undergrowth and being about to enter a ouliivatod liehl, I 
 halted for tho purpose of correcting tlte aiignracn'. when Col-.nel 
 John C. Carter, of the thirty-eigliih Tennessee regiinonr, Wright's 
 brigade, Cheatham's division, came ou foot from mj left iu gieal 
 
159 
 
 haste and informed me that my brigade was marching in the wrong 
 direction, and that unless I changed mj direction nearlj perpendicu- 
 larly to the left, my brigade would soon be in range of the enemy's 
 small arms and artillery, which would enfilade my line; and that as 
 1 then stood, the right of the enemy was in rear of my left. I im- 
 mediately changed my direction, and, marching by the left flank and 
 tiling obliquely to the left and rear, (the nature of the ground not 
 admitting of any other movement.) had Ecarcely changed for the pur- 
 pose of moving in the new direction, when the enemy opened fire upon 
 us, which was promptly returned. The firing seeming to be too much 
 lit random, I passed down and up the line calling the attention of 
 •flicers to the fact. I then directed my staff to inform regimental 
 I'oramandcrs that I was about to order a charge. Passing again down 
 the line, I was informed by several officers that their ammunition was 
 expended, and I therefore reconsidered my first intention to charge 
 the enemy, being unable on account of the thick undergrowth to form 
 a satisfactory idea of his strength, and withdrew for the purpose of 
 replenishing the ammunition. This was done fn good order and with 
 little loss, the enctay having almost simultaneously ceased firing. In 
 this engagement the brigade lost near four hundred officers and nr.en 
 killed and wounded. It began about half-past two o'clock and lasted 
 i>nc hour. The enemy was formed in a semi-circle around and over a 
 »light elevation or hill which gave him great advantage in position, 
 snd the manner in which both ends of my line were cross-fired upon 
 induce the opinion that we were greatly out-numbered. I again moved 
 forward about four o'clock, the brigades of Generals Brown and Bato 
 having successively advanced and engaged the enemy. Passing Ijate's 
 brigade, then in front, my line continued steadily forward with 
 promptness and spirit, accompanied nearly to the Chattanooga road 
 by the fifty-eighth Alabama regiment. Colonel Bush. Jones, (which 
 mtracted my attention by the excellent order in which it moved.) and 
 a small portion of another regiment, which I did not recognise,. both 
 of Bate's brigade. The enemy continued to retreat to and beyond 
 the Chattanooga road, near which my brigade captured two pieces •f 
 irtillery, whirh were brought off in the manner stated by my regi- 
 mental commanders, whose reports accompany this. My brigade con- 
 •. :r, lied the pursuit of the enemy one-half mile beyond the road, when 
 (I officer reporting the enemy advancing in strong force from tho 
 t. and it also having been reported to me through my assistant 
 .'.iDt general, by a staff officer, whom he drd not recognize, that 
 • i.cmy's cavalry had been seen in force upon the left as if pre- 
 : g to advance, my brigade fell back across the road at leisure, 
 '• 1 halted and reformed it in connection with the portion of Gen. 
 s biigiide already referred to.' I take pleasure in mentioning 
 • 'apuiBS Crenshaw and Lee, with their companies, from tbs 
 -eighth Alabama regiment, of BAte's brigade, accoinpanied rcino 
 lid the road. They are gallant officers. In this charge my brig- 
 L apt u red fifty or sixty prisoners, besides tho two pieces of artil> 
 ., Slid I have reason to believe that tho loss in killed and woandc>4 
 >.. .i:ted upon the enemy, to Bomo extent, compensated for our own in 
 
IGO 
 
 the c»rlier engagement. Changing the direction of ray line by a front 
 forward upon the right and the other two sides of a triangle being 
 formed by Generals Brown and Bates, night coming on, the troops 
 slept upon their arms within a few hundred yards of the enemy, who 
 could be distinctly heard erecting breastworks. During the niglif 
 mv pickets brought in about forty prisoners, among whom were se\ 
 ral officers of the lower grades. Early on the morning of the 20 f:. 
 the brigade was mored to the right and in a position about three hun- 
 dred yards from and parallel to the Chattanooga road. Here it 
 remained until eleven o'clock, su1>jected the most of the time to a 
 severe fire from the enemy's artillery, by which several men were 
 wounded. About eleven o'clock, General Brown being in front, and 
 General Bate on my right, the whole division advanced under a most 
 terrible fire of grape and canister from the enemy's artillery, before 
 which several most gallant officers fell bravely leading their men, 
 among whom I cannot forbear to mention the name of the chivalrous 
 and accomplished Lieutenant Colonel R F. Juge, of the eighteenth 
 Alabama regiment. Notwithstanding this, the brigade pressed for- 
 ward through a narrow corn-field to the first pieces of artillery by the 
 road side, when two other batteries, one in front and one upon the 
 right, assisted by small arms, began a most murderous fire, before 
 which all were compelled to retire. I was myself struck by a grape 
 ehot and compelled to dismount for a short time. The thirty-eighth 
 Alabama regiment, scarcely breaking its line, fell back only a short 
 distance. The other regiments promptly reformed near the position 
 originally occupied by them, and moved forward to rejoin it. Gen. 
 Brown's brigade lyas reformed by Colonel Cook, (General B. having 
 been wounded,) on my left, and General Bate's brigade upon my 
 right. My own and General Brown's brigade soon moved forward 
 again to the road and then to the right towards the enemy, who were 
 ascertained to be there in strong position. General Bate was formed 
 in my rear, and in this position the command remained until about 
 five o'clock, P. M., when I again moved my brigade forward. Soon 
 coming upon the enemy behind breastworks, they were gallantly 
 charged by my whole line with great spirit, the enemy ffeeing in wild 
 disorder across a large open field, upon the edge of which I 
 ordered a halt, and the brigade continued to fire as long as the enemy 
 could be seen. Many taking refuge in and around a hospital, 
 (Kelly's house,) I sent forward, first the thirty-eighth, and afterwards 
 the eighteenth Alabama regiments, which, together captured about 
 three hundred prisoners, besides near the same number of wounded. 
 
 Thus terminated the part taken by this brigade in the battle of 
 Chickamauga. I have omitted to say anything about the battery, 
 because it was under the chief of artillery for the division, except a 
 fihort time, during which I had no opportunity of using it. I suppose 
 the report in regard to it will more properly be made through the 
 chief of artillery. The brigade went into action on the 19th with 
 thirteen hundred and fifty-two, total effective, and ninety-four officers. 
 
 It lost in the two days, twelve officers killed dead upon the field, 
 and eighty-nine men. Thirty have since died. Thirty-four officers 
 
161 
 
 and four humlreJ and forty-nine men were wounlcd and fifteen miss- 
 ing, making the aggregate, killed wounded and missing, six hundred and 
 twentj-nine. This does not include many who were slightly woundeJ 
 and did not leave the field. The brigade captured two pieces of 
 artillery, three hundred and ninety-six prisoners, besides about two 
 hundred and fifty wounded and in hospital. It collected twelve hundred 
 and forty-nine muskets and rifles, six hundred and forty sets of accoutre- 
 ments and twenty thousand cartridges. The greater portion of the guns 
 and ammunition were carried off the fi?ld by my own ordnance 
 wagons. I. claim for my brigade that it was the first and the last in the 
 division to encounter the enemy ; the first in the army to pierce the 
 enemy's centre and cross the Chattanooga road, which was done on 
 Saturday evening near Brotherton's house. I conclude this report 
 by tendering my cordial thanks to and testifying in behalf of the 
 gallant men composing this brigade, in all whose ranks there 
 appeared not a single cowiird, and to the officers, worthy of such men,* 
 leading them in every charge. My thanks are particn'arly duo to Capt. 
 J. M. Slacon, A. A. G., Lieut. J. Vidence, assistant inspector general, 
 and Lieutenant W. N. Kuight, aid-de-camp, who rendered me prompt 
 and valuable services throughout the whole engagement, never once 
 fhrinking from their duty. To the commanders of regiments, I also 
 make my acknowledgments for the efficient manner in which they 
 directed and kept their commands together, the most difficult of all 
 duties upon the field. I also tender my thanks to Major General 
 Stewart, who was everywhere and umlVr all circumstances present 
 with his command. To the gallant dead, a contemplation of whom 
 •addens our hearts, we give our tears and a hearty "well done !" 
 May the God of battles give us courage to emulate their heroic 
 cxampleB, and, when the time shall come, bravely to share thei^ fate. 
 I am, Major, Tery respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 H. D. CLAYTON, 
 
 Brigodier General. 
 
 II 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL W. B. BATE. 
 
 IIeadqvarters Bate's BBrnADE. Stfwarts Division, > 
 In front ofC/uittartouga, October 9, 1863. J 
 
 Major R. A. Hatcher, 
 
 AssiitatU Adjutant General : 
 
 Major : I have the honor to submit the following report of the par- 
 ticipation haJ by my brigade in the lute three days' battle of the 
 Chickamauga, comprising the 18th, lf>th and 2tHh ultimo: 
 
 Having been ordered to advance, take possef.<ion of and hold Thed- 
 ford's ford, but not to bring on a general engagement unless indis- 
 pensable to the accomplishment of these objects, I moved ray com- 
 *L3and at once, at a double-quick, and occupied a wooded eminence 
 commanding it, afid placed my battery, the Eufala light artillery, on 
 a cleared hill to tlie front and left, which overlooked tho enemy, and 
 within a few hundred yards of his position. The attack, in which the 
 fourth Georgia battalion of sharpshooters, Major Caswell, and my 
 artillery alone were engaged, was brisk and spirited. In the mean- 
 time, however, the entire brigade was subjected to a severe shelling 
 from the enemy just above Alexander's bridge, and across the Chick- 
 amauga, by which one man was killed and five or si.ic wounded. After 
 a ftw well-directed shots from my battery, which Captain Oliver 
 placed promptly in position, the enemy gave way. This was the opening 
 f.ght of the battle of the Chickamauga. We bivouacked near the camp 
 of the enemy, commandiijg the two fords — Thcdford's and tho Bend 
 ford — where I crossed my command next morning at an early hour, 
 and formed line of battle in rear of Brigadier Generals Brown'>3 and 
 Clayton's brigades, the whole under command of Major General 
 Stewart. AVe moved in this order, bearing to the right, through a 
 corn-field and woodland nearly two miles, at which point we were 
 halted for some hours. Here my artillery was put forwaid to develop 
 the enemy's position, which it did, drawing shell and round shot upon 
 our lines, wounding three or four of my men. We were moved hence 
 by the right liank near a point where heavy volleys of musketry were 
 heard, and thence by the left liank in line of battle, some three or 
 four hundred yards, and halted in the same relative position we had 
 occupied during the earlier part of the day, mine being the rear line 
 cf battle. At three o'clock, P. M., Brigadier Generals Clayton's and 
 Brown's brigades successively engaged the enemy. In about thirty 
 minutes I was ordered by Major General Stewart to advance — General 
 Clayton having withdrawn and Brown also passed to the rear. My 
 line of battle was organized by placing Caswell's battalion of sharp- 
 shooters (fourth Georgia) on the right, and in succession from that 
 wing was tho twentieth Tennessee, Colonel T. B. Smith ; thirty- 
 seventh Georgia, Colonel A. T. Rudlcr; fifty-eighth Alabama, 
 Colonel Bush. Jones, and fifteenth and thirty-seventh Tennessee, 
 Colonel R. C. Tyler, constituting the supporting line. . I had thrown 
 
163 
 
 out no skirmishers. The whole command moved forward with spirit 
 and zeal, engagin/r the enemy hotly before it had proceeded two hun- 
 dred yards — his line extending in front and to the right and left of 
 U3. A bittery in front of my extreme right played constantly and 
 with terrible effect upon that wing, until my right pressed within less 
 than fifty paces of it, when it was rapidly removed to prevent capture. 
 Another revealed its hydra-head immediately in the rear of this, 8up- 
 portcd by a second line, hurling its death-dealing missiles more 
 destructively, if possible, upon our still advancing but already thinned 
 ranks, Having driven the first lino back upon its support, a fresh 
 battery and infantry were brought to play upon my riglit, which, by 
 it« advanced position had become subject to an enfilade fire, gave way, 
 but not until Major Capwell, Colonel Smith and Colonel Rudler, the 
 three officerj commanding respectively the three right battalions, wore 
 wounded, and at least twenty-five per cent, of tlieir numbers killed 
 and wounded. When the right gave way the enemy sought to follow 
 it up, and pressed his sharpshooters beyond the right flank, who, 
 finding it well aligned and in the attitude of resistance, precipitated 
 themselves back and out of reach. The men were easily rallied, and 
 promptly reformed a short distance in the rear of the point to which 
 they had advanced. In this dash the en'emy captured one of my 
 pieces and one of my couriers. It needed, however, but a moment to 
 retake the piece, which was handsomely done. In this contest ray 
 right retook the battle flag of the fifty-first Tennessee regiment. 
 General \yrighl"s brigade, ▼. hich but a moment before had been 
 wrested from them by superior numbers and the flank movements of 
 the enemy. I was rejoiced to deprive him of this trophy, so recently 
 won, and return it to its gallant owners, hallowed as it is by its 
 baptiura in the blood of Shiloh, Perryville and Murfreesboro'. My 
 left in the meantime, composed of the fifty-eighth Alabama, Colonel 
 Jones, and fittcenth and thirty-seventh Tennessee regiments, (consol- 
 idated.) Colonel Tyler, not being so much harassed by the enfilade 
 fife from the right, presled steadily forward in fine order, driving the 
 enemy, who contested every inch of ground with dogged and persistent 
 obstinacy until forced beyond the Chattanooga road and several hun- 
 dred yards back into the wood, thus deranging his compact lines and 
 breaking hia. centre. In this charge Colonel 'I'yler captured three 
 guns; and Colonel Jones participated with the thirty-eighth Alabama, 
 Colonel Woodruff", in the capture of three ; for the particulars of 
 which I refer to their reports. It being nearly night, and having 
 advanced so far beyond the enemy's lines as to make them liable to a 
 flank movement, they returned from further pursuit to the puint on 
 the battle-field to which I bad ordered the Eufala light artillery, and 
 where General Clayton and I were reforming our shattered commands — 
 Colonel Tyler bringing with him his captured guns, and Colonel 
 JoDes in such fine order as to elicit my public commendation. Owing 
 to a movement of the enemy to our right, the front of General Clay- 
 ton's command was changed by Major General Stewart to meet an 
 expected attack from that eolirce, and my line wa<< left fronting the 
 Chattanooga road. General lirowu'e command subsequently inter- 
 
ICl 
 
 Tened. Thus we bivounckcd for the night upon the field of carnsgc. 
 enveloped by the smoke of battle and surrounded by the dead <. : 
 friend and foe. 
 
 Sunday morning found ua in the lino acsuraed^the night previous, 
 and, under the order of Major General Stewart, I moved my com- 
 mand by the right flank five or sis hundred yards, and took position 
 forward and on the right of General Brown's brigade, but in forming 
 the line was compelled to retire the right to an angle of about forty- 
 Eve degrees on account of the proximity of the enemy, located to 
 my right oblique. Caswell's battalion of sharpshooters, under com- 
 mand of Lieutenant Joel Towers, Captain JJcnjamin Turner hav- 
 ing been dangerously wounded the evening before, was thrown for- 
 ward and deployed at right angles with my right to guard against 
 a repetition of the movement of the previous evening, to turn that 
 flank, to which wo were liable, there being at that time no force sufE- 
 ciently near to intervene. Having assumed this line of battle, I had 
 a temporary barricade of logs hastily constructed, which gave par- 
 tial protection against the shower of grape, canister and shell which 
 continuously and most angrily saluted us. During the time that we 
 were subjected to this ordeal several men and officers were killed and 
 wounded, yet no restiveness or other evidence of demoralization was 
 manifested. 
 
 At about nine, A. M., the brigade of General Desbler was placed 
 upon my right, prolonging the line, and observing the same inclina- 
 tion to the rear. Soon thereafter, I received notice thjit General 
 Wood's brigade was in my front, and that the general movement would 
 be a successive one, by brigades, commencing on the right, and was 
 ordered by Major General Stewart to follow up the movement of Gen- 
 eral Dcshler. After waiting, under a severe and incessant firo of 
 artillery, until about eleven o'clock, A. M., I communicated to General 
 Stewart that no movement on my right had taken place, that General 
 Desbler had been killed, and desired to know if I should longe.- 
 remain inactive. About this time there wate firing in my front, afld 
 soon thereafter General Wood's command came back, passing over 
 my line. I was then ordered by Major General Stewart to advance 
 and attack. My command received the order with a shout, and moved 
 upon the foe at a rapid gait. The battalion of sharpshooters was 
 ordered to maintain its position at right angles to the line, and check, 
 if possible, if not to delay, any m.ovement in that direction, giving 
 the earliest notice of the same. My right, as upon the evening pre- 
 vious, became hotly engaged almost the instant it assumed the offen- 
 Bive. It was subject to a most galling fire of grape and musketry 
 from my right oblique and front, cutting down with great fatality the 
 twentieth Tennessee and thirty-seventh Georgia at every step, until 
 they drove the enemy behind his defences, from which, without sup- 
 port, either of artillery or infantry, they were unable to dislodge him. 
 General Deshlcr's brigade not having advanced, I called on Major 
 General Cleburne, who was near my right and rear, for assistance, 
 but he having none at his disposal which could be spared, I was com- 
 pelled to retire that wing of my brigade, or sacrifice it in uselessly 
 
16:. 
 
 fighting tlnico its numbers, with the advantage of the hill and breast- 
 works against it. I did so in good order, and without indecent haste, 
 and aligned it first in front and tlien plnced it in rear of our flimsy 
 defenses. My left, the fifty-eighth Alabaraa. and fifteenth and thirty- 
 ty-sevcnth TcnncFsee, the latter under coramnnd of Licutcnt Colonol 
 Frazicr, Colonel Tyler having been wounded, being further from the 
 enemy's line than my right, did not so soon become cngnged, neither 
 St this time subject to so severe a cross-fire, proceeded steadily on 
 and drove the enemy behind his works, which had been constructed 
 the night previous, on the very spot we had driven thera from, and 
 maintained their position with a dogged tenacity un;il the twen- 
 tieth Tennessee and thirty-seventh Georgia were put in position 
 behind the barricade, and the battalion of sharpshooters drawn in. 
 The artillery of the enemy had ceased to play upon us, except at 
 slow intervals, and a part of their (Tyler and Jones) commands 
 having already returned, I despatched Lieutenant Blanchard, of my 
 staff, to ascertain their situation, who reported that he met them 
 returning with the balance of their commands in good order. I 
 rhcc'iithem in position and awaited orders. I am unable to give as 
 accuimean account of my left as of my right, for the reason thatthe right 
 became first engaged, and the comraandors of the three right battalions 
 Laving been wounded the evening previous, devolving the command 
 on janior officers, I felt that my personal services were most needed 
 there, wliich prevented my witnessing, so as to give in detail, the 
 incident? connected with that portion of the field. I found, however, 
 their dead in the breastworks of the enemy, which is the highest 
 evidence that can be afforded of what they did. In this fight, my 
 command lost thirty per cent, killed and wounded, in addition to the 
 heavy loss of #16 evening before. After a short respite, Major Gen- 
 eral ttcwart ordered my command, (which still held its position in the 
 front line.) to the left, where it would be more secure from the artil- 
 lery missiles of the enemy on my right. Here we remained until 
 about five, P. M., when I was ordered to fjrm in rear of General 
 Clayton, and join hinl in taking the batteries and breastworks on our 
 right, from which wc had suffered bo heavily during the day. I 
 charged front forward on my right battalion, and, together with Gen- 
 eral Clayton's brigade, soon were over the fortifications, driving the 
 enemy in confusion and capturing a number of prisoners. In this 
 charge,. Captain Tankersly commanded the fifteenth and thirty- 
 seventh Tennessee, Lieutenant Colonel Frazier having been wounded. 
 The Eufala light artillery, Capt. Oliver, had kept close to my infantry, 
 notwithstanding. the (ibstruction of a dense wood, took position inside 
 the fortifications, and opened a rapid and destructive fire upon the re- 
 treating foe until the curtain of night closed upon the scene. I claim 
 for this battery the honor of opening on Friday evening, and closing 
 on Sunday evening, ti.c battle of Cbickamauga. 
 
 My brigade went into the fight with mus-kets in the bands of on«- 
 third of the men, but alter the f:-* '^ - -" Saturday evening every 
 man was supplietl with a good i and ammunition to enil, 
 
 which was u.ied wiih effect on i'^t.i .;^ nal owners the next day. 
 
1GG 
 
 The deaiJ and wounded of the enemy, over which we pissed in drivinj; 
 them back on Saturday and Sunday, jjave an earne8t of the telling effect 
 produced upon them in both day's fight. Besides anoing itself with 
 Enfield rifles, a detail from my command, under supervision of my ord- 
 nance officer, Jas. E. Kice, gathered upon the field and conveyed to the 
 ordnance train about two thousand efficient guns. The pieces 
 captured by Colonel Tyler, and those in which Colonel Jones partici- 
 pitod in the capture, were taken to the rear and turned over to proper 
 officers. 
 
 My command entered the fight, Friday evening, with one thousand 
 and fifty-five guns, thirty provost guard, and a fair complement 
 of officers, out of whi^ number it lost seven officers and fifty-nine 
 men killed, and five hundred and forty-one M-ounded, sixty-one of 
 whom were officers, making a toA\ of six hundred and seven. It is 
 seen that every fiidd officer in the brig.ade, excepting three, were 
 wounded. For further particulars, allow me to respectfully refer to 
 the reports of the coramandiirs of battalions and the battery, which are 
 herewith transmitted. 
 
 I cannot close this report without noticing the distir^ished 
 services rendered, unworthy as the tribute may be, by my field Wicers, 
 Colonels Tyler, Smith, Rudlerand Jones, Lieutenant Colonels Smith, 
 Myer and Frazier, and Majors Caswell, Wail, Kendtick, Shye and 
 Ti:ornton ; to each of whom is due the highest meed of praise. It 
 would be invidious to make distinctions when each has played his part 
 60 well. (Jolonels Kudler and Smith and Major Caswell were pain- 
 fully, the last two seriously, v, ounded, at the head of their respective 
 commands, early in the engagement of Saturday, and comptdled to 
 retire from the field, thus devolvirig the command cf the twentieth 
 Tennessee on Major Shye ; the thirty-seventh Georgi#on Lieutenant 
 Colonel Smith, and battalion of sharpshooters on Lieutenant Towers, 
 each of whom did his duty gallantly and nobly throughout the conflict. 
 Colonel Tyler, Lieutenant Colonels M\'er and Frazier, Majors Wall, 
 Kendrick and Thornton were wounded, from which they suffered con- 
 siderably, (the last named officer prostrated by the explosion of a shell,) 
 but still remained at the post of duty, bearing themselves with 
 distinguished gallantry. 
 
 To each of mj staft". Major Winchester, (who, notwithstanding his 
 leg was badly hiVt from the fall of his korso when shot Friday even- 
 ing, continued in the field until the close of the fiight,) LiouteuantB 
 lilanchard and Bate, I am indebted for their hearty co-operation and 
 prompt execution of my orders, notwith.=tanding each was unhorsed 
 by shots from the enemy. Also, to James E. Kice, brigade ordnance 
 officer, I am indebted for tho prompt discharge of his duties ; but to 
 none are my thanks more signally due, or more cordially awarded, 
 than to my gallant young adjutant Captain W. C. Yancey, who while 
 cheering and encouraging my right wing, in its desperate charge on 
 Sunday, received a fearful wound, shattering his foot, and compelling 
 him to retire from the field. I take pleasure, also, in adding my testi- 
 mony, humble as it may be, to the hearty co-ope»ation of the two 
 gallant brigades of Stewart's division, General Clayton's and Brown's, 
 
167 
 
 in every charge in wbicU it tti? the fortune of my conitnan.l to engags. 
 Miijor General Stewart will accept my thanks, as a soMier's tri- 
 bute, for his polite and gonial bearing, and personal assistance in the 
 thickest of the fight, the time when I felt I much needel it. While 
 I recount the services of the living, I cannot pnss unrcmemberel 
 the heroic dead; the cypress must be interwoven with the laurel. The 
 bloody field attested the sacrifice of many a noble spirit in the fierce 
 Struggle — the privalr soldier vicing with tlic officer in deeds of high 
 daring and distinguished courage. Wliilc the river of death shall 
 float its sluggi.'h current to the beautiful Tennessee, and the night 
 wind chant its solemn dirges over their soldier-graves, their names, 
 enshrined in the hearts of th?ir countrymen, will be held in grateful 
 remembrance a? the champions and defenders of their country, who 
 had sealed their devotion with their blood, on one of the most gloriou-s 
 battlefields of our revolution. 
 
 I am, Major, most respectfully your obedient scrrant, 
 
 WILLIAM B. BATE, 
 
 Jjrig'idicr Genera!. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL J. C. BROWN. 
 
 Headquarters Brown's Brigadk, ^ 
 B(fore Chatiunooga, October 13, 1»G3. S 
 
 Major R. A. TTatciier, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General StiwarCs Division : 
 
 Major : I respectfully bpg leave to submit the following as a rcpoi i 
 of the part performed bj ray command in the battle of Cliickamauga 
 on the 19th and 20th of September, 1S63 : 
 
 My brigade consisted of the eighteenth Tennessee, Col. J. B. Palmer; 
 fcrty-5fth Tennessee, Colonel A. Searcy ; thirty-second Tennes- 
 see, Colonel Edward C. Cook; Newman's battalion, M.HJor Tazewell 
 W. Newman, and the twenty-sixth Tennessee, Colonel John M. Lil- 
 lard, forming line from right to left in the order stated, numbering 
 twelve hundred cft'cctive men. On the morning of the H)th, Il#n'son's 
 battery of Georgia light artillery, four pieces, commanded by Lieutenant 
 R. W. Anderson, also reported to me. 
 
 At early dawn of the 1 9th I crossed the Chickamauga at Lcdford's 
 ford, and formed in rear of Brigadier General Clayton, six hundred 
 yards from that stream. Bate forming soon after in my roar. A little 
 after sunrise we moved to the front in that order, swinging the right 
 a little forward, until we came up with the division commanded by 
 Brigadier General Johnson, and formed on its left. About eleven 
 o'clock, we moved by the right flank four or five hundred yards in 
 rear of Johnson's division, and soon aftcrwar<ls eight hundred yards 
 further, halting immediately in rear of the left of Cheatham's division, 
 which was then hotly engaged. His left brigade, being numerically 
 overpowered and repulsed, was relieved by Brigadier General Clayton, 
 immediately in my front. I followed this movement closely, being so 
 near to Clayton's line that many of mytcommand were wounded and 
 a few killed before 1 could return the fire. The front line advanced 
 but little under the combined fire of the enemy's artillery and small 
 arms, until General Clayton reported his ammunition exhausted. 
 
 At about two, r. M., in obedience to orders received in person from 
 the Major General commanding, I relieved him, and encountered the 
 enemy in an unbroken forest, rendered the more difficult of passage 
 by the dense undergrowth which for more than two hundred yards ex- 
 tended along my entire line. And difficulties were still further en- 
 hanced by the smoke of battle, and the burning of the woods rendered 
 it impossible to distinguish objects twenty paces in advance. My» 
 skirmishers encountering the enemy at an hundred yards or less, I 
 pushed rapidly upon his lines, under a most terrific fire from all arms. 
 There was no position from which my artillery could be served with 
 advantage against the enemy, while two of his batteries immediately 
 in my front, and one almost on my right flank, filled the air with grape, 
 canister, shells and solid shot, while volley after volley of musketry, in 
 
169 
 
 quick sncccssiou, swept my men bj scores at every discharge. For 
 four huDilreil yards, however, my line stoadily advanced without fal- 
 tering at ony point until the enemy had been driven beyond the 
 tangled undergrowth nnd his first line completely routed. A stubborn 
 resistance from the second line, supported by artillery, posted upon a 
 slight acclivity in our front, and pouring showers of canister upon us 
 for a few minutes, checdsed our progress, but again wc advanced, 
 "iriving back his second lino up to and beyond the summit of the 
 ridge, until my right rested upon and my centre and left had passed 
 the crest. Unfortunately, however, at this moment, when the rout of 
 the second line was about being made as complete as the disaster to 
 the first a few minutes previous, a force of the enemy appeared upon 
 my right flank, and had well righ turned it, compelling the eighteenth 
 and forty-fifth Tennessee regiment to retire rapidly and in some con- 
 fusion under a heavy enfilading fire.. This hecessitated the withdrawal 
 of the centre and left, there being no support upon my right for » 
 nilc and none in my rear nearer than six hundred yards, and which 
 was then not in motion. 
 
 Before reaching the summit of the ridge, many of the best and 
 bravest officers of my command had been stricken down. Among these 
 may be named Colonel J. B. Palmer, severely wounded; ColonelJohn 
 M. Lillard, mortally wounded ; Lieutenant Colonel Butler, slightly 
 wounded; Major Joyner and Major Tazewell W. Newman, severely 
 wounded, besides many line officers, whose services were almost indis- 
 pensable to their commands. 
 
 Soon after passing the df n?e undergrowth mentioned above, we killed 
 the horses and drove the gunners from five field pieces, throe upon the 
 right and two in the centre. The commartd passed them but the men were 
 not permitted to fall out of ranks to remove them. Lieutenant An- 
 derson, of Dawson's battery, removed three of them (six-pounder rifle 
 brass pieces) to the rear, and the other two were removed by persons 
 unk.iowD. In addition to this, the thirty-second Tennessee, in the 
 centre, just before being withdriwn, and while a little beyond 
 the crest of the ridge, drove the enemy from two other field pieces 
 ».nd silenced their fire, but did not reach them; while the left (twenty- 
 sixth Tennessee) drove him from a battery of the second line, but was 
 retired before reachjng it. In this action Carnes' battery of light 
 artillery, of Wright's brigade, which had an hour or two previous 
 been cajUnred by the enemy, was retaken by mycnramad. 
 
 Brigadier General Bate relieved me about ^'-, P. M., and I rapidly 
 rcfi.rmcd and replenished my ammunition in hie rear, and, when ready 
 again to move forward, a staflT officer announced that the enemy had 
 penetrated between Bate's left and Johnson's right and that his skir- 
 mishers were moving upon my flank. I immediately changed the 
 direction of my line at a double-quick, first sendincj forward a strong 
 line of skirmishers. But finding that the enemy had either retreated 
 or that the alarm was a falce one, 1 reported the fact to the Major 
 Oeneral commanding, and, in obedience to his orders, moved again to 
 the front and, passing the commands of Bate and Clayton, fonned in 
 libe beyond their left flank, aloiOBt upon the precise ground to which 
 
170 
 
 I had previously pursued the enemy. IIavin» placed ray artillery in 
 position un ier the personal supervision of Major General Stewiirr. 
 and protected my front with skirmishers, was directed to remaiu and 
 hold the position durin^j the night. The enemy was about two hundred 
 and fifty or three hundred yards distant in my front, but did not ad\!ince, 
 and, save an occasional shot on the picket line and a few shells about 
 ni;.'ht fall, there was no firing during that night. 
 
 Soon after daylight on Sunday murniug, (the 20th.) in ohedience to 
 orders from ihc Major Gen. commanding, I moved by the right flank five 
 hundred paces, inclining a little to the rear, so as to keep the crc.>t of 
 the ridge. In a few moments the skirmishers encountered a sharp 
 fire from the enemy and were rapidly driven in on the right, six or 
 eight of them being shot down. They were immeiliately reinforced, 
 pushed cautiously forward, under such shelter as the ground and lim- 
 ber afl'orded, to a distance of one hundred and fifty yards, but so near 
 was the enemy that they could not be advanced further without pro- 
 voking^ an engagement, which I had been cautioned to avoid until our 
 line could be established. Brigadier Gener^ Bate formed on my right, 
 but at an angle with my line, his right retired. In a short time after- 
 ward Brigadier General Wood, of Cleburne's division, formed on my 
 right, a little in front of Bate. We erected temporary defences of 
 logs, rocks, brush and such other materials as could be hastily col- 
 lected. 
 
 At about half past ten, A. M., tno enemy commenced shelling us 
 from two positions, one immediately in my front, about four hundred 
 yards distant, and the other more to my right, doing but little damage. 
 
 At about eleven o'clock, when ordered to advance, I moved in line 
 to the front, preceded by my'skirmishers, who soon driving in the 
 enemy's skirmishers, rallied upon the command. We moved at double- 
 quick nearly three hundred yards through an open wood, the enemy 
 retiring before us, when the brigade on ray right broke in confusion. 
 My line still advanced fifty or seventy-five yards further, and to within 
 fifty yards of the enemy's battery and line of defences, when the right, 
 wholly unsupported and receiving a terrible cross firo of musketry 
 and artillery upon its flanks, broke and retired in disorder to our tem- 
 porary defences. I found all efl'orts to rally the eighteenth and forty- 
 fifth Tennesse, short of the defences, in vain and, indeed, impracticable, 
 under the storm of grape and canister which prevailed upon every 
 part of the fitdd over which these two regiments passed. The centre 
 and left continued steadily to advance until they crossed the Chatta- 
 nooga road two or ihrea hundred yards, and passed the battery inour 
 front, but on the right flank of the thirty-second Tennessee regiment. 
 But being unsupported on the right, in consequence of the retreat of 
 the eighteenth and forty-fifth Tennessee regiments, it became neces- 
 sary to retire the remainder of .the line, because to have advanced 
 further would have exposed it to the hazard of being cut off, while, to 
 have remained stationary, without shelter and undor fire from a pro- 
 tected foe, would have sacrificed the men without obtaiuing any com- 
 pensating advantage. I therefore ordered it to retire, which it accom- 
 plished in comparatively good order, to the original line. While 
 
ITl 
 
 rcfcrniing mj line, I receive'l a slight wound, which disabled me from 
 dutj for the remainder of the day, and I refer to the report of Colonel 
 Cook, upon whom the co.amand devolved, for the conduct of the brig- 
 ade in the evening. 
 
 It would give me pleasure to mention thedistinguished valor exhib- 
 ited by many officers and men throughout the action, but the limits 
 of this report will not permit it, and, by implicnlion, injustice might 
 be done to others not named. With but few individual exception?, 
 the whole command did credit to the noble State which sent it into the 
 field, and added new lustre to the cause for which it fought. 
 
 To the regimental commanders, and to Lieutenant Colonel Hall, 
 cf the forty-fifth, and Major McGuire, of the thirty-second, wh'> 
 respectively commanded the skirmishers, I cheerfully accord the 
 highest meed of praise for bravery and skill. In the death of Colonel 
 Lillard, the country lost one of her best men and bravest soldiers, and 
 his Command an officer whose place cannot be supplied. I feel deeply 
 the loss of Colonel Palmer's services in the field, for with him on the 
 right, the gallant Cook in the centre and the brave Lillard on the left. 
 I lelt tlie utmost confidence in the unvarying steadiness of my line. 
 
 I beg leave to refer you.to the accompanying reports of my regi- 
 mental commanders (marked A, B, C, D and E) for detailed accounts 
 of the part borne by those several commands. 
 
 I cannot close without expressing my obligations to the members of 
 my staff, Captain II. .J. Cherry, A. A. G.; Captain tiid. II. Low, 
 A. A. Inspector General, and Lieutenant James T. Brown, A. D. C, 
 for the services rendered by them during the entire engagement, 
 ilore gallant men could not be found. They discharged their several 
 duties with a degree ol fidelity and intrepidity which mere language 
 cannot reward. Major B. P. Roy, A. Q. M. General ; Major B. F. 
 Carter, A. C. S. ; Dr. James F. Grant, brigade surgeon, and Liea- 
 tecant Mark S. Cockrille, ordnance officer, performed their several 
 duties with an efficiency and zeal deserving the highest praise. I am 
 also indebted to George B. McCallum and M. A. Carter, acting stefl 
 officers, for valuable and efficient assistance on the field throughout 
 the battle. 
 
 I have the honor to be. Major, 
 
 Most respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. C. BROWN, Brgadier Gcmral. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL B. G. IIUMPIIREYS 
 
 ITkadquarters Bkh.ade, } 
 Siar Chattanooga, Tenn., October S. 1863. j 
 
 'i Major J. M. GooftiN, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 Ma^'or : In obedience to orders, I have the honor to make the fol- 
 lowing report of the part taken by this brigade in the action of the 
 iJ'ith of September: 
 
 The brigade arrived on the battle-field, at Alexander's bridge, at 
 two o'clock, A. JI., on the 2(lth, from western Virginia. About ten 
 o'clock General Kershaw ordered me into line of battle on his left. 
 Heavy firing was heard in our front, when we advanced in line 
 parallel to the Lafayette road. Crossing tho road, we found the 
 enemy on a hill at the edge of an old field. General Kershaw at 
 once engngod him and drove him from his position. At this time 
 (jeneral Bushrod Johnson rode up to me and requested me to move 
 rcy brigade to General Kershaw's right, as tlic enemy were massing 
 in that diicction and threatening a flank movement. I immediately 
 moved to General Kershaw's right, met the enemy in force, drove in 
 his skirmishers and found him entrenched on a hill with artillery. 
 After engaging him ami reconnoitering his position, I found it impos- 
 sible to drive him from it. 
 
 I immediatel}' informed General Longstreetof the enemy's position 
 and Btrenglli, and received orders from him to hold my position with- 
 out advancing, while be sent a division to attack him on the right and 
 left. The attack on my left was first made, with doubtful success; the 
 attack on my right was successful, driving the enemy from his posi- 
 tion in gicat confusion. It was now dark, and no further pursuit 
 WAS made. 
 
 I refer you to the accompanying lists of casualties. The brigad- 
 captured during the day over four hundred prisoners, five stands of 
 colors and twelve hundred small arms. 
 
 On the 22d, learning that a party of the enemy was on the moun- 
 tnin, near the gap at Rossville, 1 detached thirty men from the eigh- 
 teenth regiment, and the command of Ciiptain Katclifl", company A, 
 and Lieutenant Ottonburg, of company K, to skirmish for them. They 
 succeeded in capturing nine olScers and one hundred and twenty men. 
 making a total of prisoners captured by the brigade, thirty-seven 
 officers and five hundred and thirty-five men. 
 
 The individual cases of gallantry and daring among the oflicers and 
 nirn were numerous, and where all behaved so well it is unnecessary 
 to particularize. I cannot conclude this report without paying a 
 tribute of admiration to the bearing and dauntless courage of Briga- 
 ilier General Kershaw and his bravo I'alinetto boys, who have so long 
 and 80 often fought side by side with the Mississippi troops. The 
 gttlUnt and heroic daring with which they met the shock of battle, 
 
 \ 
 
173 
 
 and irresis-.ibly drove back the Federal hosts, merits the highest 
 encomiums and lasting |»r3titudc of the army and the country. 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant. 
 
 BENJAMIN G. IlUMrilREYS. 
 
 BrigcJhr General commanding. 
 
JlErORT OF BRIGADIER GEJ^ERAL J. B. KERSHAW. 
 
 IIkaDQ CARTERS KeRSIIAW's BriGABE, > 
 
 Near Chattanooga, October 15, 1S63, ) 
 
 SI:ijor J, M. Gor.iaN, 
 
 Assistant Jdjvlant General: 
 
 Major: I res"pcctfullj submit the following report of the operations 
 of rny own and Ilumi^hreya' brigade in the late battle of Ghickamau^a. 
 The mention of the liitter brigade is necessarily general, from the 
 fact that General Humphreys" report did not pass through me, and, 
 being on foot during the engAgement, I couM only assume a verjr 
 general command. 1 respectfully refer to the report of General Hum- 
 phreys for more particular information of his movements. 
 
 At midnight, on the 18th of September, the last of my brigade 
 arrived at the terminus of the railroad near Catoosa station, and next 
 morning marched, under orders from the General commandir.g, to 
 Ringgold, at which place the command united with that of Brigadier 
 (icneral Humphreys. About nightfall orders were received from the 
 Lieutcn/lnt General commanding to join General Hood with the com- 
 mand. Conducted by Colonel Dillard, we moved at once across 
 Alexander's bridge over Chickamauga creek, and bivouacked at one 
 o'clock, A. M., on the 20th. At nine o'clock we were ordered by the 
 Lieutenant General commanding to a position in reserve to Hood's 
 division, near the headquarters of the commanding General. About 
 cloven o'clock I was ordered forward with the command to report to 
 Major General Hood. Arriving, I found his troops engaged in front, 
 and a line of battle just going in. General Hood directed mn to 
 form line in his rear, with my centre resting on the spot whi'ie I 
 found him, which I suppose was his centre. Forming line, Hum- 
 phreys on my le!t, as rapidly as possible, under fire of the enemy, 
 and in a thick wood, I moved as directed ro the front. I had been 
 directed to occupy a line of breastworks, but, before reaching that 
 point, a«Btaff officer of the Lieutenant General commanding wn-i sent 
 to direct me to a point further in advance 1 crossed the Liifiyette 
 road near a house, and, crossing the open ground, entered the voods 
 beyomi, and proceeded nearly to what I understood to be the Cove 
 road. While passing through the last wood Lieutenant (Jeneral 
 Longstreet directed me to look out for my right flank, and I had dis- 
 posed of Colonel Ilenuagan'^ eighth Souih Carolina, my right regi- 
 ment, in such a manner as to cover mo in that ilirection as I su|'posed. 
 Having reached the point last mentioned, the firing on my light brcame 
 Tery heavy, and a portion of General Hood's division fell h:ick nlong 
 niy line. 1 changed front almost perpendicularly to the right ou ('olo- 
 nel I^ance's third South Carolina reginmit, my left centre, ^\hic:h I had 
 indicated as the directing battalion. This movement had just been 
 aecompliehed when an olficer of Brigadier General Law's staft informed 
 me of the unfortunate loss of Major General Hood, and euggetited 
 
175 
 
 fhut, as senior brigadier, I should assume the direction of the two 
 brigades of that division on my right. Gci^ral Bushrod Johnson was 
 present and called for a comparison of rank, which seemed to satisfy 
 Lim. Major Cunningham, assistant inspector general, General Hood's 
 staff, who had been sent by the General tu conduct mo, made the oppor- 
 tune soggestJon that the Lieutenant General commanding be informed. 
 Relieved by this, I re^iuested him to direct General llumphreys to 
 move up and support me on my right, he having been thrown in 
 my rear by my change of front. General Johnson had undertaken to 
 advance a brigade on my left. The enemy occupied a skirt of wood 
 en the far sijle of the field around Dyer's house ; his right extending 
 into the wood beyond the field, his left crossing the Cove road. His 
 colors were ostentatiouely displayed along the lines. The last of 
 Hood's division engaged in my front had just retired, when I ordered 
 the atlvance, directing Colonel Hennagan to extcLd to the right and 
 engage the enemy in that direction until Humphreys' arrival, who was 
 t'aen in motion. The distance across the field was about eight hun- 
 dred yards, with a fence intervening about one quarter of the distance. 
 As soon as we crossed the fence I ordered bayonets fixed, and moved 
 at a double-quick, sending Lieutenant Colonel Gailiard's second South 
 Carolina regiment, my extreme left, to gain the enemy's right flank. 
 When within one hundred yards of the enemy they broke, and I 
 opened fire upon them along the whole Mae, but pursued them rapidly 
 over the first line of hills to the foot of the second, when I halt"d 
 under a heavy fire of artillery on the heiglits, theltering the men as 
 much as possible, and there awaited the coming of Humphreys on my 
 right. The seventh South Carolina, Lieutenant Colonel Bland, my 
 right centre regiment, and the fifteenth South Carolina Lieutenant 
 Colonel Joseph F. Gist, had obliqued to the right. Colonel Henna- 
 gan had pursued the enemy so far to the right that, when Humphreys 
 got up, he occupied the interval between the fifteenth and eighth regi- 
 ments. Colonel Gates, fifteenth Alabama, Law's brigade, came up 
 oa the right of the seventh and occupied the line between that and 
 the fifteenth, and with those regiments advanced without orders. I 
 had sent to the right to direct that I should be informed when Hum- 
 phreys arrived. 
 
 Hearing the firing renewed on my right, I advanced the left wing, 
 third South Carolina, James battalion and second South Carolina, and 
 gained, in some points, the crest of the hill within a few yards of the 
 enemy's lines. After one of the most gallant struggles I have ever 
 witnessed, especially on_the part of the third South Carolina and 
 James' battalion, which occupied a position in front of the enemy's 
 battery, I was cotnpelled to fall back to a point about two luuidred 
 and fifty yards, where I determined to hold the enemy until rcinforcs* 
 incnt« arrived. The enemy soon advanced, but, by a cool, delil>erato 
 fire, were quickly repulsed. General Humphreys reported tliiit he 
 could make no further advance on account of the heary force of the 
 ♦•ripmy to his right. I directed him to mako such disposition of bis 
 - as would cover ray right f.ank. About three o'clock Brigadier 
 al Andersons Mississippi brigade came to my support. I 
 
i\<:»CTi\>e(\ to him the situation, and suggested an attack on the right 
 flank of the position of li^e enemy, llo acquiesced in iny view and 
 advanced his left preparatory to the movement, covering his front with 
 ekirmishers, who immediately became engaged, and drove in those of 
 the enemy ; but, raising a shout along their lines, they advanced their 
 line of battle at a charge, driving back Anderson's brigade in some 
 confusion. With hearty cheers the second and third South Carolina 
 and James' battalion engaged them with the utmost enthusiasm : 
 Anderson's brigade promptly reformed and opened fire. His reserve 
 regiment came up, and, in ten minutes time, the enemy was driven 
 pell-mell. The second South Carolina and Anderson's brigade dashed 
 after him and drove him to the top of the hill, the second South 
 Carolina reaching the crest. The troops to his left having fallen back 
 to their former position. Lieutenant Colonel Gaillard says in his 
 report that " he was obliged, reluctantly, to fall back." This was an 
 attack on the right flank of the enemy, and the line was at an oblique 
 angle to my line. All of my regiments, except the second, though 
 not participating in the direct attack, served to hold the enemy in 
 position along that portion of the line, and were mostly engaged 
 during the attack. About'four o'clock Gracie'e and Kelly's brigades 
 came up and reported to me. I directed them, the former to form on 
 my rear, and the latter to form on Oracle's left. General Ilindman 
 informed me that he was aboUt to attack on Anderson's left, well on 
 the right flank of the enemy, with two ^brigades of infantry, with 
 artillery. Soon after, he opened heavily in that direction, but sent 
 me word the attack was likely to fail unless a demonstration was made 
 along the front. 1 determined on an attack, combining all our forces. 
 McNair's brigade, which bad come up on my right, Gracie's. Kelly's, 
 Anderson's, my eighth, fifteenth and second regiments participating. 
 The rest of my brigade being, in whole or in part, out oframmuni- 
 tion, remained in reserve at their position. This was one of the 
 heaviest attacks of the war on a single point. The brigades went in 
 in magnificent order; General Gracie, under my own eye, led his 
 brigade, now for the first time under fire, most gallantly and cfiiciently ; 
 and, for more than an hour and a half, the struggle continued with 
 unabated fury. It terminated at sunset — the secoml South Carolina 
 being among the last to retire. At dark General Robinson, of Hood's 
 division, came up with bis brigade and picketed to my front. About 
 ten o'clock, I think, he informed me that tho enemy had left. I imme- 
 diately communicated the fact to the Lieutenant General commanding. 
 ]n the morning General Robinson withdrew, and I sent forward 
 Lieutenant Colonel Gaillard to take possession of the enemy's hospital 
 and to picket to the front. The day was spent in caring for the 
 wounded, burying the dead and collecting arms. In the afternoon 
 Major General McLaws resumed command of the division. My 
 brigade was marched a few miles that night towards Chattanooga, and 
 next day drove in the enemy to their present lines, in conjunction 
 with Woflford's brigade, my eighth South Carolina being chiefly 
 engaged. But few men were lost in this affair. During the first 
 charge of the 2i)th my brigade captured nine pieces of artillery. 
 
177 
 
 throe of which were taken by the eighth South C»roliua, and some 
 half dozen caissons, with ammunition. Most of those wcre_ taken 
 before tliey could open firo. My losses were fcoavy, as will be seen by 
 reference to the accompanying; detailed report Among tlicra are 
 Bome of the most gallant and efficient offic'.^rs and men of my com- 
 mand, and choice spirits of Caridina chivalry. Lieutenant Colonel 
 Elbert Bland, eavcnth South Carolina, fell at the head of his regiment 
 in the first moment of our triumph. A fow moraentR later. Major 
 John S Hard, his successor, was instai;tly killed. The command 
 then devolved on Captain E J. Gogein. Captain J M. Townsend, 
 Cf'Uimanding James' battalion, was killed, leading the charge u;^on 
 the entray's stronghold. ]..ieuteria!it Colonel lioole, eighth South 
 Carolina regiment, was killed in the early part of the action. Lieu- 
 tenant ColoiK.d BUnd was recognized generally tvs an officer of rare 
 sbiiity. Ills power of command, his cool, d*untless courage and 
 Btif-control in battle, his excellent judgment, disciplinary skill and 
 ability in camp, marked him as a man of a high order of military 
 talent. His per.^onal and social characteristics were equally noble 
 and elevated. In him we have lost a champion worthy of our glorious 
 cause. Major John S. Hard was a gallant and accomplished officer, 
 and has highly distinguished himself on every battie-ficld in which 
 his rfgiment has been engaged. Captain Townsend commanded his 
 battalion, on this occasion, in such a manner as to elicit my cimmea- 
 diition on the field, b'-fore he fell, and would, if he were living, have 
 been here mentioned with high distinction Lieutenant Colonel Hoole 
 ■Whs an officer ot much merit, hut has been prevented by protracted 
 illness from attaining that distinction he might have achieved with 
 his gallant regiment. He was much beloved for his persoiral qualiticH, 
 and Lis loss will he deeply depb.red by his comrades. For particular 
 loeniion tf other brave spirits who have fallen, I respectfully refer to 
 the accompanying reports of regimental coinraanders My pride and 
 caiisiaction with the conduct of my entire brigade, in the engage- 
 in-:'^, could not be more complete. Officers and men, each acted as if 
 impressed with the feeling that the destinies of the country depended 
 upon his o«n faithful, earnest and intelligent discbarge of duty. I 
 shall Dot attempt to particularize. 
 
 The only member of my staff with me duriiig the wtfole day was 
 Captain C U Holmes, A. A. G. To him, as on all previous occa- 
 sioiiS of this character, 1 am greatly indebted for the most valuable and 
 gallant services. He represented me on the right wing of my brigade. 
 I detailed Second Lieutenant H. L. Tarley to act as aid-de camp, 
 and cannot too highly commend his gallantry, activity and efficiency 
 under the mo.st trying circumntanceB. As an evidence of my apprecia- 
 tiiri, 1 detailed him to accompany the captured flxgs to Richmond. 
 Lieutenant \V. M. Dwight, A A. and 1. G., joined me in the after- 
 noon and aided mc with his nsaal efficiency. • 
 
 In the absence of horses f.)r myself and staff, I detailed one man 
 
 from each regiment as orderlies to communicate with the command. 
 
 All of them rendered efficient service, and two, M. Y. Milan, company 
 
 A, third South Carolina rcgiinent, and Rawlins Rirere, company I, 
 
 12 
 
178 
 
 second South Carolina regiment, wer« liillcd in the diacbarge of that 
 duty. Rivera had attracted mj notice by gnllant and intelligent eer- 
 ricea in the same position at the battle of Fredericksburg. 
 I have the honor to be, 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. B. KERSHAW, 
 Brigadier General commanding. 
 
REPORT OF COLONEL C. C. WILSO-N, COMMANDING 
 BRIGADE. 
 
 IlEtDQUARTERS WiL'^on's BrIB^DE, t 
 
 Missionary Ridge, Oct. I, I6^i. \ 
 
 Captain Joseph B. Cumminc, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 Captain: It was not until one o'clock on Friday night, the ISth 
 instant, that my brigade succeeded in crossing Shaelan ford, on the 
 Ohickamauga river, the road having been blocked up by the vragona 
 and artillery traint of the brigades and divisions which preceded as 
 on the march. We bivouacked on the west side of the river that 
 uight, prepared to follow our division on the next day's march. Tha 
 ordnance train of the division not having succeeded in crossing 
 Friday ni^hf. I was directed by special order from division headijuir- 
 ters to remain with the train, holding my t)rigade as a guard until it 
 had cro.jjcd, and then to rejoin the division. I immediately detached 
 the thirtieth Georgia regiiaont and sent it to the ford as a guard to 
 ♦hat portion of the train that hal n.>t crossed, anil to furnish fiitigue 
 parties to help forward disabled or stalled wagons, having first recon- 
 uoitred the po^'ilion and thrown out two companies on each road lead- 
 ing to the for.l to guird agiinst suprise by the enemy. Aboat nine 
 /clock, A. M., the whole train had crossed and was put in motion, 
 >ith the twenty-fifth tieorgia and a section ot the battery a'lead ai an 
 advance guard and the rest of the bnga le in rear. In '.his ord«r we 
 had i;iarched about two milfs from the fi.rd. to ihe intersection of the 
 road from Alexander's bridge with the road to Le- & Gordon's mill, 
 whfn I received, from one of General Korrest'* staff, an order from 
 diki-ion headquarters, directing me to go witii (ieneral Forrest ani 
 fbey his ordi-ra. The train was thervopon si-nt forward alone, and 
 the brigade filed to the right on the Alexander's bridge road, con- 
 ducted by the ptaff officer wlio h«d brought me the order One com- 
 paiiy. however, of the thirtieth (Jeorgia ngim'-nt. which had beea 
 thrown out as Bkinnishera from the ford, h I'l not yet ovcrtiken he 
 regiment, and did not uiitil the fight wa^ over, but fell in on the left of 
 Gennral Ector 8 brigade, and behaved gallantly, as I atn informod, 
 durifig the engagem-nt of that day. This was company B. Captain 
 Hitch. Kidittg forward with General Forrest, he informed me that 
 the enemy, in considerable force, were engaging his cavalry to the 
 right and front of my position, and he directed me to select a posi'ion 
 mod form lino of battle on the left of the roail. 1 formed my line on 
 the ridge of the long Lill which, from the northeast, overlook* and 
 commands the plain whore oui first encounter with the enemy took 
 place, posting the artillery by sections on the most elevated position* 
 and opposite to the intervals between rt>giment«. We had not 
 remained in this position long when an order frooi General Forrest 
 loformed me that the enemy 'wcre pressing him sorely in front, and 
 
ISO 
 
 directed me to move npon his left. Tbis order was promptly cxo- 
 cntcd, the brigade rioving ofT by the right flunk, and filing up the 
 Aieiander's bridge road about three-eighths of a mile was formed 
 forward into line. The line t\-:\8 scarctly formed when firing com- 
 menced on the left. The order wns given to move forward :U once, 
 and the line stepped off with the enthusiasm of high hope and patriotic 
 determination and the precision and accuracy which only disciplined 
 and instructed troops can attain. The enemy's skirmishers were 
 encountered at once and driven in on their first line, which opened 
 upon us a terrific fire. Steadily the line moved forward and poured 
 into the enem\"g ranks a wtUdirectod fire, which very soon caused 
 his line to break and fly from thi- field in c infusion, lcavir;g dead and 
 wounded covering the field over which we marched. The command 
 still pressed forward on the retreating foe, and soon encountered a 
 second line of battle, which seemed to have been drawn up three or 
 four hundred yards in rear of the first; then again the contest was 
 renewed with great energy, and the position di puted with stubborn 
 resolve. The firing at this point was terrific, and many brave olficers 
 and men fell while gallantly discharging their duties. For a time 
 our lino wavered, and the overwhelming force of the enemy seemed 
 determined to drive us from tho field. Rallying from the shock of 
 this new encounter, our line agiun moved forwunl with determination 
 and energy, and finally succeeded in driving back the enemy's second 
 line in confusion to his breastworks, which had been erected of fallun 
 trees about four hundred yards in rear of his second lino. At this 
 time an order from General Forrest directed me not to press the cneiuj 
 further, but in tho meantime our lino had come within range of the 
 breastworks, from which a constant and galling fire was poured into 
 oiH" ranks, and a heavy force was moving around our left flank. 1 at 
 once despatched one ot my staff to General Ector, who 1 knew was a 
 short distance in our rear, with a n quest that he would move up on 
 my left. But before my messenger reached him, General Forrest 
 had ordered his brigade to the rigiit — a positiou held up to thai time 
 by the cavalry. In the meantime the enemy, having tunned my left, 
 poured an enhlading fire into our thinned ranks, and compelled the 
 whole left of the line to fall buck, including the thirtieth Georgia 
 regiment, which occupied the centre. Observing this movement, i;ud 
 presfied by a galling tire in front, the right of the line, made up of the 
 twenty-filth and twenty-ninth Georgia regiments, began slowly to fall 
 back. 'I his movement having been promptly arrested, 1 passed 
 towards the left with a view of rallying the rest of the brig;ide, and 
 succeeded in restoring some order to ilie thinned ranks of the thirtieth 
 Georgia, when 1 discovered the enemy still pressing around the left 
 towards an open field, through which our liuo had advanced. I there- 
 upon directed Lieutenant Colonel Eoynton, then commanding the 
 thirtieth Georgia, to f.dl back a little further to a wood on the left of 
 the road, intending to reform on it. While this was being dono. 
 General Ector's brigade went in on tho right of my lino and the 
 twenty-fifth and twenty-ninth Georgia regiments went with this brig- 
 ade again into the action, and remained with it during the fight of 
 
ISl 
 
 that Irigsdc, and tKe sliarpsbooters nod Louisiana battalion were 
 rallied and rcf'irraed iu rear of other troops of our division, wliicb at 
 this time had come up to our relief. Having been reformed and our 
 cartridge-boxes replenished, the brigade took up ils position agiin, 
 remained on the batilc field that night, and moved with the division 
 next d:ij. 
 
 During the action of fhia day, (Sunday, the 20th instant,) il was 
 not our fortune to be much engaged. Our ranks had been much 
 reduced, and we mustered not over four hundred an! fifty aggregate. 
 About twelve, M., the right of our lice having advanced some distance, 
 we engaged the enemy in a thick wood, about half a mile from the 
 Chattanooga road, in connection with General Gist's brigade, which 
 was ia front of us, and General Ector's, which was in our rear. At 
 this time the three brigades were occupying the same line nearly, and 
 this arrangement necessarily resulted in some confusion. After a 
 Tery unsatisfactory Cght, lasting probably forty-five minutes, and in 
 which we lost some valuable officers and a few men. we were ordered 
 to fall back and reform. This was accomplished, the line falling 
 back a few hundred yardsi, where we remained until about five, P. M., 
 when the line was reformed, with General Gist's brigade on the right, 
 <jeneral Ector's on the loft and mine in the centre — the division being 
 under command of Gen. Gist — and advanced to the last charge, meet- 
 ing, however, no enemy, and having the Satisfaction of taking up our 
 bivouac upon the f; -Id from which our enemy had been driven in con- 
 fusion. This brigade entered the fcght with an effective force of 
 twelve hundred men, and lost, during the two days' fighting, ninety- 
 nine killed, four hundred and twenty-sis wounded and eighty missing. 
 Of the number missing, many were wounded and fell into the enemy's 
 hands, but were recaptured with the field hospital he had established 
 near the battlc-ficll. Of the number wounded several have since 
 died, among them Lieutenant Colonel A. J Williams, commanding 
 twenty-fifth Georgia regiment, a brave and gallant officer, to whom 
 muih praise is due for his conduct on the field, lie fell at his post 
 Bad in the efficient discharge of his duties. 
 
 A list of killed and wounlcd officers having been furnished, I deem 
 it unnecessary to embody it in this report. I may be permitted to 
 iay. however, that among them were numbered the bravest, the truest 
 Knd the best. Where all behaved so well, it would be invidious to draw 
 distinctions. I know of no instance in which any officer shrunk from 
 the discharfrc of his duty, and in mentioning a few who fell under my 
 own obEcrvation I do not mean to disparage those who did not. I 
 notice, as worthy of commendation, the cases of Captains A. W. and 
 A. U. Smith, of the twenty-fifih Georgia regiment, and Captain 
 Spencer, of the twcnty-nint*i Georgia regiment. Lieutenants Allred 
 Bryant aad A IJ Sadler, of the first battalion Georgia sharpshooters, 
 who, notwithstanding they were wounded, remained wi'h their com- 
 mands through the fight and discharged their duties to ihe end. I 
 respectfully ask the favorable consideration of the Major General 
 VSomraanding to ih"^ cases of mj assistant a Ijutant ani m'^pector general. 
 First Lieatenant Robert Wajne, and of my acting assieuat adjuunt 
 
133 
 
 general, Firct Lieutenant R. E. Lester. The first was seriously 
 iroun<icci in the leg whilst in the Kiischarge of his duties, and Lieu- 
 tennnt Lester wns wounded in the he^d and abdomen, under the snme 
 circumstarces, and had two horses killed under him. They were 
 both conspiruous in the fight, riding fearlessly along the line in the 
 tbickeBt of it, distributing orders, rallying the men when broken, 
 and fretting an example to all of courage and devotion, ard of a cool 
 and intelligent discharge of duty under the most trying cirenmstsncef. 
 worthy of all rommendaiion. I acknowledge myself greatlj indebted 
 to them. 1 reppi ctfuUy aek their promotion to the mnk of captiiins 
 in the department in which they are serving. I alfo tnke great plea- 
 sure in noticing the cases of First Lieutenant G R. McRae, adjutant 
 of the twi nty-ninth Georgia regiment, who wns conspicuous in the 
 fight, encouraging his men and rallying them when broken, and who, 
 being It-ft senior offiaer after the first engagement, assumed command 
 of the broken remnants, and gallantly led them in again on the lettcf 
 Ginersl Ector's brigade. 
 
 Duiing the first day's fighting many prisoners were taken, but they 
 were turned over at once and no account Isept of them, and many 
 were sent to the rear without a guard, not having men to spare for 
 that purpose. One section of my battery alore was able to get into 
 position, and did some service. The enemy had r.o artillery in cur 
 front, and we took no pieces. The field was not such as to render 
 artillery useful. 
 
 In addition to the officers above named who. being wounded, 
 remained on the field, I will add the name of First Lieutenant A. II. 
 Ilarrell, company II, twenty-ninth Georgia regiment. About one 
 o'clock Sunday afternoon private Thomas Henderson, company A, 
 fourth Louisiana battalion, was cafitured by the enemy — he being in 
 advance of his battalioi — but when the rout of the enemy commenced 
 made his escape from his guard, and, ("eizing a rifle, on his return to 
 our lines captured and brought in six of the enemy as prisonerp, 
 dtdivering theui to the guard of Brigadier General Bate. 
 
 I am, Captain, very respectfully, jour obt-dient servant, 
 
 C C. WILSON, 
 Colonel commanding Brigade. 
 
REPORT OF COLONEL A. J. VAUGIIAN, COMMANDING 
 BRIGADE. 
 
 BntGADE ITEADaCAKTERS IN FlELt), ) 
 
 In front of Chattanooga, Tcnnes';ee, October 4, 1863. f 
 
 Major J. G. PoHTtr., 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 Major : I beg leave to submit the following report of tbe action of 
 General Preston Smith's hrignde, (composed of the one hundred and 
 fifty-fourth and thirteenth Tennessee regiments, under command of 
 Colonel A. J. Vaughan, Jr ; twelfth and forty-seventh Tennef'sec 
 regiments, under command of Colonel W. M. Watkius; eleventh Ten- 
 nesBce regiment, under command of Colonel G. W. Gordon ; twenty- 
 ninth Tennessee regiment, under command of Colonel Horace Rice , 
 Scott's battery, under command of First Lieutenant John H. Marsh ; 
 «nd a battalion of sharpshooters, composed of two companies from 
 the twelfth and forty- seventh Tennessee regiments, one from the one 
 hundred and fifty-fourth Tennessee regiment, one from tbe eleventh 
 and one from the twenty-ninth Tennessee regiments, under command 
 of Major J. W. Dawson, one hundred and fifty-fourth senior Tenne«?ee 
 regiment, and M.ijor William Green, eleventh Tennessee regiment,) 
 Cbeatham"s division, Polk's corps, army of Tennessee, in the battle 
 of Chickamauga and the occupation of Missionary ridge, on the 19th, 
 litth, 21st and 22nd days of September, 1863: 
 
 On tbe evening of the 1 7th September orders were received to 
 move General Preston Smith's brigade out on the Ringgold road to 
 the intersection of Lee & Gordon's mill road, thence to Rock Spring 
 church, where we bivouacked for the night in line of battle. 
 
 Early on the morning of the ISth of September we were ordered 
 to move forward in the direction of the ford below Lee & Gordon's 
 mill, on West Chickamauga. Our advance during the day was very 
 slow, having to wait for Buckncr's corps to pass to the front and effect 
 a crossing of the creek, which they succeeded in doing about dark, 
 after heavy skirmishing. We bivouacked at night, in line of battle, 
 half a mile south of West Chickamauga. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 10th September the brigade moved 
 forward, crossed the creek, and foriucd in line of battle on the left of 
 Jackson's brigade. As soon as the division effected a crossing, w» 
 moved forward nenr a mile, and formed line in similar order in rear 
 of Buckner'i corps. We remained in this position a short time, 
 when we received orders to move by the right flank, in double-quick, 
 to the support of General Walker, who for some time had been 
 actively engaging the enemy. On arriving at the scene of action, 
 we found General Walker atontly resisted, and his command much 
 cxh*nsted from long and continued action. We were ordered to form 
 line immediately. Formed, as before, on left of General Jackson'* 
 brigade. At soon as formed, we were ordered to adraoce and engag* 
 
1S4 
 
 the enemy. AVc advanced but a short distance before ^o met the 
 enemy, advancing. We engaged hira at once and furiously drove 
 him bi'fore us six or eight hundred j«rda, forcing him to take sholior 
 behind the breastworks from which he. had advanced in the morning. 
 We moved steadily forward until within mu^ket-rangc of their works, 
 and, notwithsianding we were subjected to a severe and concentrated 
 fiic both of musketry and artillery, the brigade kept up a steady and 
 determined fire until the supply of ammunition was nearly exhausted. 
 General Sniith, being apprised of this, immoiiiately informed General 
 Cheatham of the fact, at the same time assuring him he was able to 
 hold the position until he could forwnrd a brigade to his relief. Gen- 
 eral Strahl was ordered forward. As soon as he occupied General 
 Smith's position. General Smith withdrew his brigade, moved some . 
 four hundred yards to the rear, and reformed his line. 
 
 Inuring this engagement, beginning at about twelve o'clock, M , 
 and closing about two o'clock, P. M., the otticors and men of the dif- 
 ferent regiments of the brigade acted with conspicuous gallantry, 
 dischargii!g every duty and responding to every order, with commen- 
 dable promptness.' 
 
 Since all ucted so v.ell, I canrot particularise. Scott's battery, 
 ur.dtr First Lieutenant John II. Marsh, advanced with the brigade, 
 and took position, as ordered, under a heavy and destructive fire of 
 the enemy, so much so, that a number of 'men and horses were dis- 
 abled before the battery was placed for action. Immediately a rapid 
 and well directed fire was opened upon the enemy, with tilling effect 
 upon his fiu.ks. This fire was vigorously maintained until the brig- 
 ade was relieved and ordered to the rear. It was in this engagement 
 that First Lieutenant John II. Marsh was severely, if not danger- 
 ously, wounded, while gallantly encouraging his men and ins])iiing 
 them by his own distinguished coolness and heroism The command 
 then devolved upon Second Lieutenant A. T. Watson, who, through- 
 out the cng.igcment, acted with commendable bravery. 
 
 In bringing on the engagement and in driving the enemy the 
 battalion of sharpshooters did efficient service, both ofGcers and men 
 acting well their parts. 
 
 Afier supplying the command with ammunition and taking position 
 as ordered, it was found that Scott's battery was so disabled, by /the 
 loss of men and horses, as to be unfit for action during the evening. 
 Turner's battery, of Maney's brigade, was ordered to report to Gen- 
 eral Smith. It was placed on the right of the brigade, and did 
 effective service in checking the second advance of the enemy. 
 Throughout the evening Lieutenant Turner poured a murderous firo 
 into the enemy's ranks, his coolness and disregard of danger eliciting 
 the highest praise from the officers and men of the entire brigade. 
 It was while supporting this battery that Major Da Tson, one hundred 
 and fifty-fourth senior Tennessee regiment, in command of the bat- 
 talion of sharpfhooters, was severely wounded in the groin. 
 
 The enemy, finding it impossible to drive us from our position, 
 selUnly retired out of range, and comparative quiet prevailed along 
 our line until six o'clock, P. M., when General Smith, being informed 
 
185 
 
 that & nigiU attack wns deterniiDe(j upon, was orJereJ, so Foon a^ 
 (.leDcral Desliler's brigade of Major General Cleburne's division 
 Bhoul''. advance to his front, to move his brigade forward as Gencr.il 
 Besliler's support. After hnving advanced in this order some tvct 
 hundred yards, tiic engngcment uas commenced on the right and 
 fxtended to DeHhler'e brigide in our front. Advancinjj a .short dis- 
 tance further, it beinfr quite dark, a portion of this brigade became 
 Komewhut confused and fell back on our line. General Smith ordered 
 thera to move forward, which order was obeyed. We continued to 
 advance but a short liii-tance, whtn tliey a second time ffll back on 
 our lice and were again urged forwtird by General Smith. Instead 
 of movi!ig direct to the front, they obli'|!ied to the left and uncovered 
 the two right regiments of Gonernl Smith's brigade. In the darknee.'. 
 General Smith did not know this, and a third time coming upon 
 troops at a halt in his immediate front, presuming them to belong to 
 irencral Deshler's command, he and Captain Thomas 11. King, volun- 
 teer aid, rode to the front to ascertain the delay. On riding up to 
 the line (which proved to be the enemy^ and asking who was in com- 
 mand of these troops, he was discovered to be a Confederate oiTicer, 
 ■nd he and Captsfin King were both .killed. I at the fame time wan 
 in front of ray regiraents. accompanied by Captain Ponolson, acting 
 sBsistant sdjutant general to General Smith, to know the cause of tic 
 rfelay of what I supposed to be a portion of General Deshler's cora- 
 laand. Riding up to a soldier, 1 asked bin to what command ho 
 belonged. Discovering that I was a Confederate officer, he fired at 
 me, missing me, but killing Captain Donclson. who was by my side. 
 1 immediately ordered some files from the twelfth Tecncssce rcgiirent 
 to shoot him, which they di I, killing hira instantly. The line in 
 f-ont. seriticr their situation, cried out, " Don't shoot ; we surrender." 
 J th" n r<^'if forward, and found thera in the act of grounding their 
 ariTis. I';.-oovering a stand of colors in my front, I asked, '• Who 
 bag those colors ?" The reply was, " The color-bearer." I then 
 ►aid, "Sir. to what ccmmand do you belong ?" lie replied, " To the 
 Mventy-seventh Tennpylvania regiment." I then took from him the 
 standtif colors and handed them to Captain Carthell, forty-seventh 
 .'iment, and otdcred him to turn them, with the prisoners 
 < 'it three hundred in number, over to General Cheatham. 
 
 i . ■; . i .. ;i that 1 have been thus explicit in detailing the facts 
 nnnected with the capture of the stand of colors, they were claimed 
 to have been cspturod by General Decider's command. 
 
 Being informed that General Srriith had been killed, I assumed the 
 f mmand of the brigade, the command of my regiment devolving 
 upon Lieutenant C(donel R. W. I'it'.raan 
 
 After this there was no more filing of consequence. Orders were 
 received from M:ijor General Cheatham to bivouac in line of battle 
 for the reni-iinder of the night. 
 
 On the 2<ilh my brigade was not actively en;-aged. bring held M > 
 reserve. Wo were, however, eubjectcd to a heavy aitillery fire, kill- 
 ing and wounding several men. Lute in the evening we were ordered 
 to the extreme right, where* wc remained until the morning of the 
 
186 
 
 Jldt September. I then ordered the battalion of sharpshooters, under 
 cominan'l of Mtjors (jreen and Pearl, to deploy (bo as to cover th'> 
 front of my bri^nde) and move as far as the top of Missionary ridge, 
 or discover the whereabouts of the enemy In a short time, they 
 reported the etniny in the valley around Chattanooga. 
 
 At three o'chick, V M , we were ordered to the e.xtretne right of 
 the line, and bivoua<kcd for the nijjht near Byrd's mill. 
 
 On the morning of the "22nd of September we moved, on the Shal- 
 lon ford roa<l, iu the ilircction of Chatt.-vuooga. When we arriveil at 
 the foot of Missionary ridge, we formed line of battle on the left of 
 General Maney's brigade and advanced to the top of the ridge, meet- 
 ing with but little resistsnce, thoagh »he enemy were strongly posted. 
 
 Accouipanving this will be found the reports of the several regi- 
 mental co(Dm:inders, M:ijor William Green, commanding battalion 
 of sharp-hooters, anil Lieutenant A T. Watson, commamling Scott's 
 battery, of the action taken by their respective commands, to which 
 1 inviie your attention. A list of the casualties of the brigade has 
 already been forwarded to headquarters. 
 
 I cannot close this report without alluding to the very efficient ser- 
 yice rendered me by Captain J. W. Harris, inspector general on 
 General Smith's staff, in carrying and executing all orders in the most 
 prompt manner possible. Also, Captain Emmett Cockrill, volunteer 
 aid to General Smith, deserves especial notice for the manner in which 
 he dincharged every duty assigned him. Thanks are due Major King, 
 brigade commissary, for keeping the troops so well provided with 
 rations during the campaign from Lafayette, Georgia, to this place. 
 Also, to Msjiir Ceecher, brigade quartermaster, for the efficient man- 
 ner in which our wounded were carried from the field. Thanks are 
 also due Captain Henry K. Beatty, brigade ordnance officer, for the 
 prompt and efficient manner in which the command was kept con- 
 stantly supplied with ammunition. Also, special credit is due Lien- 
 tenant J. W. Cochran, brigade provost marshal, for the promptnes* 
 and efficiency displayed in discharging the duties of his office. 
 
 Especial attention is called to Colonel Rice's report in reference to 
 the gatlant conduct of E. IL Clayton, courier to General Smith. 
 1 am, Major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 A. J. VAUGHAN. Jr., 
 
 Colonel communding. 
 
REPORT OF COLONEL C. A. SUGG, COMMANDING 
 BRIGADE. 
 
 IIfadquarters Gregg's Brigade, ) 
 Top of Mnsum Ridge, Sept. 26, 1863. ) 
 
 I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken 
 bj Gregg's brigade in the actions of Friday, Saturday and Sundav, 
 (18th, 1 0th and 3 'th instants,) while under my command : 
 
 Shortly afterfive o'clock, in the afternoon of Saturday, (19th.) the 
 brigade having then been hotly engaged for several hours, I was noti- 
 fied 'hat General Gregg had been disiibled by a severe wound in the 
 neck, and had been borne from the field, and that the command in 
 consequence devolved upon me. I accordingly reported to General 
 Johnson for orders. The brigade having fallen back, defensiv posi- 
 tions were made for the night by posting pickets in advance and con- 
 structing breastworks of logs. 
 
 At seven o'clock, the following morning, (Sunday, 2()th.) I was 
 ordered to take position in rear of McNair's and Johnson's brigadei*. 
 iji reserve. " About eleven, A. M., the division being ordered forward. 
 ■we advanced some eight hundred yards, under heavy fire, when the 
 front line first wavered, then halted, in considerable cjnfusion. It 
 soon rallied, but, after advancing about two hundred yards farther, 
 halted a second time, in the face of a heavy force of the enemy, 
 strongly posted behind breastworks of rails and fallen timber. My 
 command suffering greatly in its position in rear, I now proposed to 
 General McNair to permit me to pass to the front. He consented, 
 and my command was ordered forward and succeeded in dislodging 
 the enemy from his position, though not without heavy loss. Major 
 C. W. Robertson, commanding fiftieth Tennessee, (Lieutenant Colonel 
 Beaumont having been killrd the day before,) ^s here severely 
 wounded in the groin, while gallantly leading his regiment. Up to 
 this point all the fighting had taken place in thick cover. Steadily 
 advancing, the brigade now emerged from the timber into a cleared 
 field of considerable extent, gradually sloping down from the further 
 edge, where the enemy had posted a battery of eight guns. This 
 battery I was ordered to flank, leaving it on my right. Across the 
 op»n field the brigade charged and, supported on the right fiank. cap- 
 tured the guns. Four of these pieces, rifled guns of the Wa)d pattern 
 and three-inch calibre, belcnging to the first Mispouri (Federal) bat- 
 tery, are now appropriately in possession of the first Missouri (Bled- 
 soe's) battery, belonging to this brigade. A thickly woodid ridge in rear 
 of the captured battery, and commanding the position, was the next 
 point of attack. Ordered by General Johnson, in person, to take this 
 position, the brigade advanced to the assault, again witbont support 
 on the right. The ridge was carried, and my battery, from tbe naturt 
 of the ground, being unable to keep up, the brigade was baited upon 
 it> crest and disposed in such form as to sweep with its fire the slope* 
 tod hollows on both sides of tbe ridge and hold tbe position until 
 
183 
 
 trie artillci J coulJ come to 9ur Bupport. So soon as tlic guns arrived, 
 thev were placed in poaitiou to open firo upon ;tho enciuv's battery of 
 Ct'f pieces, covering the retreat of an nuimunition train. In a few 
 minutes the enemy's cannoneers abaniioneil their guns ; the teamsters 
 were seen cutting loose tlie horces from their traces, and the viholo 
 touk to flight, leaving both battery and train in our possession. Later 
 iu ths day, the contents of the captured wagons served to replenish 
 tae exhausted boxes of the brigade. Finding the position commanded 
 ly still another ri<ige in front, but bearing to the right, the brigade 
 was ordered forward, the position in front taken, and my battery 
 cf four guns posted so as to secure its possession, while skirmishers 
 were thrown out to ascertain the position and force of the en.iuy. 
 He Was found to be iu heavy force on the same ridge on uiy right. 
 Adjusting my line accordingly, the brigade again moved forward, 
 charging the enemy in gallant style, under a heavy fire. Here hiou- 
 tenant Colonel J. 13. Tillman, commanding fourth Tennessee, was 
 woun-led in the shoulder, while nobl}' leading his men. The enemy was 
 driven back, but rallied and returned to the attack in greater force, 
 contesting the ground with unusual obstinacy. For the want of artil- 
 Itry support, the right wing of the brigade fell back beyond the bat- 
 tery, left in the positio!\ already described, but was enabled to refirm 
 under cover of the steady fire and unbroken front maint iined by the 
 third and fiftieth Tennessee, (Colonel C. H. Walker.) and seventh 
 Texis, (Major R. M. Vanzandt,) by whom the guns were saved liom 
 capture, and to whom fiie right wing was indebted for an opportunity 
 to recover from the terhporary confusion into which it had bien thrown. 
 This being quickly elTected, and, perceiving the impos-sibility of hold- 
 ing the position, if captured, without the aid of artillery, I ordered 
 two guns to bo moved to my right, and believing that the teams would 
 be di-.»troyed if the horses were attacked, 1 ordered them to be moved 
 up the hill b}" hand. The brigade was again ordered to charge, the 
 enemy was driven* from the ridge and into the hollow beyond, but 
 the guns pushed forward and opened upon him with suoh telling cfToct 
 that he m ido no further effort to recover his lost ground. It wa« now 
 Cvc o'clock in the afternoon, the brigade having advanced, since eleven 
 o'clock in the morning, fully three miles, describing, in its onward and 
 upward course, through timber and clearing, over hilltops and ridges, 
 a line approaching in shape very nearly the fourth of a circle. Find- 
 ing my ammunition exhausted, a supjdy was ordered and obt:;iiied 
 from the train previously captured from the enemy. Trigg's brigade 
 arriving on the ground .at this juncture, I thankfully accepted the pro- 
 position of the commanding oflicer to form line in my front, and ordered 
 the brigade to fall bick beyond the crest of the hill and rest for the 
 night ; and, no interruption being apprehended from the beaten enemy, 
 the brigade slept on the ground which it had so bravely won. 
 
 On the following day, more than one hundred of the enemy's dead 
 were counted on the hillside and in the hollow immediately in front of 
 the brigade. Nor was the series of brilliant successes, thu^ briefly 
 described, won without heavy loss on our own part, though one greatly 
 inferior to that of the enemy, and inferior, too, to the loss of the 
 
189 
 
 brigade on the previous Jay (Saturday). Where all. both officers an 1 
 men did so well, it is difiiouk, as it would be unfair, to discriiui- 
 nate further than has been already dv;ne in this report. At the Baui© 
 time. I should be doing less than justice if 1 were to omit to make 
 special mention of the very efficient and important service rendered, 
 throughout the day and in every stage of the conflict, by Eledeoe's 
 battery. Lieutenant R. L. Wood commanding. 
 
 A statement of the number of men eiigaged, of the casualties sus- 
 tained, and of the captures made by the brigade, so fiir as an estimate 
 of them can now be obtained, will be found subjoined. 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 C. A. SUGG, 
 Colonel commandivg Brigade. 
 
 AGGREGATE present in Gregg's Brigade, according to Fit Id Return 
 of September 19, 18G3, 
 
 Command. Aggregate present. i 
 
 Forty-firsl Tennessee regiment, - Sio 
 
 Fiftieth " " - 104 
 
 Seventh Texas " - 177 
 
 Third Tennessee " - 274 
 
 Tenth " " - I9<> 
 
 Thirtieth " " - I'^o 
 
 First TcnneBBce battalion, - 82 
 
 Total infantry, - - 1,337 
 
 Battery, - - - 64 
 
 Brigade staff, ... 4 
 
 1,435 
 
 The foregoing represents the number of officers and men taken into 
 •ction on the morning of Saturday, 1 9th. No field return was called 
 for or made on the morning of Sunday, 2Mth. 
 
 AGGREGATE lor.; m Offirtrs and Mm Kilkd, Woundid and Mir.ri:,^ 
 in Grtgg't Bri^adf, in the actions of Septrmficr \8lh, \9th and iOth 
 
 Officers, non-comraissioned officers and privates killed, one huniiitjl 
 »nd seven; wounded, four hundred and seventy-five; missing, «Tenty, 
 total, six hundred tad fil|ty-two. 
 
190 
 
 LIST OF CAPTURES mad.- by Gregg's Brigtde in the actions of Sep. 
 tembcr ISM, I9M and 2ii/A. 
 
 Capturea. 
 I'rinoners, 
 Hniull arms, 
 Colors, 
 Artillery, 
 WiigonB, 
 Ambulances, 
 
 Amount. 
 No estimate. 
 No estimate. 
 None 
 
 Thirteen piecea. 
 Five. 
 One. 
 
 A number of prieoners were taken by the brigade on each day and 
 lent to the rear, but it is impossible to furnish an C8tira!»to which 
 would be even an approximation to the real number, therefore none 
 is attempted. Large quantities of arms were gathered on tho ground 
 over which the brig»de pas.odTl and piled for removal, but, before they 
 could be counted, the briga le was ordered to change positron, being 
 transferred from General .Iohn.«on"8 to General W.ilker's divisum. 
 The pieces of artillery, (thirti.'en in number.) in regard to the capture 
 of which it is understood that rival claims have been advanced, wore 
 not only captured by this brigade, hut duly taken possession of at the 
 titne by a detail made for the purpose. und»r charge of Lieutenant 
 Fletcher Beaumont, adjutant of the fiftieth Tennessee regiment. 
 
STATEMENT OF ADJUTANT BEAUMONT IN REGARD TO 
 THE UAl'TURE OF i^NE I'lEGES UF ARTILLERV FROM 
 THE ENEMY UN BATTLE-FIELD OF CHICKAilAUaA. 
 
 In the Field, October 9, 1863. 
 Colonel FuGG : 
 
 Sir : Ilnving been requested to furnish a written statement of the 
 facts rcgaidiiig the capture from the enemy on the battle-6cid of 
 Chu'kamuuga. September iO, 1^63, by General Gregg's brigade of 
 nine pieces (f artillery, which I am enabled to do by reiifon of having 
 been yi'ur i'id-de-c»mp on that day, and, as such, bavii g sent the 
 pieces to the re;ir fi.r safety in the event of an attempt to letiike 
 them, I be;.' leave to submit the following, which will be endorsed bj 
 ineuib'TS of the forty-fir!<t Tennessee regiment of this brigade, who 
 were wiinei-ses to the statement herein set forth : 
 
 I'reparaiKiy to iulvancirig upon the enemy, our division, consisting 
 of tienerals John.-on s, McNair's, and Gregg's brigades, the whoio 
 comtiiHiided by Brigiiilier bencral Johnson, was foimed by plaring 
 Johnson's brigade on the left, McNair's on the right, with two regi- 
 miiits and a biiiialioii, fiom our brigxtk, on the extreme left — the 
 reii aiiider ( f the hitter fvillowiiig as a support about one bundieil 
 yaiitp in rear of the fr')nt line. In thisordttr the division nioveil off, 
 11 'Virggonc some diftance, McNair's brigade, immedi at tjy in our front, 
 haite 1, the enemx mainiaining a brisk fire on the whole linp, when, bj 
 consent of its comniander, our brigaiie paB.^ed over it and gained tfio 
 fr<'iil line. Soon after «e enierged into an open field, on the opposite 
 side of whi^-h, to our right and on an eminence commanding the field, 
 was pofied the enemy's artillery. Seeing a rich prize wiihin its gritnp, 
 vur I iigade marched loiwaid until it had gamed the fi^tiik ; thea 
 ■wbeclii'g to the right, went up anil poB^esse(l it, (-everal of the 
 piicex h-t^ing bet'n silcnred and abandoned before the brigade had 
 coniineiice't to »hiel. On reaching the guns we bad so nobly won, 
 as ji>ur aid. 1 {.roceeded to take possession and have them removtj 
 to tie rear for safety againHt recapture. For this purpose I made a 
 tictail of the men iiearest to me, and, when I coohl fand them, such 
 iroiiiidt'd 88 weie able to ride horseback, and Federal prisoners, with 
 ft gunrd. Kveiy gun and us accurap 'nim''nt8 which fell into our 
 kaii'ls Here Kave<l I »ould also mention that instead of eight (H) 
 guns, as you estimate in your offi' lal rcpi rt, there were nine (9) to 
 my knowledge, hating seen that number myself after the fighting had 
 subsided in the evi iiing of tbat day. Too eager to get them safelj 
 to the rear, I did not i-top to ascertain the exuct number, supposing 
 that 1 would have an Ofiportunity to settle that point afterwards, as 
 I directed them to be taken to the hill our brigade was posted on 
 before the sdvanCe began. 
 
 1 am, eir, respectfallj, yours, 
 
 FLETCHER BEAUMONT, 
 AdjutaiU FiftUth Tenna$ee regiment. 
 
192 
 
 We fully cor.cur in the above statement. 
 
 W. G. Vancleare, corapanj II, fortj-fii-et Tennessee legiracr.t. 
 
 C S. Hnnghton, 
 
 B. W. Smith, fourth Bcrgoant, " 
 
 A. P. N. Bells, compsnj II, " 
 
 A. J. Park, 
 
 Levi Osburn, '• " " 
 
 Willv Ot<b»rn, 
 
 II. M. Fuwler, 
 
 The above names are raowbcrs of company II, forty-first Tcnne?- 
 (t-e regiment, and authorised me to eign their names. 
 
 W. M. COOPER, 
 First Litutenant Co. II, ilst TVn.iesste rfgrntnt. 
 
REPORT OF COLONEL D. COLEMAN, COMMANDING 
 BlUii A\)E. 
 
 IlF.AnQi\RTr.!i.< MiXviu's BRiGAnr., ) 
 Camp 7icar Ringgold, Gtor^in, Sept. Zi, I8G3. \ 
 
 I Captain Ci.wK.MORE, A. A. A. Gcnnd : ' 
 
 \ Captain: In oberlienco to Bri^^dior Gcr.pra! Johnson's onlcr of 
 
 [ yestenlay, I li.ivo the honor to reitort the pirt taken by this brigade 
 
 i in tlic Inte battles: 
 
 Sliortlj bi'fore daylight on the 18th instant, this bri/jfule, (Brigmlier 
 Oonernl E. McNair,) in company wi:h that of Brigadier General B. 
 
 , 11. Johnson, who coniinindod t)ie wliolo force, loft Catoosa station, on 
 
 ' the ChickaniiU2;a rirer, and niDrched, by way of Ringgold, by the 
 Lafayette road to the intersection of the Grnj'svillo and Reed's bridge 
 roads. Here, cannonading and sharp skirniishmg being heard on the 
 loft, line of battle was fornisd, with Johnson's brigade on the right, 
 and the force swept steidily in this order, with skirmishers in froot, 
 across the country to the liift, the enemy giving away with scarcely 
 
 ; any resistance, to the Reed's bridge roaJ, near the bridge. Thence 
 marched, hearing heavy musketry firing in front, to within one and a 
 half Liilea of Lee's mill, en the Chattanooga and Lee's mill road, 
 
 , where it enc.-.riped in liry; for the niglit some time after dark. 
 
 On the l.'lth, just about eight, A. M . the battle having began dxi 
 the right, the brigade was pla-ed in position in rear of Gregg's brig» 
 ade, with the artillery, Captain Culpcper'e three pieces, and the thirty- 
 ninth North Carolina regiment, Colonel Coleman, and twenty-fifth 
 Arkansas, Lieutenant C>.donel Ilupstclder. Colonel Coleman, com- 
 manding both regimsnts, being ordired to support General Gregg, 
 moved rapi ily forward and, getting near (jreg::".s brigade, (then acder 
 a terrific fire,) charg;il impetuoinly, passing over the left of Gregg's 
 brigade, with loud cheers, anJ drove the enemy in rapid flight through 
 the thick woodn, across the Chattanooga road, past the small house, 
 
 ' a hundrc'l yardi on and in to the corn-fields beyond, making a dis- 
 tance altogether of about threc-qnartcrs of a mile. In this hist 
 
 ' advance Lieutenant Colonel KupFteJder fell, woun l"d with five balls. 
 Though the enemy, to whom we had been opposed in front, were ia 
 
 ' flight, broken and in confusion, having sustained a heavy loss in killed, 
 the two rf-girn'>tit': fin li'ig their tired and weak''n?d line exposed to a 
 
 ! fatal flanking firr-. p-|,f. ,^lly on the left, unsupported on account of 
 
 •■'«'• rapidity of tlii;r aifance, with an enemy's battery ne^r on I'ae 
 
 : and a strong enemy's reinforcement approaching, ^d onr amma> 
 
 m nearly exbaustfd, the impractiliability of longCT holding thi* 
 
 inced and exposed position was immediately manifest and the force 
 
 ordofed back to the woods. Here they were reformed and, a freph 
 
 ■ »sed to relievo them, were marched back to nearly their 
 
 n to await anmanilion, where they were joined by tit 
 
104 
 
 rest of tlie brigade, wliich Snally moved forward to tbe position in line 
 Tklicre it WHS eiio:nupcd for the night, between Johnson's brigade, ou 
 the ripht, nud Hindrnan's divieion, on the left. 
 
 The 6r?t, second and fourth Aik.msas battalions, (consolidated,) 
 Major Ross, all under the iniincdiate connnand of "General McNair, 
 were ordered forward soon after the advance of the thirty-ninth 
 North Carolina and twenty-fifth Arkansas, and charged on the right 
 of the course taken by the latter regiments and drove the enemy, in 
 successive' charges, beyond the Chattanooga road. Here, on the 
 withdrawal of the tliirty-r intli nnd twenty-fifih, being exposed to a 
 heavy flank fire on the left, besides that in front, and the ammunition 
 begining to fail, they rejoined the other two regiments. 
 
 The artillery. Captain Culpeper commanding, supported tbe advance 
 of tbe brigade so long as it was safe to fire, and then, the undergrowth 
 being too thick to advance, remained in their position the remainder 
 of the day. 
 
 On the morning of the Sl'th, the brigade was placed in line between 
 Stewart's division, on the right, and Hindrnan's, on tbe left, with a 
 slight barricade of briMiches and suiull dead wood in front. Here, 
 about half p:ist nine, A M , the line rejiulsed an ;tdvance of the enemy. 
 In a few i; inutes after, the brigade, advancing with the rest of the line, 
 drove the em my steadily and rapidly back, passing over two succes- 
 sive lines of temporary breastworks, a distance of about three-quarterB 
 of a milo, reaching the corner of the field, at the opposite end of which 
 were two batteries of the enemy's on a hill commanding the whole 
 advance. General McNair and Ccdonel Hargcr, first Arkansas rifles, 
 had just been disabled by wounds, that of tue latter officer mortal. 
 The brigride, already in advance of the line, charged furiously upoa 
 the batteries diagonally on tbe right and captur:d them, tiiking ten 
 pieces, eight of which were immediately sent with their remaining 
 horses to our rear, and the remaining twc, then in the wood, were 
 carried to the rear afterwards, the ground never having been reoccu- 
 pieil by the enemy. 
 
 The brigade was now considerably in advance of the line, though 
 this was rapidly approaching; our left was still more exposed by the 
 break made by our diagonal charge; the enemy were firing from the 
 woods in front, while within two butulrcd yards farther in the woods 
 a l*rge body of the enemy was seen diawn up in good order. Our 
 forces were reduced by our rapid advance and the ammunition nearly 
 exh.-iustcd. It was necessary at once to abandon our position. Tbe 
 biigade retired back to the woods, procured ammunition and took posi- 
 tion in Hue on the left of Robinson's brigade. Here, on receiving aa 
 order from Brigadier General Johnson, the brigade, under Colonel 
 Coleman, Upon whom the command had devolved, advanced forward 
 and to the lefL about half a mile, to the support of Johnson's brigade, 
 which was supporting Robinson's battery, which was stationed on the 
 brow of a hill to the right of the Lookout Valley road, at which point 
 the force there were resisting with difficulty the determined advance • 
 of the enemy in heavy force. In a few minutes General Johnson 
 ordered our advance, when, passing the line immediately supporting the 
 
195 
 
 battery, which line also advanced, we charged over the hill upon the 
 enemy and after a protracted and obstinate resistance, a brigade on 
 our right and Manigauit's brigade on the ridge to our left advancing 
 on parallel lines to us. the enemy were ■completely driven from the 
 position. In this conflict we suffered much from a flanking fire, arising 
 from tardy support on our left. 
 
 The artillery. Captain Culpeper, having assisted in repulsing the 
 encuiy at half-past nine, A. M., was placed in position by General 
 Law, with his battery, and remained there during the day. I take 
 greit pleasure ami pride in saying that the whole brigade behaved 
 most nobly during all the fighting of both days, being uniformly in 
 3'. Vance of all others in every onset. Its losses and its trophies bear 
 ample testimony to its good conduct. In another report I propose to 
 pai licularize individual instances. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully. 
 
 Your obedient servant. 
 
 D. COLEMAN. 
 Colonel commanding Brigade. 
 
 TABULAR STATEMENTS of total oggregntrs of McNnir's Brigade 
 ergagedat Vhukamavga, Siptemhcr \iith, \Miar,d2Mh, 1863. 
 
 Commend. Total. Aggregate. No. of rounds fired, 
 
 fun and Staff, 2 
 
 1st Aikansas, 2.74 273 70 
 
 4th Arkansiw, 3h,5 415 70 
 
 2n\ Arkansas, 125 139 70 
 
 39 tb Nurth Carolina, 2.i2 247 80 
 
 25ih Arkansas, III 133 80 
 
 Total infjntry, l.MT 1,209 About 75 
 
 Cnlp.-per'9 bait/ry. I ^^ ' g^ 301 shots. 
 
 h. C artillery, J 
 
 One caisson exploded, two horses killed and Bix wounded ; one sett 
 wheel harness damaged. 
 
 D. COLEMAN. 
 Colonel commanding McSa%r''s Brigade. 
 
 IICNRT WaLPIIOP, 
 
 A. A. A. General. 
 
f96 
 
 B. 
 
 TABULAR STATEMENT of Casuallks in McNair's Brigade al 
 Chickamauga, on ISM, 19/A end Zdthof SepUmier, 18G3. 
 
 
 Killed. 
 
 AVoV.VDBD. 
 
 MiSKIKG. 
 
 
 Command. 
 
 o 
 
 1 
 
 
 TOT.VL. 
 
 Kifld and .Staff, ' ' 
 
 1 
 
 S9 
 25 
 15 
 4C 
 '26 
 6 
 
 1 
 
 54 . 
 81 
 27 
 40 
 21 
 
 
 
 ., 
 
 
 14 3 
 14 4 
 
 6 1 
 10 4 
 
 7 4 
 
 16 
 
 29 
 3 
 3 
 » 
 
 11)6 
 
 
 1l)» 
 
 Second Arkaniiiis 
 
 Tliirty-niiith Korlh Carolina,.... 
 Tvrcntv-fiftli Arkansas, 
 
 62 
 103 
 
 01 
 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 
 1 61 ; IC 
 
 167 1 l(i3 
 
 64 1 441 
 
 D. COLEMAN, 
 
 Colonel commanding McNairs Brigade. 
 Henrv Waldrop, 
 
 A. A. A. General. 
 
 C. 
 
 A STATEMENT of captures made by 3IrNairs Brigade al CUrka- 
 tnauga, on the I8th, I9ih and ZHth of September, 1SC3. 
 
 Ten piece!? of artillery. 
 
 Several caissonB, left on the field and brought off afterwards. 
 
 Six first class ordnance wagons. 
 
 .Six wagon loads of small ammunition. 
 
 Brought off the field eight hundred fine rifles. 
 
 Piled up, for ordnance wagons, two thousand rifles. 
 
 Brought off the field twentj-si.x artillery horses. 
 
 Two stand of colors — one eighth Kansas, the other not remembered. 
 
 One taken from private Harry Barger, company I, twenty-fifth 
 Arkansas, by force, after capturing it himself, by an oflScer ranking 
 tirst lieutenant of Maney's brigade. 
 
 D. COLEMAN, 
 Colonel commandi?ig 3IcNair^s Brigade. 
 
 IIenrt Waldrop, 
 
 A. A. A. General. 
 
REPORT OF COLONEL JOHN S. FULTON, COMMANDING 
 BRIGADE. 
 
 Headquarters Johnson's Brigadk, September 30, 18C3. 
 
 Captain \V. T. Bukemorf., 
 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 I have to report the action taken with the enemy bj the forty- 
 fourth, twenty-fifth, twenty-third and eeventeenth Tennessee regiments, 
 composing this brigade, and company E, of the ninth Georgia bat- 
 talion of artillery, a battery of two howitzers and two small rifle 
 pieces, commanded by First Lieutenant W. S. Everett, in an affair at 
 and from Ringgold to Chickamauga creek, on the 1 7th and 18th 
 instants, and at the battle of Chickamauga, on the 19th and 20th 
 instants. • 
 
 By order from Brigadier General Johnson, this brigade moved at 
 three, I'. JL, on the 17th instant, from its encampment, three miles 
 sooth of Ringgold, on the Ringgold anil Dalton road, *in the following 
 order: twenty-fifth, forty-fourth, twenty-third and seventeenth Ten- 
 nessee regiments. On our approaching Ringgold, a supply train on 
 its way to Ringgold had*bccn reversed and was rapidly returning. 
 At this juncture I received an order from General B. R. Johnson to 
 form the brigade in line of battle at the foot of Taylor's ridge, and 
 throw forward skirmishers to Ifold Ringgold. The twenty-'fth Ten- 
 ncfsce regiment, being in front, took position on its ri^] llank, to 
 protect the wagons, rapidly moving to the rear. The b'V^ade was 
 foimed in line of battle at the foot of Taylor's ridge, the fcftty-fonrth 
 and twenty-fifth Tennessee regiments on the right of the road, and the 
 twenty-third and seventeenth Tennessee regiments on the lef . A com- 
 pany from each regiment was seat, in charge of Major Da>.s, to hold 
 Ringgold, with a detachment of Scott's cavalry on my flanks. A section 
 of the battery was placed on my extreme right on elevated ground, 
 where I onlered it to open upon the enemy's battery, posted on the 
 hill above and to the northwest of Ringgold, which had fired two shots 
 into the town. After firing eight rounds I dislodge"! the enem_y, who 
 was pursued by Colonel Scott's cavalry, with a section of Everett"? 
 battery, six miles. He (Colonel ?cott) having reached their encamp- 
 ment, a few rounds of grape and canister were fired among the enemy's 
 cirap fires, when Colonel Scott, with the section of artillery, retired. 
 T: >■--'- - -'I on their 8rm«, in line of battle, during the night. 
 ], -i and in havereack# bv daylight on the morning 
 
 o: ■. when we took up the line of march' to Leek's tan- 
 
 yar 1 Af'T miff hi nr a short distance, the line of march was changed. 
 The regim'-ntc jan:eitairched and followed the enemy in the direction 
 of Cliattunooga, and, having reached Kceler's (over-shot) mill, w» 
 founl th^t th"! enemy werl near us. The brigo-le was formed in line 
 of bsittle an 1 skirmishers thrown forward, together with the left wing 
 of the forty-fourth Tonnessee regiment, UDder General Forrest, fol- 
 
19S 
 
 lowed by the right of that regiment, under command of Lieutenant 
 Colouol McEwer., Jr. Lieiitcniint ETerett fired a few rounda on the 
 enemy, under direction of General Forrest. The skirmishers of the 
 seventeenth Tenncsfee regiment engaged tiio cavalry pickets of the 
 enemy, killing three men and mortally wounding one. The enemy's 
 skirmishers having been driven back, the twenty-fifth, twenty-t!)ird 
 and seventeenth regiments were moved forward, crossing Pea vine creek, 
 some six hundred yards from our first position into and over a corn- 
 field where these regiments were drawn up in line of battle. The 
 enemy had taken Lis position in the corn-field opposite, running to a 
 high ridge near the juncture of the Graysville and Lnfiyette, Ring- 
 gold and Chattanooga roads. A section of the first Missouri battery, 
 Bledsoe's, having been placed in position on my left by Generals 
 Johnson and Forrest, in rear of the seventeenth Tennessee, (the forty- 
 fourth was now brought to the right of the twenty -fifth Tennessee regi- 
 ment,) the firing from this battery drove the enemy from his position, 
 and,' after shelling the woods in our front, I again received an order 
 to advance in line of battle. Mj skirmishers were kept deployed at 
 a distance of two hundred yards, which distance they kept, passing 
 over the ridge (a strong position) and forward to Reed's bridge, across 
 which the enemy had moved and taken position in the woods beyond. 
 Before reaching the bridge. Reed's, the seventeenth Tennessee was 
 detached and sent by General Forrest to tTie left to attack a force of 
 the Federals at their principal encampment. Before gaining this posi- 
 tion, however, the enemy fled. 'J'he skirmishers of the twenty-third 
 Tennessee, whilst approaching Reed's !)ridge, became engaged, and the 
 twenty-third Tennessee regiment voluntarily pushed forward with a 
 yell and drove the enemy from the bridge before it could be destroyed. 
 Here the twenty-third Tennessee had five men wounded, one of whom, 
 private A. Melton, color-bearer, when obliged to give up hia colors, 
 called upon his successor to carry them forward " ahead of every 
 thing else." Skirmishers were immediately sent over the bridge 
 and deployed, followed by the forty-fourth, twenty-fifth and twenty- 
 third Tennessee regiments, which filed to the right some three or four 
 hundred yards, through a corn-field. The enemy now opened a bat- 
 tery upon the bridge, one of its shells ivounding Lieutenant Hastings, 
 of the seventeenth Tennessee, which regiment was returning to rejoin 
 the brigade and crossed over the bridge under the enemy's fire of 
 artillery. A section of first Missouri, Bledsoe's, b.ittery, of the 
 reserve artillery, opened fire and drove the enemy's battery from its 
 position. 
 
 The brigade moved forward in line of battle, changing direction to 
 • the right, and moved in lint^o Alexander's bridge, where wo were 
 lialted and remained for the brigade on our left (Gregg's) to come up. 
 
 Gregg's brigade moved forward, followed by Johnson's, which, after 
 marching some six hundred yards, the forty-fourth Tennessee was 
 detached to guard our wagon train, llaving marched some two and a 
 half miles by the tlank, Gregg's brigade t)ecamo engaged with the 
 enemy. We changed front forward on left company, left battalion, 
 and moved up on line with other troops on our left, and rested on our 
 
109 
 
 ■ rras during the night, one-tliii-'l of the men being required to bo 
 
 awake, and skirmishers deplojeii ia our frout. 
 
 Saturday, September 19th. Eiirlj this morning a detail of intelli- 
 
 •' lit men was made, five from ench regiment, to reconnoitre the 
 
 'lemj'a line. They reported to nie, about ten, A. iM., the enemy one 
 ■ind a quarter milts distant and in our front. The forty-fourth Ten- 
 nessee took its position on the right of the brigade, ami tlie line of the 
 biigado couforined to that of (Jregg's, on our left, and llohinson's, on 
 our right, whirh ciiO' wpassed the top of a low ridge. The iiring 
 commenced on our right about eight, A. M,, and continued along the 
 line until Cheatham became engaged. 
 
 About one, P. M., liie skinniphers of the seventeenth Tennessee, as 
 well as those of Gregg's briga<le, were drircn in. A g'Mieral engage- 
 ment was now commenced on our left, the loftcompiuicsof the seven- 
 teenth Tennessee participati.ig by firing obliquely to the left. At 
 this time Everett's battery was placed behind the extreme Icfc of the 
 seventeenth Tennessee, the fiie of which drove the enemy back at this 
 {<oint. 
 
 trhortly after, the command to move forward was given, the left 
 regiment to touch to the right until we reached the road, when the 
 right would move slowly, that tue left may come np to the road, thna 
 to change direction slightly to the right.. But this order was not 
 fully carried out. We did not advance exceeding tcvcn hundred 
 yards, when the enemy opened fire upon us, and we became hotlj 
 engageil. Tiic enemy hud [dinted a battery, which struck about the 
 centre of the furtylonrih Tciinessee regi".ent, and which opened 
 upon our advancing lines, throwing, in rapid succession, grape and 
 canister, and supported by infantry, whose fire of small arras was 
 heavy, well directed and disastrous. The entire brigade now became 
 hotly engaged, (during this engagement Majnr Lowe, of the twenty- 
 fifth Tennessee, was woundtd,) which lasted nearly an hour, the 
 enemy making a stubborn resistance, gradually re^Hke, he having 
 advantage of both undergrowth ami ground, but fi^JP was driven 
 •across flic Chattanooga and Lafayette road." The seventeenth Ten- 
 nessee regimt'nt, on ajproaehing the road, was hiltcd and opened fire 
 on the en''my in its front, distant about two bun Ired yards, in a wood- 
 land ; the unilergrowlh having been cut out, the enemy were in full 
 TJew. The forty-fnurth Tennessee was still engaging the enemy. 
 The twenty-fifth and a portion of the twcniy-third Tennessee regi- 
 ment crossed the road, the other portion of the twenty-third being 
 with the seventeenth Tennessee, and g.iined the cover of the woods, and 
 moved to the fl-uik of the enemy's buttery, still firing upon the right 
 of our line, at ri^'iit angles with my present line, gaining a fence, 
 under A^hich tlioy (penei fire, delivering several volleys, ceased firing, 
 re-loaded and rhargpd the ballcry, driving the enemy's gnnners from 
 their guns and killing several horses. The caissons were roOve<l oiT 
 by the enemy, le*\ ing their pieces on the fi< Id. The seventeenth Ten- 
 nessee and the other portion of the twenty-third Tennessee had 
 crossed the roa*!. having driven the eneniy. The Bevcntcenth Teu- 
 neesee here lost one officer killed, two ofiicon and about twenty men 
 
200 
 
 ircunJcd. In tlis cngagonieiit the foity-fouilU Tennessee suffered 
 .heavily, sustaining a lots in killed and •wounded. A portion of Rob- 
 inson's extreme left (Tcx«us) and part of the forty-fourth Tennessee 
 hod been driven bnck, but niioiu two-thirds of the foity-fourth Ten-, 
 nessee crossed the road. Hero Lieutenant Colonel .MclMven. Jr., fire 
 cempany (fficers. (Captain Jackson one of the number,) and fifty men 
 wire wounded and six men killed; among the latter, Sergeant T. A. 
 Johnson, color-bearer, t.ne of the bravest of the brave. I.ieufsnaDt 
 Colonel MeEwen, Jr., however, leraained with his command, after he 
 wns wounded, until obliged to retire from exhaustion. Lieutenant 
 Colonel Tillman, cf the lorty-firf-t Tennessee, Gregg's brigade, rode 
 up to me at tl.is time, stating that the enemy was moving down the 
 road to my left, and would soon be in my rear ; doubting the report, 
 I suggested that our Imes were connected on our left and that a tiank 
 or rear movement could not therefore bo made by the enemy. I, 
 however, found that but two regitneuts of Gregg's brigade had moved 
 up with my line, and they had retired. Lieutenant Colonel Tillman 
 had thus lost sight of Lis ngiuient, and, in company with him and 
 Lieutcniint Col ntl Floyd, I started to the road to safi-rfy myself as to 
 the correctness of this report ; I had gone but a short distance when I 
 discovered a column of the enemy moving by the Uai.k in direction of 
 the seventeenth Tennessee rigiuient, which rapidly* gained its roar. 
 I heard distinctly the commamter's halt, front, and imn-.cdiatcly their 
 fire was pouring upi n our Ihnik and rear. Here a gencrHl a'ampcde 
 ensued, so sudden and unexpected was the movement. We fell back 
 two hundred yards in rear of the Chattanooga and Lafayette road and 
 reformed. Li this fl:iLk movement of the enemy the seventeenth Ten- 
 nessee regiment loi-t eleven offireis, including their gallant M^'jor 
 Davis, who was wounded, and about sixty men taken prisoners. The 
 brigade built temporary breastworks, behind which it remained during 
 the night, ir. line of battle. Our skirmisliers, under Major McCarver, 
 were directeij^fcccupy thp Chattanooga and Lafayette road, but tliis 
 could not l^^^e, the lines on my right and left not conforming 
 thereto; I, however, ingtructcJ them to be posted within fifty yards. 
 of the road. 
 
 Sunday, 2()th Septeraler. This morning my line connected on the 
 right with MfNair's, ((Jregg being in tlio next line, in our roar,) and 
 General llindman on the left. Everett's battery look position between 
 my left and the right of Law's. Shortly after nine, A. M , the bkir- 
 mi.shcrs, under direction of Lieutenant Colonel Ready, fell back to 
 the breastwojks, bringing those of the enemy after them. A well 
 directed fire from the forty fourth Tennessee drove the enemy's skir- 
 ir.ishers back, leaving many of his dead in our front. My tkirmi.^hers 
 were sent foVward and very soon they became again engaged, the 
 enemy using his artillery. About ten, A. M., a general advance was 
 ordered. The left of the brigailc had advanced but a short distauce 
 before it became engagcil with the enemy, the battle having commenced 
 some three hours earlier on the right. The seventeeutli Tennessee 
 recroBsed the Chattartooga and Lafayette road, when it engaged the 
 enemy. The whole line crossing the fence, the engagement became 
 
I 
 
 2.>1 
 
 genorsl. Ilorc we pa^scil a house and gftnlen, and through an open 
 tiold, (it was here ih'it Lieutenant Colonel Ucidy, of twenty-third 
 Tennc!<see, was wounded, while rushing forward.) On entering the 
 house, cri'is, «to., many prisoners, botli offi ;er3 and tncn, wjro cip- 
 tured, und here sorje fine swords were t;ikon ff-oiu the enemy. Among 
 the prisoners was the coloael of the one hundredth Illinois regiment. 
 The enemy's breastworks, which had been built at intervals along his 
 line. ciTored but a poor assistance to the enemy to resist our advance, 
 •whirh was not only vigorous and spirited, but irresistible ; wo found 
 he had a second line of breastworks about eighty yards in rear of the 
 first, made of logs and rocks, behind which they scarcely halted. 
 , Having driven the enemy from his first position, we hiUed and 
 reformed our line in front of a dense, low pine thicket.' Pressing 
 for^-ard, we carried this position, the dea<l of the enemy showinji^how 
 good a protection he had calculated on. We passed through a stubble 
 wheat-field to a ravine, until we reached the edge of a long open field, 
 the upper side of which being a bald hill, or high ridge, upon which 
 the enemy had a heavy b.^ttery of nine guns, firing upon the advanc- 
 ing line on our right. Without delay the field was entered and 
 charged across, and the ridge, or bald hill, was gained, the troops on 
 our right hivi:ig flankeil and silenced the enemy's bittery, which was 
 captured. Everett's battery was iraiticdiatoly brought up, together 
 ■with Dint's, which were opened upon the enemy's retiealmg wagon 
 train, moving on the Chattmonga and Crawfish Spring road. I sent 
 forward tkirinishers to reconnoitre the hollow bcncat'i, where was 
 found the enemy's telegraph running up the Chattanoogi and Craw- 
 fish Spring roa<l, several hundred yards to rfur right. This telegraph 
 Wis cut donrn, and poveral prisoners captured; among the pvisoneia 
 a staff ofiicer of iMsjor General Vanclevc, and one of (Jencral Rosen-. 
 
 cri--- .with their horses and eqi.npments. The eiToct of our 
 
 bi' MIC, the cneinj' rapidly reireating. A mopnled oifiner 
 
 wa^ - .1 to -the troops on our Mt, who had not kept pace with 
 
 us, with a liag. to show and direct them to our position ; they had 
 already opened one of tlieir batteries upon our position, havinp; Iti/ctn 
 Us f:ir tfxi fnem'i; their battery was playing on us from the second hill 
 on our left. Having received orders to move to the hollow beneath, 
 we here cinngod direction to the right, which tbrc-w the line almost 
 perpendicular to thc^* former ;» this done, I marched forward, cn- 
 tcri- ■'-■■'" 1 ' Here we began to see the fr-.tits of our rapid and 
 CO'' '.'. Three twelve j .ud'^t iriss Geid pioccs and 
 
 t' • .. here c.iptured, anliiine foir-h'^iBO agons, one of 
 
 :ir males attiched, was i:iunciJi;,tftly sent to the roar; 
 
 wagon" wrro 1 id.'n with ord.-'ance, the others with com- 
 ind ijuiirt! ■ ores. Some of the wagons were c«p- 
 
 uVpt wa* ■ on. I.immcdiately found that roy left 
 
 • »ed. a^i I :-'T;f forward a be;ivy line of skirmishers to 
 
 left flink and front, and advanced the brigade to the 
 
 -■ >-•■'• ' ? •' ' — • ' -vard a party to reconnoitre 
 
 ers, who, after an ah enco 
 
 and a l.alf miles distant 
 
202 
 
 and ndviincing. In the meantime, I had learned of the enemy h»v« 
 ing (>kirniishers, or that occasional shots were fired from the hill on my 
 left, running iiltnoint at rifjht angles with the one on which 1 was thea 
 resting. 1 ?ent immed iitely a company of skirmishers to reconnoitre 
 the hill — a few prisoners were brought in. In the corner of the field 
 below my present position was Villette's house, where the enemy hid 
 pr.'iciisi'd many outrages ; the ladies were found lying under the floor 
 of the house, and, when they saw the enemy retreating and our line 
 a<lvancing. tlioy broke from their concealment, shouting and clapping 
 their hands for joy. A delay of an hour occurreil whilst waiting tho 
 movement of some troops to our left, under orders from General IJ. 
 R. Johnson. During this time, however, a portion of Dent's and Ever^ 
 eti's batteries were placed in position in front of the brigade, and 
 we rfjjleniiihed our cartridge-boxes from the enemy's three wagon*, 
 laden with orlnance, which had been captured here 
 
 Between one and two o'clock. P. M., I advanced to the top of tha 
 hill, when we were again upon the encmj', who opone<l a heavy fire 
 upon us. Uur batteries and small arms here were engaging ihe enemy 
 gome fifteen minutes, when our line fell back some fifteen paces under 
 coverof the hill, Gregg's command, on my right, giving back at the 
 same time; tliis, no doubt, having started the backward movement. 
 Just at this time the two brigades (D^y's and one other) were march- 
 ing in line of battle by the Villette house to connect with our lines 
 on the left, they changing direction to the right for this purpose. A 
 general ailvance was ordered, and our batteries opened simultaneously. 
 'J"he firing was heavy, and the enemy's massive columns were luirled 
 against our wearied heroes. Again our line fell back. Two brigajles 
 now came up in our rear ; one of these brigades moved in advance of 
 us, and, receiving the enemy's fire, fell back behind us again. My 
 line was again ordered forward, tho enemy being within fifty yards of 
 the batteries and but one pieco firing. Hero commenced a most des- 
 perate struggle for the possession of this ground — Missionary ridge. 
 The battle raged furiously, and the ti<lc of success wavered in the 
 balances ; charge after charge was repulsed, only to rally and charge 
 again. Agiiin our line fell back, ami the untiring, indi)mit.abie and 
 determined officers rallied again their fast thinning ranks, ami again 
 moved forward. Here officers and men behaved most gallantly ; 
 appeals to love of home and wounded comrade?i, and the peril. of the 
 Kioment were made, and never did men rush forward more eagor, dar- 
 ing, desperate and defiantly. The enemy's treble lines now began to 
 show that our fire was terribly cifective upon them. Our cartridge- 
 boxes had been replenished as required, and still wo were nearly out. 
 Again more ammunition was supplied, and the contlict continued hot 
 and heavy. The enemy was now hlowly giving back, hard pre^sed by 
 our now shattered remnants. An )ther charge, with the yells of the 
 men and cheers of the officers, and forward we pressed, only to dis- 
 cover th« victory was ours and the enemy in full retreat. This series 
 of engagements lasted four long hours, during which Johnson's bri- 
 gade won many laurels and an imperishable name. At this moment, 
 another brigade came up, and was loudly clieered forward, but the 
 
SOS 
 
 enemy made no resistance. Our ammnnition being (with but few 
 exceptftns) exhausted, the briga(ie haltpd and reformed, moved for- 
 ward, aVont-facf'd, mnrched back some distance and formed on ^lan- 
 igault'a line. Here we sent forward picketi* to cover our front, and 
 several prisoners were brouglit in. The men rested on thoir arms 
 during the night, having on this day won a victory — one of the most 
 glorious of the war. In this engagement. Everett's battery fired very 
 effectively, being in the thickest of the fight. Thia evening he had 
 one sergeant and two men wounded, and five horses shot down by the 
 enemy during the CEgagement. This morning, whilst firing on the 
 enemy's wa^jon train, he dismounted one piece of the enemy's artil- 
 lery, lie fired foiir hundred and twenty-eight rounds during the 
 four days' fight. I commend the officers of this battery to fnvoralle 
 consideration for their fidelity and good conduct whils; under fire. 
 
 I have also to notice the services of Lieutenant Dent, commanding 
 Robinson's battery, whose fire upon the enemy was incessant and 
 effective. Both officers and men behaved most coolly and gallantly 
 during the day. 
 
 I have great pleasure in attesting to the gallant and efficient con- 
 duct of the following officers : 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel McEwen, Jr., commanding forty-fourth Ten- 
 nessee regiment, wrinnded. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Snowdcn, commanding twenty-fifth Tennessee 
 regiment. 
 
 Colonel Keeble. commanding twenty-third TennesscB regiment. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Ready, of twenty-third Tennessee regiment, 
 wounded. 
 
 Major Lrwe, TenncBSce regiment, wounded. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Floyd, commanding seventeenth Tennessee 
 regiment. 
 
 Major Davis, of seventeenth Tennessee regiment, wounded and 
 captured. 
 
 Adjutants Cross, Gwynn and Fitzpatrick, and Lieutenant Gregg 
 who came into the action on Sunday morning. Also, Captain Terry, 
 who afte» he was wounded on Saturday evening, rendered me valuable 
 • ervio » on Sunday. Mention may also be made of the following : Pri- 
 vate (ex-captsin) Ridley, of twr-nty-third Tennessee, who went into the 
 action and fonght manfully with a gun, setting a good example to alj. 
 Lieutenant Vernon, rf company 1$, twenty-thiid Tennessee, for the 
 mannor in which he bore himself. 
 
 On entering the action this command numbered as follows, viz : 
 
 Commands. 
 
 Officers. 
 
 Men. 
 
 .AggngaU. 
 
 Forty-fourth Tennesse, 
 
 28 
 
 266 
 
 294 
 
 Twenty-fifth Tennessee, 
 
 2.5 
 
 120 
 
 I4.i 
 
 Twenty-third Tennessee, 
 
 28 
 
 153 
 
 ISI 
 
 Seventeenth Tennessee, 
 
 27 
 
 222 
 
 2J0 
 
 Bsttery, 
 
 — 
 
 
 
 8^—054 
 
 The number of the different regiments of this ccnunand was thai 
 
Wounded. 
 
 Captured and Missing 
 
 88 
 
 15 
 
 61 
 
 C9 
 
 77 
 
 13 
 
 45 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 . . 
 
 2U4 
 
 iiiiiill, the barefooted men Laving been sent to the rear by order froni 
 liie division ccmnjumler, as follows : 
 
 Fyrty-fourlh Tennessee, fifty-six men ; twenty-fifih Tennessee, 
 twenty-three men ; twenty-third Teune.-see, tvfcnty-six rueu ; seven- 
 ti'Ciith Tennt'psoe, one hundred and twenty men and f«o oflicers. 
 -V'trcgutc, two hundred andtwcnty-seven. 
 
 My loss was as follows : 
 
 Command. • KilUd. 
 
 Forty-fourth Tennessee, 10 
 ScM-nteenth " 
 
 Twenty-third " 8 
 
 Twenty-fifth " D 
 Ilattery, 
 
 Tital, 23 274 !3S 
 
 AggregKto, 40n. 
 
 I have much pleasure in stating that there was no straggling, either 
 by officers or men. I have also great satisfaction in noticing the med- 
 ical appoiutnienta of this brigade, for promptness and efficiency. The 
 care and treatment of the wounded by i)r. Jackson, of forty-fourth 
 Tenni'ssee, acting brigade surgeon ; Dr. Plummer, of twenty-third 
 Tennessee Dr. ilarris and Dr. Jones, of seventeenth Tt;nnessec; 
 hn i Drs. Fryar and Jackson, of twenty-fifth Tennessee. Also, I 
 return my thnnks to Dr. John Gannaway, who volunteered his ser- 
 vices and rendered himself useful in a. high degree. I think 1 
 may say that the wounded of this brigade received attention second 
 to no other brigade in the army commanded by General Bragg. 
 
 I have to report the following captare of ordnance and ordnance 
 stores: Ihree hundred Enfield rifles, (in train;) two thousand two 
 hundred Enfield rifles, diiTereut calibres, stacked on the field ; total, 
 two thousand five hundred. Sixty-nine thousand Enfield cartridges, 
 Ciilibre .five hundred and seventy-seven, (in train;) thirty-five thou- 
 s.ind Enfield cartridges issued from enemy's wagons ; fifty thousand 
 piled with small arms ; total, one hundred and fifty-four thoi^gand. 
 
 or the wagons captured this day, nine (four-horse) were secured 
 by tliis brigade; one, with team, for ordnance traia. Also, three wagon 
 loads of accoutrements. 
 
 Lieutenant Lake, in charge of the division ordnance train, has 
 Tn.'ijf the foregoing report to me. The pro rata of this capture is due 
 to Johnson's brigade, viz : One hundred Enfield rifles, seven hundrc<l 
 and thirty-three guns diflerent calibre, stacked on field; total, ciglK 
 hundred and thirty-three. Twenty-three thousand Enfield cartridges; 
 eleven thousand six hundred and sixty-six issued from enemy's wag- 
 ons; sixteen thousand six hundred and sixty-seven piled with small 
 arms; total, fifty-one thousand three hundred and thirty-three. One 
 wagon load of accoutrements I have also to enumerate. Three brass 
 twelve-pounder cannon ; three caissons for cannon, captured on the 
 field on Sunday evening by this brigade as mentioned in this report, 
 oiiO of which was hauled to the rear by Lieutenant Everett, command- 
 
•2n5 
 
 ing my battery, "uttacheJ." I would also state that one of the above 
 guns was manned by men (artillerists) i'rora the seventeenth and 
 twentj'-third Tennessee regiments, and used, under direction of Lieii- 
 tenant Dent, with good efiect on the enemy during the four hours' 
 contest on Sunday evening. I have also to mention Ordnance Ser- 
 geant J. F. Baxter, wounded on the field. This man is an uutirir.t; 
 officer and faithful to his trust. 
 
 The provost guard, under Lieutenants Ewing and Orr, rendered 
 invaluable service. I am pleased to notice the conduct of private 
 Turner Good.-ill, of the provost guard, who, in the thiirkeft of the 
 fight on Sunday evening, seeing the men all so gallantly at work and 
 hard pressed, came up with his gun and fought manfully through the 
 hottest of the fight and, by words of encouragement to his fellow soldiers 
 and example, did his whole duty as a soldier.and provost guard. 
 
 The capture of prisoners by this brigade in the two days' fight 
 exceeds six hundred men and officers sent to the rear. I would a!s^ 
 mention Lieutenant Ewing, of the provost guard, from the seven- 
 teenth Tennessee regiment, who, finding that the officers of his com- 
 pany had all been placed Iwrs de combat, asked permission and returnel 
 to take command of his company on Sunday morning. He is a wor- 
 thy and promising officer. 
 
 I have to report the following articles captured from the enemy, 
 and secured by Dr. John W. Templeton for the use of the brigade : 
 One two-horse spring ambulance, seventy dozen bandages, two pounds 
 opium, and other medicines, one dozen setts splints. Dr. Templeton 
 is the hospital steward of the forty-fourth Tennessee regiment. 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 JOHN S. FULTON, 
 Culoncl commanding Johnson"^ brigade. 
 
RErORT OF COLONEL D. C. GOVAN, COMMANDING 
 BRIGADE. 
 
 IlF.AnQl'ARTERS LionKLi.'s Br.rctDE, > 
 Mi:>sionary llidge, Odobtr 6, 1S63. J 
 
 Captain G. A. Williams, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 Captain : I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
 part taken by this brigade in the recent battle of Chickamauga, on 
 the I9th and 2ilth of September, I8G3: 
 
 On the IJSth of September, about two o'clock, P. M., I, with Gen- 
 eral W'iilthall's brigade, forming a reserve division, commanded by 
 General Liddell, in Walker's corps, arrived in front of Alexander's 
 bridge, on West Chickamauga creek. I was ordered to move 
 forward, supp -rting General Walthall's brigade in an attack to gaia 
 possession of the bridge, then hold by the enemy. Wilthail's brigii le, 
 moving forward, soon engngod the enemy, who occupied a dense thicket 
 on the south-side of the creek, near the bridge. After firing several 
 volleys he hastily retreated, leaving us in possession of the bridge, 
 which was, however, rendered useless, the planks having been removed. 
 The brigade was not actively engaged, excepting the skirmishers, who 
 were thrown forward on General Walthall's left to the creek, susiaiu- 
 ing a loss of one killed and five wounded. Moving down the creek one 
 and a half miles, I crossed at Byron's ford, and bivouacked about one 
 mile from the ford. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 19th, I moved in a southwesterly di<-ec- 
 tion, and halted in a position nearly opposite Alexander's bridge. 
 While here, awaiting orders, it was ascertained that a heavy colutnn of 
 the enemy was moving around to turn our right flank. Wilson's and 
 Ector's brigades were already engaged, and were being heavily 
 pressed. About twelve o'clock, M., 1 was ordered to move forward to 
 their support. Walthall's brigade, being on my right, formed line of 
 battle facing northward. Moving forward about one-quarter of a 
 mile, I engaged the enemy, and succeedid by a charge in driving hiin 
 from his position, capturing his artillery and three or four hundred 
 prisoners. Pursuing this advantage, I encountered his sccoi.d line, 
 which was also routed after a hotly contested tight, again leaving his 
 artillery in our possession. I had previously been cautioned by Gen- 
 eral Liddell to look well to my left flank, as a force of the enemy wcie 
 reported advancing in that direction. I accordingly instructed Colo- 
 nel GiUo.'^pie, commanding the left regiment of the brigade, to protect 
 his left by throwing skirmishers well on his flank, and, in case of being 
 attacked from that direction, to change his front so as to meet the 
 attack. About the time, or just previous to engaging the third lino, 
 a heavy column of the enemy moved on my left Hank. The IMt Regi- 
 ment, according to iny instructions, changed front bo as to meet it, 
 while the other regiments of the brigade engaged him in front. This 
 
2(17 
 
 overwhelming force, which attackcil my left flank and had gained my 
 rear, forced me to retire, which movement I executed by t^e flank, in 
 order to prevent the capture of a portion of the brigsi lo, and reformed 
 my line in rear of General Cheatham's division, then moving into 
 position. It was afterwards ascertained that we had engajjed the 
 whole of General Thomas' (Federal) corps. The two lines which I 
 had diiven back in confusion were compoiril in part of the fifth, four- 
 teenth, fifteenth, sixteenth and twenty-first regiments regular United 
 States army. l''our hundred men and some olhcers belonging to these 
 regiments were capture! and safely sent to the rear, together with 
 three I'arrott guns, compo.sing a part of Loomis' battery, designated 
 as company II, fifth artillery. United States army, which were sent to 
 the rear under chirge of three men belonging to the fir.it Lnui.^iana 
 regiment, and delivered to M.ijur I'almer, chief of artillery, Walker's 
 corps. One piece, a James riile gun, captured by the second and fif- 
 teenth Arkansas regiments, was carried lo the rear by hand by men 
 belonging to that regiment, an 1 delivered to Lieutenant .""'hannou, 
 commanding Swett's battery. The other pieces from which the enemy 
 lud been driven (the horses atiacht-d to iheiu being eithei killed or 
 disabled) we were couipclled to leave buliiiid when we retired Tnia 
 engagement Lasted nearly two hours 
 
 In the fight many gallant olhcers nnd privates were killed an'i 
 wounded. Among the first was (," ibmol L. FLMtherston, C'tmmifidiiig 
 fit'th and thirteenth .\rk;-'i ■ ;n iii-t, wholell, mortally wound -d, 
 while g-illantly ici iiu;: i, ml liie.itenant Colonel Biucuin, 
 
 corarnandiiig eighth .Viki ii~t Loui-iiani regiment, sevcridy 
 
 wounded, while carrying the color.^ tt the liead of his regiment L^te 
 in the evening I was oidend to the extreme right, on the pr.ilongHt.un 
 of the line occupied by General Cheathin, f icing westwaiil, with Wal- 
 thall's brigide on my left. Moving forward I ascertained tliat there 
 was no coiis <ler!ible force of the enemy in my front, the firing in li- 
 CHting him to be m the immediate front of General Walthall m force. 
 My left rcpi'Mint. th" -ixth and seventh y\rkauf»as, gave way, and 
 mo-e'l ;il 'iji tv..i lii;ii ,r.-d yard-" tc the rear, beinj;. as they infuriu^-d 
 TDf-, cnfilaflo i ar:d )ii i into. While in lhi:« position, otk; cf our own 
 batteries in rear fired over roy lines snd slightly wounded several of 
 my men. The fire from the battery continuing, I moved a short dis- 
 tance to the rear, and by the left flank, and fiinned on Walihall's right, 
 in which position we remained during the niglit. I was informed by 
 several officers thst there was a battery iinini'liately in ffont of the 
 last position occupied, which the enemy had abandoned, -and which I 
 might have had conveyed to the rear if I bad ascertained the fact 
 sooner. 
 
 On the morning of the 2nth, about nine o'clock, I was ordered to 
 take a position on the extreme right, snpporting Major General Breck- 
 inridge's division. Aboat noon 1 was ordered to advance, making a 
 rlight change of direction to the left. While executing this move- 
 ment, € was ordered by one of Lieutenant Geueral Polk's staff ollicert 
 to the assistance of Gist's brigaile, which was heavily pressed by the 
 •Dcmy. The officer could only give me general dircoiion as to wh'jto 
 
208 
 
 (^eneiTil Gist's. brigaile wns engaged. Er.countering no cr.pmy in, my 
 front, I commenced changing direction to the left, so as to meet the 
 enemy, who had opened fire upon me from the edge of the woods 
 immediately on my left flank. This movement, difficult at all times, 
 WBB executed across an open fielil. in an t.xposcd position and under a 
 heavy fii>e of musketry. The brigade pressed gallantly forward, and 
 euccei-ded in driving the enemy froi.n his position in the woods. 
 Continuing this circular movement to the loft, the left regiment 
 pressed up to an angle of the enemy's fortifications,- while the right 
 continued to preps the enemy across an open ficl 1, until I h-d reached 
 a position forming an acute angle with our original direction and 
 almost immediately in rear of a line of the enemy's strongest breast- 
 works. 
 
 Gist's brigade, which I bad not succeeded in finding, had fallen 
 back about the time I bad engaged the enemy. I was thus completely 
 isolated from our line. I would here state that Walthall's brigade 
 had previously been sent to another part of the field. 
 
 The eneroy, being massed in heavy force behind his breastworks 
 arid perceiving the interval between my left and the right of our lines, 
 made a rigorous attack upon my left and-succeeded, by enfilailing and 
 overlapping it, in breaking it, and thus, while the right was diiving 
 the enemy, it was in danger of being captured. This was only 
 obviated by the greatest elForts on the part of the regimental coin- 
 njanders, who, after they bail succeeded in halting their commands, 
 moved by the right flank and, by a circuitous route, succeeded in 
 rejoining the coraniarid. I immediately reformed the line, and was 
 placeii in position in the front line, on the left of General Walthall's 
 brigade. 
 
 About five o'clock, P. M., orders were received to advance. There 
 was a considerable interval between me and Jackson's brigade, next 
 on my left, which fact was represented to General Liddell, and by hiia 
 communicated to General Walker. The movement cmnmenced, ], in 
 obedience to orders, conforming my uiovcments to those of General 
 ^Valthall's brigade, next on my right. I passed on, moving square 
 to the front, two of the regiments pas.-^ing through an open field, 
 through which I had executed the change of direction to the left in 
 the engagements last mentioned. The skirmishers in my front 
 developed no enemy. 
 
 Just before reaching the Chattanooga and Lafayette road, Captain 
 Stringfellow, first Louisiana, in corauiand of the skirmishers, reported 
 to me that he saw two of the enemy's batteries in position, about two 
 hundred and fifty yards from my left flank, on either side of the 
 above mentioned road, supported by a long line of infantry. Jack- 
 son's brigade, which was some distance to my left and rear, having 
 engaged the enemy in his front, had halted, thus leaving vay left 
 entirely unprotected. Upon examination I found the report of Cap- 
 tain Stringtellow to bo correct, di.scovering the enemy to be in 
 position as he represented. It was impossible, from the dif j^sition 
 of the enemy's force, for mo to estriuate myself by changing my 
 front. Reaching a position just across the road, and on a line with 
 
209 
 
 General WalthaH'j left, I ordered the men to lie down. The enemy 
 immediately opened fire from the two batteries on my left, and alio 
 with Broall arms; while two batteries, afterward^ ascertained to be oa 
 Get:eral Walthall's right, opened almost at the same time. Under 
 this heavy and galling 6re, no other alternative was left but to with- 
 draw the brigade as speedily as possible, to save it from annihilation 
 or capture.. The brigade retreated in considerable confusion, bnt 
 was promptly rallied, and reformed some three or four hundred yards 
 in rear. 
 
 Shortly afterwards. I again advanced to a position near the house of 
 McDonald, on the Chittanooga and Lafayette road, and some distance 
 to the right of the position from which 1 had just been ilriven. Just 
 about this time the enemy's line gave way in every quarter, and the 
 battle was ended. 
 
 The loss in officers and privates was very heavy, being over fifty 
 per cent, of the number carried into the fight, a report of which is 
 herewith forwarded. 
 
 For instances of individual bravery and skill among company ofS- . 
 cers and privates, I refer yon to reports of regimental commanders. 
 Among the field officers, Lieutenant Colonels John L. Murray and R. 
 F. Harvey, the former commanding the fifth and thirteenth A/kansas 
 regiments, the latter the second and fifteenth Arkansas regiments, 
 ■were particularly distinguished for their gallantry during the engage- 
 ments; and by their coolness and skill, on two occasions, saved their 
 regiments from capture. 1 strongly recommend the first (Lieutenant 
 Colonel Murray) to the favorable consideration of the President as 
 one particularly distinguished for his skill and gallantry in the battle 
 of Chickamauga. To Lieutenant Cohmel Harvey, then commanding 
 the second and fifteenth regiments, an equal meed of praise is due, 
 but, unfortunately for the service, this gallant officer died on the 3nth 
 instant of disease contracted by over-exertions on the field, lamented 
 by all who knew him. 
 
 To Captain Fletcher, companjiyA, thirteenth Arkansas regiment, I 
 am indebted for earing one piece of Swett's battery, which had 
 several horses disabled anil, but for his timely efforts, would have 
 fallen into the enemy's hands. He seized the colors of the second 
 and fifteenth Arkansas regiments and rallied enough, men to drive 
 back the ^nemy, whose skirmishers were within a short distance of 
 the gun. 
 
 Lieutenant Shannon, commanding Swett's battery, handled it with 
 distinguished skill and gallantry, and most effectively, whenever an 
 opportunity offered. 
 
 The members of my staff. Lieutenant J. G. Warfield, assistant 
 adjutant and inspector general, Lieufnant W. L. Laurie, asustant 
 adjutant general, and Licntenaut G. T Saowden, aid-de-camp, ren- 
 dered me efficient aid and were always at my command. 
 
 In conrli-i n. ,\? an act of justice t6 the brigade which I had the 
 
 honor t and with which I have been associated in all the 
 
 hard co:. . ,'.-$ in the west, from Sbiloh to this last memorable 
 
 one, I beg lcr;ve to slate that they never failed to drive the enemy in 
 
 U 
 
210 
 
 their front, and advanced each time witli a single line, unsupported, 
 and with one or the other of my flanks unprotected, and that on no 
 former occasion was their courage and endurance more severely 
 tested, nor in any previous battle did they ever exhibit more deter- 
 iiiined bravery and gallantry. 
 
 I aui, Captain, very respectfully, vour obedient servant, 
 
 D. C. GOVAN, 
 Colonel ^commanding 'Brigade. 
 
RErORT OF COLONEL R. Q. MILLS, COMMANDING 
 BRIGADE. 
 
 IlEAnQUARTEHS DESIfLEU's BpifiADE, } 
 
 Missionary liidgt, Oct. 6, 13G3. i 
 
 Captnin J. A. Bick, 
 
 A. A. General Cleburne's Division : 
 
 Captain: In complinncc with orders from general hcaflquartcrs, I 
 hi^rcwith submit my report of the action of thid brigade ia the battle 
 of the Ittth and Si'th ultimo: 
 
 This brigade, composed of Colonel Wilkes' Texas regiment, Colonel 
 Mills' Texas regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Hutchinson's Arkansas 
 regiment, and Capt;un Dnuglas' Texas battery, under command of 
 Brigadier General James Deshler, moved about three o'clock, P. M., 
 on Saturday, the i; th ultimo, from a point near the junction of the 
 Lafiiyette and McLcmore's valley roads, towards our extreme right,, 
 and ill rear and {Parallel with our line of battle. About half-past four 
 o'clock, P. M., we crossed s branch of the Chickainauga and moved 
 directly and hastily forward to the extreme right, where the bnttlo 
 seemed raging with great fierceness. After passing, for sometime, 
 through swarms of stragglers, prisoners and wountled, we arrived on 
 the line, and were formed, facing o^r right fiank, and moved forward 
 to the attack, and proceeded some twohundreil yards, when the brigade 
 was hnltcd and ordered to le down. In a few minutes we rose up and 
 advanced to the front, and occupied some time in getting our position. 
 
 It was now getting dark, but the firing was still heavy and conptant 
 beiwfcn the enemy and some brigade opposite our extreme right and 
 p«-r|iendiciilar to our line. We were not more than a hundred yards 
 f.-om liis right flank, where he had a battery of artillery firing at the 
 tn ops on onr right. We remained here some minutes. Brigadier 
 G<neral I)eshlcr did not know but that the battery was our own, and 
 dtcliiied to advance on it in the dark ; it being then imposfiblo to dis-- 
 tingTiish friend from foe. The contest in front of our tight was Boon 
 decided in favor of the Confederates. The enemy was beaten b.-ick, 
 and there was a temporary lull on tlie field. The skirmishers from 
 Ctbnfl Wilkes' rcg;racnt, in moving forward in the dark, came sud- 
 der.lv and unexpectedly on the enemy's line and were captured. He,, 
 in attempting to retreat frcm the brigade in his front, as unexpectedly 
 can e upon (.'olonnl Wilkes' regiment on his flank, where he wa;* greeted 
 with a volley that killed and wounded several and caused them to 
 prop<"'S0 a Burremler, when about one bundled prisoners, inclu'iing 
 »ev( ral officers, were taken, together with two stand of colors from 
 the -eventy-pevenih Illinois and the seventy-ninth Pennsylvania, by 
 Colorel Wilkrs' regiment, against which the main force came. Some 
 dozen or more were takon, e:ich, by Lieutenant Colonel Anderson and 
 Lieutenant Colonel Hutchinaon. In th^ affair Colonel Wilkes al«o 
 recaptured his skirmishers. This, with the exception ot occacioua'L 
 
212 
 
 firing by our skirmifhers, terminated the fighting for the night. We 
 moved back Bcveral hundred yards and formed line of battle, and laid 
 down to rest till morning. In the night our line was again reformed, 
 throwing forward our left wing. 
 
 About half-past nine o'clock, on the morning of the 2ilth, we moved 
 off a short distance by the left flank, and then advanced to the front, 
 jnseing through a pojtion of Major General Chc.itham's division, 
 llaving gained an open ground several hundred yards in our front, 
 the enemy began, from one or two long-range guns, to shell cur line, 
 and, as we approached nearer, gave us several shots of canister, killing 
 and wounding some fifteen or twenty men. We finally arrived, about 
 ten o'clock, A. M., on the ground we were ordered to occupy. We 
 found it being hastily abandoned by the troops who were occupying 
 it before we came. We advanced to the crest of the bill, some two 
 hundred yards in front of the enemy's barricades and breastworks, 
 when he opened a destructive fire upon us. ^Ve were ordered to lie 
 down and commence firing. AVe now began the engagement in 
 earnest, but at great disadvantage. The enemy was behind his 
 defences, and we without cover; he had two batteries of artillery, we 
 had none, our own battery not being able to get a pSsition to give us 
 aid. Captain Scmple's splendid battery was on the hill with us, and 
 on the extreme left of the brigade, when we moved up and occupied 
 the hill. It fired a few shots, and was moved to some other portion 
 of the ficlil. The enemy poured on our heads, from ten o'clock, A. 
 M., to half-past one or two o'elocli, P. M., a constant and terrible fire 
 of artillery and musketry, which we returned with our rifles, with the 
 eame constancy and stubbornness. 
 
 About twelve o'clock, M., our supply of ammunition began to give 
 out, and I sent a courier to Brigadier General Deshler to inform him 
 of the fact and->to ask where we could get more. A few minutes after 
 I saw him coming towards my ri;;ht, some forty paces from me, when 
 he was struck by a shell in the chest and his heart literally torn fron 
 his bosom. I may pause here to pay a passing tiibute to the memory 
 of our fallen chief. He was brave, generous and kind, even to a fault. 
 Ever watchful and careful for the safety of any member of his com- 
 mand, he was ever ready to peril his own. Refusing to permit a staff 
 officer to endanger his life in going to examine the cartriilge boxes to 
 see what amount of animuniton his men had, he cheerfully started 
 himself to brave the tempest of death that raged on the crest of the 
 hill. He had gone but little way when he fell — fell as he would \Vi8h 
 to fall — in the very centre of his brigade, in the midst of the lino, 
 between the ranks, and surrounded by the bodies of his fallen com- 
 rades. He poured out his blood upon the spot watered by the best 
 blood of his brigade. Among the host of brave hearts that were 
 offered on the altar of sacrifice for their country on that beautiful 
 Sabbath, there perished not one nobler, braver or better than his. He 
 lived beloved, and fell lamented and mourned by every officer and 
 man of his command. He sleeps on the spot where ho fell ; on the 
 field of his country's victory and glory, surrounded by the bodies of 
 those who stood around him in life, and lie around him in death. A 
 
/,A„ . //.-i 
 
213 
 
 messenger from Colonel Wilkes' regiment informed me of the fact soon 
 nfter General Deslilcr fell, also that Colonel Wilkes was wounded and 
 not with the regiment. 
 
 Just at this critical juncture our ammunition was exhausted, and 
 no one knew where to get more. I assumed command, and, suppos- 
 ing that the enemy would advance as soon as the firing ceased, 1 
 ordered ha3-onet3 fixed and ihe cartridge-boxes of the wounded and 
 dead to be gathered, and one round from ttem to be given to each 
 man to load his gun with, and hold his fire in reserve to repel an 
 assault. While this order was being executed. Lieutenant Colonel 
 Anderson, who was on the left of my regiment, sent Lieutenant Gra- 
 h:iin to inform rae that the four left companies had not been firing. 
 Being at too great a distance from the enemy, he had the good sense 
 to prevent them from wasting their ammunition unnecessarily. I 
 immediately ordered those four companies to the front on the hill, 
 where the fire was hottest, and ordered Lieutenant Colonel Ander- 
 son to take command of them and hold the hill at every hazard, till 
 I could get arbmunition and have it distributed. I soon procured the 
 ammunition, and refilled my cartridge-boxea. At this time, one of 
 the JLijor General's .^taff came to me and informed me that I was 
 ordered to hold the hill on which the brigade was formed ; that I was 
 not permitte<l to advance, and must not retire if it were possible to 
 hold my position.. I therefore moved my command at once some 
 twenty or thirty paces to the rear of the crest, and on the side of the 
 hill, for cover, leaving a body of sharpshooters behind trees on the 
 tofi of the hill to keep up a fire with the enemy. The enemy's fire 
 soon slackened down to a contest between the skirmishers. At the 
 same time, he advanced a lino of skirmishers toward the open space 
 between myj|omrfi3nd and Brigadier General Polk, on my right. I 
 soon rcceivea information from Lieutenant Colonel Coit, then com- 
 manding Wilkes' regiment, that the enemy was moving around my 
 ri^ht flank in force. I ordered him to throw out a company of flank- 
 ers and engage them. In less than twenty minutes 1 was informed 
 that our ekirmishers were retiring before the enemy. I immedi- 
 ately ordered Lieutenant Colonel Hutchinson to reinforce the skir- 
 mishers with one company from his regiment, which was promptly 
 done. Still hearing of this flank movement, I ordered Captain Ken- 
 ard, of Lieutenant Col. Anderson's regiment, to reinforce the other 
 two companies with his, take command himself of these companies, 
 put his men under good cover, and hold the enemy in check at all 
 hazards. lie very promptly moved with his company to the ground, 
 assumed command of the three companies, repulne 1 the enemy's ekir- 
 nishers, and held his position without a serious struggle. A strag- 
 gling fire was kept up between the enemy and my sharpshootera till 
 late in the evening, when the advance of our left wing c»used him to 
 abandon his works and take to his heels. The troops of my command, 
 both officers and men, behaved with the greatest bravery, coolness 
 fti.ds'."' I, during the whole rTig;i^ement. They advanced 
 
 With ri . under heavy fire of ^!l.Ii, canister and muiketry, 
 
 to tbc.r . .(....., »ud held it with firmnebs and unwaveiing fortitude 
 
214 
 
 4 
 
 throughont the fijrht. Texnns vied with each other to prove 
 tbemselves worthy of the fame won by their brothers on other fields, 
 and the little handful of Arkansas troops showed themsclvea worthy 
 to have their names enrolled among the noblest, bravest and best of 
 their State. It is scarcely possible for them to exhibit higher evi- 
 dences of courage, patriotism and pride on any other field. They 
 were not perruitted to advance, and would not retire, but, as brave 
 men and good soldiers, they ol)eyed the orders of their general 
 and held the hill. Ijieutenant Colonel Anderson, Lieutenant 
 ("olonel Hutchinson and Major Taylor remained constantly on the 
 line, handl(Ml their commands with ability and conducted themselves 
 gallantly through the entire action. , 
 
 I most respectfully refer you to the reports of su<)ordinate commanders 
 for particular acts of gallantry, lists of casualties, etc. I feel it my 
 ■luty, however, to record here the names of Lieutenant Matt. Graham; 
 of company C, tenth Texas regiment, and Private Willam McCann, 
 of company A. fifteenth Texas regiment, as worthy. of honorable 
 mention for their conduct, more than ordinarily gallant, on the fiehl. 
 Lieutenant Graham several times volunteered, and insisted on being 
 permitted, to carry orders and messages up and down the line, where 
 he was constantly exposed to' the thickest fire. His services were 
 highly beneficial to Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, who speaks of him 
 in terms of highest praise. Private McCann was under my own eye. 
 He stood upright, cbeeiful and self-possessed in the very hail of <ieadly 
 missiles, and cheered up his comrades around him. After he had 
 ej:pcndeil all bis aramuniticn, lie gutheied up the cartridge-boxes of 
 the dead and wounded, and distributed them to his comrades. He 
 bore himself like a hero through the entire contest^and fell mortally 
 wounded by tiic last voll jys of the enemy. I promise^him during 
 the engagement that I would mention his good conduct, and, as he 
 was borne dying from the field, he turned his boyish face upon me and, 
 with a light and pleasant smile, reminded me of my promise. 
 
 The first Texas battery, commanded by Captain James P. Douglas, 
 ■belonging to Deshler's brigade, was not engaged on the 10th. On 
 the 2llth it followed the brigade as far as the open field, covered 
 thickly with felled timber, v.hen, finding it impossible to follow us fur- 
 ther, Captiiin ])ougla8 moved towards our loft flank and came into 
 another fieM, where he was exposed to the enemy's fire. He imme- 
 diately opened fire on Douglas from two of his batteries, killing one 
 of his horses and knocking down one of his wheels. He extricated 
 himself from this position, and, by order of Major General Cleburne, 
 took position on the bill with the brigades of Brigadier Generals Wood 
 snd Polk, in rear of my line. He afterwards moved down on tile 
 right (0 where Brigailier General Polk was warmly engaging the 
 enemy, tlisengaged his horses and carried his pieces by hand in the 
 very face of the foe. He fired a few rounds at sixty or eighty yards 
 distant from the enemy, advancing his pieces by hand with the line of 
 1'rig. General Polk's brigade. The enemy were soon routed'and fled 
 the field. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on Captain Douglas 
 and the officers and men of his battery, for their gallant conduct. 
 
215 
 
 They were not ongngcl for any cor.si.kr^b e length of umo, but the 
 very short quarters at which Captain Douglas threw down the gsunt- 
 let soon aecideJ the enemy to yield the field to a battery that could 
 charge a brigade of infantry behind their rifle-pits Captains J. b. 
 llcarne and B F. Blackburne, and Lieutenant G. V,. Jewell, of the 
 brigade staff, arc entitled to my thanks for promptly reporting to mc 
 when Brigadier General Deshler fell, and for their vala;.ble etrv.ces 
 rendered to me during the engggemcnt 
 
 The aggregate strength of the brigade, including the battery, on 
 the morning of the 19lh, was seventeen hundred and e.ghty-three. J 
 lost in the fight fifty-two killed and three hundred .and sixty-s.x 
 
 wounded. . , , c. 
 
 1 have the honor to be, Kc, 
 
 K. <J. MILLS. 
 Cohnd commandiitg Brigade. 
 
RErORT OF COLONEL J. H. LEWIS, COMMANDING 
 BRIGADE. 
 
 Hk\1)ijuarter3 Helm's Bricadf., ) 
 Before Chattanooga, Sepitmber 30, 1S63. \ 
 
 Major James Wilsov, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General : ' 
 
 Sir : The death of Brigadier General B. II. Ilclin makes it my duty, 
 83 senior colonel,coiniii:mding, to report the part taken by this bri- 
 gade in the actions of the 19th and 20th instants : 
 
 On the Bfternoon of the I8th the brigade took position on the right 
 bmk of West Chickamauga, near Glaas' mill, except the second Ken- 
 tucky regiment deployed on the^pposite side as skirmishers. 
 
 Ou the morning of the 19th the command, with Cobb's battery, 
 crossed the stream. About nine. A. M , a shot from the battery into 
 a house about five hundred yards off, where the enemy's skirmishers 
 were concca]e<l, excited an immediate response from the enemy farther 
 to the right, followed soon after by a spirited artillery duel, in which 
 Slocomb's battery, which bad, in the meantime, crossed over, partici- 
 pated ; resulting in silencing the enemy. Soon, however, another 
 battery of the enemy opened fire still farther to the right. In a 
 short time, orders having been issued from Major General Breckin-. 
 ridge to that effect, the whole command recrossed the stream and 
 moved to tlio Chattanooga road. Fourteen men of this brigade were 
 killed and wounded on this occasion. From thence wo moved 
 towards Chattanooga, to the position held by and relieving Deas' bri- 
 gade. About two liours after nightfall we reached a point one and 
 one-half miles beyond Alexamler's bridge, where wo bivouacked until 
 three, A. M., 20th instant, when we were ordered to our position in 
 line of battle one mile or more beyond and on the left of the division. 
 We got into position and were ready to advance by about half past 
 five, A. M. Soon after getting into position, one company from each 
 regiment was, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Wickliffe, of the 
 ninth Kentucky, deployed two hundred and fifty yards in advance as 
 f-kiniiishers. Becoming hotly engaged with the enemy, the fourth 
 Kentucky regiment. Colonel Nuckolls commanding, was ordered to 
 their support. The skirmishers of the enemy, having the advantage 
 in position, showed determination and kept up a rapid fire, wound- 
 ing several officers and men before the advance of the brigade. 
 Amongst others severely wounded was Colonel Nuckolls, by which 
 Lis command was thereafter deprived of the services of this gallant 
 and meritorious officer. 
 
 Between nine and ten, A^ M., the brigade advanceil in the following 
 order, viz : the sixth Kentucky, 'Colonel Lewis, and the second Ken- 
 tucky, Lieutenant Colonel Hewitt commamling, on the extreme right 
 and left respectively. The fourth Kentucky, Major Thojnpson, and 
 ninth Kentucky, Colonel Caldwell commanding, on the right and left 
 
217 
 
 centre respectively, ami the forty-first Alabama, Colonel Stansell com- 
 manding, in the centre. 
 
 The enemy's fortifications did not extend the entire length of the 
 brigade front, bat the sixth and fourth and Bcven companies of the 
 forty-first, in advancing, passed to the right and clear of thera, 
 consequently fighting the foe on something like equal terms. This 
 portion of the command, with but a momentary halt and ao hesitation, 
 steadily drove the enemy back to within one hundred yards of the 
 Chattanooga road, when I discovered a battery of two Napoleon guns 
 fifty yards beyond the road. Here I also discovered, for the first time, 
 what the thicker growth of timber had prevented mo from observing 
 before, that the left of the brigade was considerably in rear. Neither 
 a halt or retreat at this time was, in my judgment, proper or allowa- 
 ble. So the command was giVen to take the battery, and it wa? done.* 
 Soon after crossing the road. Captain ilcCawley, of General IKlm's 
 staff, informed me that thp General had been mortally wounded, near 
 the position occupied by the left of the brigade. 
 
 The r'ght not being then under fire, I left it in command of Lieu- 
 tenant. Colonel Cofer, and started, on Captain McCawlcy's horse, to 
 wh«re the other portion of tlie brigade was. I encountered con^iider- 
 able difficulty in reuniting the brigade, on account of the the distance 
 apart and the want of staff ai<l — having no one with me but Captain 
 Hewitt, and not him immediately, on account of the loss of his horse. 
 Although not personally cognizant of tho*behavior of the left of the bri- 
 gade previous to assuming command, yet I am warranted by information 
 of an entirely satisfactory kind in Fpca"king of it. Justice to the living, 
 and affectionate memory of the dead, make it a duty and a pleasure 
 to allude to their conduct in terms of praise. 
 
 After advancing about four hundred yards, they encountered a heavj 
 musketry and artillery fire in front, and also an enfilading fire from 
 the left, wliich the failure of the command to their left to advance 
 simultaneously with Breckinridge's divi.sion enabled the enemy to pour 
 into their ranks. Besides, I am satisfied they were subjected to a fire 
 on their right from the two pieces subsequently Captured by the right 
 of the brigade. Yet three several timei this devoted little band 
 charged the enemy, securely fortified and in a favorable position. 
 Though necessarily repui?ed, their frightful loss shows their constancy 
 and bravety. Here the kind, pure, brave Brigadier General B. H. 
 Helm wa? mortally wounded, heroically doing his duty. Lieutenant 
 Colonel James W. Hewitt, in advance of his regiment, and showing 
 a devotion and daring entitled to the highest commendation, was killed. 
 Colonel Caldwell was severely wounded, as usual, in his place, doing 
 his duty. Robert C. Anderson, color-sergeant eecond Kentucky, was 
 killed upon the enemy's work«, after having planted his colors thereon. 
 Here fell many snothcr-officer and Boldier, life images of Kentucky'i 
 old, renowned and valiant soldiers, true men. The Uooi of her icns 
 also attest Alabama's chivalry and manhood. 
 
 As. soon as I ascertained the ex:ict position of the left. I caused it to 
 be moved by the right flank to the right, and in advance of where it 
 wai then, trll the right of the brigade, under commaud of Lieutenant 
 
 I 
 
21S 
 
 Colonel Cofer, was met — behaving recrosscd the road — Then I formed 
 the brigade in line of battle nearly perpendicular to the road and to the 
 enemy's works About this time I received orders from Lieutenant 
 Geueral Hill, through one of his staff, not to advance, but to await 
 the arrival of frosh troops. In a short time Gist's brigade attacked 
 the enemy, passing through my lines for that purpose, but was drawn 
 back. Eetot's brigade then advanced, but being unable to drive tho 
 enemy from his works, finally fell back, leaving this brigade again to 
 Confront the enemy. My men, though at this time nearly exhausted 
 by several hours hard fighting, and sufl'ering greatly for want of water, 
 remained firm, no one leaving his place. After the repnlso of the 
 other two brigades, 1 was ordered to retire severs' 1 hundred yards to 
 _ the rear to rest the men, which was doije in good order and without 
 confusion. 
 
 Late in the afternoon Walker's division advanced against the 
 enemy, a portion of it attacking the same point tho left of this bri- 
 gade did in the morning. Being with my coiuniand ahout faur hun- 
 dred yards in rear at that time, and out of sight of tho combatants, 
 I could not see with what result the attack was made, though a, short 
 time thereafter Cheatham's division moved to the attack over the satnc 
 ground — Bright's brigade, of that division, passing through the lines 
 of this brigade. After some time had elapsed, ami it appearing feom 
 the firing that no apprcciablc^advantage had beo» gained, tiiis br'gade 
 was moved forward, beinj on the left of the division. In advancing, 
 it was discovere 1 that tho centre brigade of the division lapped on 
 mine, making it necessary for me to oblique to the Irft about two hun- 
 dred yards. It was also necessary to advance the left more rapidly 
 than the riglit v. ing, in order to get on a line more parallel with tho 
 enemy. Both these difficult movements were executed while march- 
 ing through the woods, without any material derangement of the line, 
 t!ie command moving steadily and unfalteringly forward. 
 
 Upon arriving in sight of the enemy's fortifications, the brigade 
 rapidly charged upon them, driving them from their stronghold in 
 confusion towards the Chattanooga road. The pursuit was continued 
 across an open field till the road was reached, when, it being dark, I 
 judged it prudent to halt, which met the approval of Lieutenant Gen- 
 eral Hill, who, close after us, immediately came up. In passing 
 through the fortifications a number of prisoners were captured and 
 sent to the rear. We also captured two pieces of artillery in the road, 
 which our rapid pursuit of the enemy prevented their carrying ofl"' — 
 one Napoleon and one James rifle. The nature of the ground, wood- 
 land, prevented Cobb's battery performing tho important part in this 
 action he and his gallant company Lave so often done, and knew so 
 well how to do — though, in the afternoon, one section, under the 
 gallant and faithful (Jracey, was placed in p"osilion under General 
 Forrest. I refer you to Captain Cobb's report for an account of their 
 behavior on that occasion. 
 
 I am not enabled to state the e.\act number engaged in the actions 
 of the 19th and 2()th. Hut one thousand three hundred is the approx- 
 imate number of officers and men, including Cobb's battery. The 
 
pi9 
 
 whole number of casualties were Bixty-tbrce killed awl four hundred 
 and eight wounded. 
 
 It would afford me pleasure to designate, by name, the officers and 
 men who bo gallantly fought on these two occasions, for, with very 
 few exceptions, all did their duty. But to do so would swell this 
 report to an inordinate sise. However, I feel it to be my duty, and 
 take pleasure in tho pcrform^ince of it, to call attention to the con- 
 duct of the fit'ld officers of the difl'erent regiments. Lieutenant Colo- 
 nel Cofcr. in command of the sixth, after I took comrai-.nd of the bri- 
 gide ; Mnjor Chuk, of the same regiment; Major Thompson, in com- 
 mand of the fourth, after Colonel Nuckolls was wounded ; Captain 
 Millett, senior captain, acting field officer, of the same regiment, and 
 Major Nash, in command of the seren companies of the forty-first 
 Alabama, all ca.-ne under my observation. In each I remarked 
 constancy, gallantry and coolness. In the afternoon, Colonel Stan- 
 sell, of the forty-first, Lieutenant Colonel WicklifFe, in command of 
 the ninth, after Colonel Cnldwell was wounded, and Captain (lillam, 
 acting field officer, of the same regiment, attracted my notice, and 
 but confirmed the good account I had of them in the morning. Cap- 
 tain Lee, of the second Kentucky, though too unwell to endure the 
 fatigue throughout the day, acted as field officer with his,accustomeil 
 bravery in the charges made by the left in the morning. 
 
 It is the highest praise I can possibly bestow on the officers of the 
 brigade, to say they proved themselves, in nearly every case, worthy 
 f their commnnd.s. 
 
 Of the staff of Brigadier General Helm, I take pleasure in bearing 
 testimony in behalf of, and making special mention of, Captain 
 Fayette Hewitt, assistant adjutant general. As soon as he was ena- 
 bled to do so, he reported to me, and througliout the entire action, 
 after the death of General Helvi, as well as previous thereto, as I 
 learn, he di'^played coolness, gallantry and judgment. 
 
 Captain G. W. McCawley, assistant inspector general, prrmptly 
 reported to me the wounding of General Helm, as before stated, at 
 which time I got from him his horse, not having my own with me, 
 when he returned to where General Helm was wounded, and remained 
 with him. I am reliably informed that previous thereto he was in his 
 place on the left, and »cted bravely and efficiently. 
 
 Captam Helm, acting commissary subsistence, though not com- 
 pelle<l to do so, went on the field and did his dnty. 
 
 Lieutenant W. llerr, aid-de-cnmp, and Licijtcnant John T'irtle, 
 acting ai'1-de-camp, reported to me as soon as the necessary attention 
 t' th'-ir wounded General allowed, and thereafter acted gallantly and 
 faithfully. 
 
 I enclose the several reports of regim'^ntal arid the battery com- 
 mander*, together with a list of killed and wounded. 
 
 I am, very rcspectfiilly, your obedient servant, 
 
 JOSEPH H. LEWl.s?. 
 CoUmtl rommandivg Helm't bri-gnde. 
 
REPORT OF COLONEL R. L. GIBSON, COMMANDING 
 BRIGADE. 
 
 lltADuUARTERS AdaMs' EkIGADE, ) 
 
 September 26, 1863. \ 
 
 Major James Wilson, 
 
 A. A. General Breckinridge's Division : 
 
 Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of the part 
 taken by this brigade, composed of the thirteenth and twentieth Lou- 
 isiana volunteers, CBlonel Leon Von Zeniken; sixteenth and twentj-fifth 
 Louisiana volunteers, Colonel D. Gober ; nineteenth Louisiana volun- 
 teeas. Lieutenant Colonel R. W. Turner; tliirty-second Alabama vol. 
 unteers, Major T. C. Kimball, and Austin's battalion Louisiana sharp- 
 shooters, with Siocomb's battery Washington artillery, in the battle 
 of Chickainauga, from the moment that I assumed command : 
 
 I was engaged in reforming my regiment when informed that Brig- 
 adier Gen. D. W. Adams having been disabled by a wound, the command 
 of the brigade devolved upon me. I at once ascertained that there was no 
 support on the left of the brigade, and ordered the co;nmaud to form 
 on the rear slope of the hill upon which Captain C. II. Slocomb's 
 battery Washington artillery was posted. This having been accom- 
 plished, I left the lino in charge of Colonel Daniel Gober, sixteenth 
 and twenty-fifth Louisiana volunteers, and hastened to the left, where 
 I observed several regiments falling back. One of these I at once 
 moved to the support of the line on the left, and directed Captain 
 Labouisse, A. 1. G., to bring up another, retreating through the 
 woods, to the same position. V\^ith Qpptain Slocomb's assistance, he 
 succeeded in placing two regiments in position. They were Lclieved 
 to belong to the brigade on our left. The thirty-second Alabama vol- 
 unteers and Austin's battalion, which had not participated in the 
 charge, but h;id been ordered to oppose the advance of a column of 
 the enemy's infantry, reported on our right and rear, were called in 
 and directed to join the brigade on the right of the battery. It was 
 deemed best to occupy ourselves with the enemy in sight, leaving the 
 cavalry reports for after consideration. These dispositions had just 
 been made, when Major General Breckinridge reached us and approved 
 them. ^ , 
 
 Captain Slocomb, whose battery had made a noble stand, here in- 
 formed mo that he was considerably cut up, and that he thought it 
 best to retire for a short time. He was ordered to retire. In less than 
 two hours ho again reported ready for action, having equipped himself, 
 in ucirly everything needed, from the battery taken by the brigade in 
 approaching, for the first time, the main Chattanooga road. 
 
 I do not think it worth while to speak of the different lines of battle 
 taken before again engaging the enemy. About four o'clock, by order 
 of Major General Breckinridge, the brigade was posted about three 
 hundred yards in rear of Major General AValker's command, (General 
 
221 
 
 Liddell's division.) The line was here puhjected to Pome shelling, and 
 it became apparent that our forces in front were unsuccessful in their 
 attacks. About sundown General Brcckinridjze turned to mc and 
 directed that I should advance, and at the same time execute a chancre 
 of direction to the left. ] had advanced but a short distance, when I 
 saw, from \shat vnbs occurring in front of us, that our lines in advance 
 were giving away under an enfilading fire from the left, and I there- 
 fore gained as much ground to the left as time and circumstances 
 would permit. The movement forward was made slowly, carefully and 
 witli all possilile precision. We passed over sevetal lines of troops as 
 we advanced, who cheered us heartily. The extreme right rcginient 
 was detained a few moments by one of these lines, a? will be seen bv 
 referring to Colonel Gobcr's report, I determined, if possible, not to 
 fire a gun, and it is due to the officers and men of the brigade that I 
 should state that we passed through a line engaging the enemy with- 
 out halting and without firing, and continued to advance, moving in 
 perfect Older, until within a few paces of the enemy, when a charge 
 was ordered and the whole command, with a terrific yell, sprang upon 
 him. A volley ^^as receive<l without effect ; a second, from the bjirri- 
 cades of trees and stones, checked us for an instant; but the officers 
 rushed forward again, the men followed, and the enemy, panic stricken, 
 fled in the wildest disorder. Not a moment was to be lost; the brigade 
 was lirged forward^ its centre resting near the fence which separated 
 the coin-field from the woods, the Itft extending into the field. We 
 thus continued to drive the enemy from every position for three-quar- 
 ters of a mile, until we had entered the woods about seventy yards 
 from the Chattanooga road, where it was halted. Darkness was doit 
 rapidly approaching. 
 
 I had sent Lieutenant Ware, of the staff, to the left, and he reported 
 to me that there were tio troops on that* flank; confirming the state- 
 ment of Colonel Von Zeniken. commanding the left regiment. I had 
 gone myself to the right. I deemed it pioper therefore to halt and 
 to rectify the alignment, which had become broken in the pursuit, 
 before advancing further. This had just been finished when Lieu- 
 tenant General Hill rode op and, observing that we had done well, 
 directed that I should throw forward skirmisher? for the diptance of a 
 •jiile. A few moments afterwards I wa« ordered by Major General 
 Breckinridge to bivouac near the main Chattanooga road, and I 
 accordingly moved b«ck to this position. Many prisoners remained 
 within our linos during the charge, but no attention was paid to them; 
 they numbered pri'U*yy three or four hundred. 
 
 The position stormed was held by a brigade of United States regulars, 
 «nder Brig. General King. The enemy's dead and wounded marked the 
 track of the brignde. ^jany hundreds of small arms were found ujion 
 the field next inorniriL'. A battery was taken by the tlirteenth an! 
 twentieth Louisiana, but the gallant manner in which the reraainler 
 of the brigade behaved entitles them to share in the credit of the 
 capture. 
 
 In the night our skinnifthers, under Captain E. M. Dnbroca, com- 
 pany B, thirteenth and twentieth Louisiana, 8f&t in thirty prisonerc, 
 
232 
 
 «inong them several oflScers ; and Major T. E. Austin's battalion 
 brought in fifty more next day. The brigade halted victorious at 
 night on the very ground whence it had recoiled at mid-day. 
 
 1 would respectfully refer the Major Gcnerui commanding to the 
 reports of subordinate comnianders for the parts their commands bore 
 in the battle. 
 
 Among the oflScers, Colonel Daniel Gober, sixteenth and twenty- 
 fifth Louisiana, and Colonel Leon Von Zeniken, thirteenth and twen- 
 tieth Louisiana, were conspicuous for courage and skill. All theoffi. 
 cers and men behaved with commendable gallantry. Mnjor C. H. 
 Moore, sixteenth and twenty-fifth Louisiana ; Major T. C. Kimball, 
 thirty-second Alabama; Captain H. A. Kennedy, nineteenth Louisiana, 
 ■who commanded in the evening charge, and Captain E. JL Dubroca, 
 thirteenth and twentieth Louisiana, showed themselves officers well 
 fitted to handle troops on the field. The report of Captain C. H. Slo- 
 comb, Washington artillery, shows how large a share his command 
 bore in the engagement. I cannot speak in terms too high of the 
 bearing of the officers and men of this battery. The skill of the 
 former is only equalled by the bearing of the latter. 
 
 Our valor-inspiring chief of artillery, Major Graves, of Major 
 General Breckinridge's staff, fell, mortally wounded, in the arms of 
 Captain C. IL Slocomb. He fell, where his heroic soul desired, on the 
 battle-field, among those who loved him, and in the arms of a brave 
 comrade. 
 
 But our success was not without heavy loss. Our chivalrous com- 
 mander. Brigadier General D. W. Adams, was wounded in the charge 
 of the morning and fell into the hands of the enemy. Li''utenant 
 Colonel II. W. Turner, nineteenth Louisiana, was wounded, and the 
 brave Major Loudon Butler, of the same regiment, breathed his last 
 at the hea'l of his regiment. jOf General Adams' staff, I am indebted 
 for valuable services to John W. Labouisse, A. L G., who was ever 
 prompt and eflicient, and to Lieutenants E. M. Scott and G. S. Yerger 
 likewise for zeal and bravery. Nor should I omit to pay a special 
 tribute to the soldierly bearing of Lieutenant S L. Ware. He is en- 
 titled to much credit for his conspicuous gallantry. The gallant adju- 
 tant general, Captain E. P. Guillet, was already wounded. Major M. 
 Hanly, A. Q. M , and Major W. V. Crouch, A. C. S., have, through- 
 out the campaign, discharged their duties with fidelity and promptness. 
 
 The brigade entered the action with one hundred and twenty officers, 
 and lost in killed and wounded thirty-three ; with twelve hundred en- 
 listed men, and lost in killed, wounded and missing three hundred and 
 ninety-six. It drove the enemy from two batteries which fell within 
 our lines, only six guns uf which, however, upon investigation, were 
 positively taken by officers of the command. About six hundred pris- 
 oners were likewise captured during the battle. It only ceased the 
 pursuit of the en^my at night and under orders. One hour more of 
 daylight had adiled largely to our captures. 
 
 1 have the honor to remain, yours, very respectfully, 
 
 II. L. GIBSON,- 
 Colonel cominanding. 
 
223 
 
 JiErORT of the Effective Strength of the uvrrcl Regiments composing 
 Adams' Brigade, carried intu tfit Battle of Chickamauga, on each day of 
 the Battle : 
 
 
 Kamk of Cdiiman-dkr. 
 
 19th Octobbb. 
 
 20tb Octo 
 
 nsR. 
 
 COMMAXD. 
 
 
 lif. 
 
 := .| 1 
 
 t5 1 H 
 
 o 
 
 11 
 
 "si 
 e5 
 
 1-ith ami 2nih L«. reg't 
 
 Col Lron Von Zinken... 
 
 1 1 
 
 81 
 26 
 33 
 9 
 18 
 
 25.J 
 89.t 
 317 
 'JO 
 127 
 107 
 
 28't 
 
 Col. P. Goher 
 
 
 i....:. 
 
 319 
 
 U'tb La. regiment.- 
 
 Lt. Col. R. W. Turner.. 
 Maji«r T. E. Austin. 
 
 
 
 
 350 
 
 99 
 
 
 Major T. C. Kimball.... 
 
 
 
 14.') 
 
 Slocnmb's battery.- 
 
 Captain C. H. Slooomb.. 
 
 6 
 
 120! 126 
 
 112 
 
 
 G 
 
 120. 126 
 
 1?fi 
 
 1,189 
 
 l.aii 
 
 
 
 
 Tilt infitntr; of this brigade wag not engaged in the battle of October 19th. 
 
 Respectfully Bubmitted, 
 
 B. L. GIBSON, 
 
 Colonel commanding. 
 
REPORT OF COLONEL J. II. KELLY, COMMANDING 
 BRIGADE, 
 
 Headquarters TiiiRn BRicAnE, Preston's Divtsrox, ) 
 In the Field fronting Chattanooga, Sept. 25, 1863. J 
 
 Cvf TAi.N : I have the honor to submit tho following as a report of 
 the o{)erations of the brigade under my command in the battle of the 
 19th and 2ltth instants : 
 
 Tho night of the IHth instant I bivou!vcked, with three regiments of 
 tho brigade, (the sixty-tliird Virginia, Major French coininanding, 
 h.aving been detached the day before ns a guard to tlie division ord- 
 nance train,) on the right bank of the Chickamauga. At daylight, oa 
 the morning of the 19th, I was ordered to cross the Chickamauga at 
 Dalton's ford, and at about eight o'clock I formed line of battle in a 
 corn- field, on the left of Brown's brigade, Stewart's division, and 
 three hundred yards in rear of Gracie's brigade, the fifty-eighth North 
 Carolina, Colonel J. B. Palmer commanding, forming the right; the 
 fifth Kentucky, Colonel II. Hawkins commanding, the left,^nd the 
 sixty-fifih Georgia, Colonel Moore commanding, the centre of my 
 line. ' Here the brigade was subjected to a brisk cannonade from ihe 
 enemy's batteries. At about eleven o'clock I was onlered to move by 
 the right flank about four hundred yards, when I again formed line of 
 battle, and remained in position during the remainder of the night and 
 day, being occasionally shelled. At this point the sixty-third Vir- 
 ginia, less two companies detached as guard for division ordnance 
 train, reported to the command -ai about three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 At about seven o'clock, on the morning of the 2()th instant, the 
 brigade was moved by the left, (link about three hundred yards and 
 posted on an eminence, as a support to three batteries of Major Ley- 
 den's battalion of artillery. From this position I threw out four com- 
 panies of skirmishers, in charge of Lieutenant Colonel Edmund 
 Kirby, fifty-eighth North Carolina. He moved to the front .ind left, 
 and reported the enemy moving to the right. At one o'clock I was 
 ordered to leave the sixty-fifch Georgia as a support to the above- 
 named batteries, and move by the right flank and form line of battle 
 five Ijundred yards in rear of (iracie's brigade and conform to ita 
 movements. While the line of battle was in process of formation, I 
 discovered ^hat (iracie's brigade was moving by the right flank on the 
 Chattanooga road. I therefore moved by tho right ftatik five hundred 
 yards to the right of that road and parallel with it. After marching 
 in this direction about one and a half miles, I was halted and ordered 
 to form line of battle to resist an attack from the front or tho left 
 flank. This disposition was made, and I remained in position until 
 about half-past three o'clock, P. M. — the enemy meanwhile actively 
 shelling me. At this time I was ordered to move by the left flank, 
 and, having marched three-fourths Of a mile, I was ordered to form on 
 the left of Gracie's brigade. While this was being executed I was 
 
S2.'. 
 
 ordered to make an oblique change of direction to the right and to 
 advance. I had advanced but a short distance when F was subjected 
 to the enemy's fire. The enemy was posted on a heavily wooded 
 ridge, fiom which he had several times repulsed other troops of our 
 array. The approach to him was orer a succession of hills, with 
 intervening depressions, each hill to the front being somewhat more 
 elevated. The brigade, under fire of the enemy, moved steadily to 
 the front three or foxxf hundred yards, holding its fire until within 
 very short range of the enemy, the right being not more than fifteen 
 or twenty, the centre about forty, and the left abouf sixty yards dis- 
 tant when our first fire was delivered. After a desperately contested 
 fight of half an hour I succeeded in gaining the hill, from which the 
 enemy made three unsuccessful attempts to dislodge me by assault. 
 However, owing to the conformation of the ground, the fifty-eighth 
 North C .rolina was exposed to a galling fire from the front and both 
 flunk.?, an i, after losing about half its numbers, was compelled to fall 
 back to a position of greater security. Just before this falling back 
 Lieutenant Colonel Edmund Kirby, gallantly cheering his men, fell, 
 pierced by four bullets — Major Dula having been wounded early in 
 the engagement. At this juncture I was indebted to Brigadier Gen- 
 eral Anderson for a reinforcement of one regiment from his command. 
 Colonel Palmer, the only field officer with the regiment, was here 
 wounded, but still continued in command. After exchanging fires 
 with the enemy for about an hour and a half, 1 determined to attempt 
 todislod;:ed him by assault, and for this purpose transferred the fifty- 
 eighth North Carolina from the right to the left of my line and moved 
 forward, swinging somewhat to the right. When I arrived at the 
 base of the hill the enemy was heard to cry, "We surrender, we sur- 
 render " I immediately stepped to the front, my horse having been 
 previously killed, and called upon the officer who seemid to be in 
 command and demanded that if he proposed to surrender he should 
 lay down his arms. lie came to the front and said, "Wait a minute." 
 I replied, " No, sir ; lay down your arms instantly, or I will fire 
 upon you," and turned to my command, but before I could give the 
 command " ready," he poured upon it a terrific fire, which, on account 
 of its suddenness, threw the brigade for the instant into confusion, 
 but It rallied and was reformed within thirty yards of this position, 
 I am confident that the enemy intended to surrender, and that his fire 
 was drawn by an unauthorized shot from his ranks. Fjnding that mj 
 •mmunition was almost exhausted, I sent to the rear for reinforce- 
 ments or a supply of ammunition. At (his juncture I met Colonel 
 Trigg, commanding brigade, and informed him of the position of the 
 enemy, asking him, at the same time, to co-operate with me in his 
 capture. He agreed, and formed his line on my left, with the inten- 
 tion of swinging the whole force to the right. Just as the movement 
 was begun, I was notified by one of his staff that the Brigadier Gen- 
 eral commanding division wished to see me, and I repaired at once to 
 where he was stationed in the field. During this temporary abience 
 the enemy surrendered to Colonel Trij^ Immediately after the 
 surrender a force, supposed t« be of the enemy, opened a heavy fire, 
 15 
 
;i26 
 
 ■which created conjidcrable confusion, in which a large number of the 
 encmv were inakirig off Colonel II. Hawkins, of the fifth Kimtucky, 
 here cipturcil two hundred and fortwnine prisoncr.s. includiiii; two 
 colonel.-*, one lieutenant colonel ami a number of coinpunv officers. 
 About I'.iis tiniy I rejoined the coium.ind. and turned over to Lieu- 
 tenant Colonel Wade, of tlio fifty-fourth Vir;xitiia, to be taken to the 
 rear, my pri.sonors, except the threp field oineerp. who were sent to 
 division headquarters in charge of one of ray staiT. The nij^ht being 
 far advanced. I made arrangetuents to replenish my hupply of ammu- 
 nition, and wcnt'jnto bivouac ou the hill which the brigade had so gal- 
 lantly won 
 
 It would not be proper for me to close this report without tendering 
 my tliauks to the members of luy staff and the othcers commanding the 
 regimcatb for valuable assistance rendered in handling the troops, 
 and be:iring testimony to the gallant conduct of the officers and men 
 composing the cotnraand. It was the first time that most of them had ever 
 been under fire, yet they acted with the coolness and courage of veterans. 
 Fighting against a superior force, posted in an apparently impregna- 
 ble position, they moved steadily forwaril, beat and captured the 
 encmv, and slept in his strong place. When all did their duty eg 
 well, it seems almost invidious to make particular mention of any one, 
 yet I must be allowed to speak of the gallant conduct of Lieutenant 
 Colonel E. Kirby, fiftj'-eighth North Carolina; Captain C. 11. Lynch, 
 sixty-third Virginia; Lieutenant Colonel G. W. Conner, Major Wil- 
 liam Mynhier and Adjutant Thomas II. B. Cork, fifth Kentucky, and 
 especially Captain J. Desha, fifth Kentucky, who, although painfully 
 and severely wounded early in the action, remained at the head of his 
 company uiitil the enemy was defeated. 
 
 I took into the tight an aggregate of eight hundred and fifty-two, 
 and lost, in-killed and wounded, three hundred and three, and twenty- 
 six'in missing. 
 
 I have the honor to be, 
 
 • Very respectfully, your obedient servant, . 
 
 J. II. KELLY, . 
 Colonel commanding brigade. 
 
REPORT OF COLONEL R. 0. TRIGG, COMMANDING 
 BRIGADE. • 
 
 Hf.adqi'artf.ks Trii.g's Brigade, > 
 Srptemhrr 26, 1863. J 
 
 Captain J. L. Sandfosd, 
 
 Assiitnni uidjutant Genpral : 
 
 Captain : I have the honor to submit the following report of the part 
 borne bv my brigade in the battles of the Ohickaraaugn, on the 19lh 
 and 2itth instant- : 
 
 Bv order of Brigndier (lOneral Prepton. coniaianding division, I 
 crossed the Chickamauga, at early dtwn, the morning of the 19th, 
 and formed lino of brittle near Hart's house, on t!ie prolongation of 
 Brigadier General Bate'o line. Whilst occupying this position the 
 enemy threw shot and shell into my lines from a battery on the right. 
 The Fixth regiment Florida volunteers (Colonel Findley) lost one 
 lieutenant, one sergeant and one private killed, and two privates 
 wounded. I promptly moved the brigade forward bo as to get the 
 cover aflTurded by the opposite hills. 
 
 About twelve o'clock. M., by direction of Brigadier General Pres- 
 ton, I moved my bri<;ade by the right flank and reformed on the crest 
 of a ridge abont half i mile north of Hunt's lionse. A? soon as the 
 line was formed. I dcployod the first rcinment Florida cavalry, (dis- 
 mounted,) Coloricd M:ixwell. as Bkirmisiier.-', three hundred yanls ia 
 advance, and covering the entire front of the brigade. This regiment 
 soon became engaged with the enemy's infAUiry in a cr>rn-field and 
 the woods to the right of the field. It knpt up (juite ahrisk fire f)r more 
 than two hours, when the right was driven in by a de-triictive fire of 
 gr«pe nnd canister from a bjittery in the fi.jld At this time I was ordsred 
 to rtinforce General Hood and move in the direction of the firing. The 
 firin;: was on my right. I moved by the right flank until mpt by a staff 
 officer, who came t-i conduri me to the point where Gen. Hood needed 
 support — the position held by General Benning's brigade. At bis 
 instance I moved by the front. Soon after I was met by another 
 staff officer, who claimed my support for General Robertson's brigade. 
 I continued my mf^vement by the front until I came near a corn-field, 
 in which the enemy had a battery, protected by earthworks, near the 
 Chattanooga road, and supported by a long line of infantry drawn 
 up in the field, and in rifle-pits and woods on the right and left of the 
 battery. The enemy was advancing when I first diccovered hitn, and 
 had passed about one-third the length of the field. T^ tro-ps thut 
 had won the wooded rijide outside oi the fieM, and on my rigiit, were 
 falling back in some confusion. The advance of the enemy and the 
 falliiij: ('a^k of our troops sermed to effect some chiicge in the ininJ 
 of till- ■-III r conducting rne. He rrquer-led me to halt ULt.l he couM 
 learn precisely what position I was to take. While thus halted and 
 
SS8 
 
 under the enamj's fire, General Robertson appeared and hurriedly 
 informing me that his line was very much weakened and woulil be 
 beaten back unless quickly reinforced, indicated the direction in 
 which I ehfluld move. I obliqued to the right until I supposed that 
 my right W9 opposite to his left. This brought the front of my 
 brigade to the corn-field fence. All this while I hiid been uisdor a 
 most destructive fire of the enemy's artillery, and, at this time, he 
 concentrated upon me the fire of his whole force in the corn-fiold 
 and in the timber around it. I had not, as yet, fired a single gun. 
 I reserved my fire until I reached the fence. At the first volley the 
 enemy broke in confusion to the left and rear. Seeing his confusion, 
 I ordered my brigade to charge before he could rally. The sixth' 
 Florida regiment gallantly responded, leaping the fence and dashing 
 forward to the crest of the ridge, forcing the enemy's broken line to 
 ■eek the nearest cover on the right, left and in rear. This regiment 
 regained the ridge, which I am informed was won and lost more than 
 once during the day, cleared the corn-field cf all the infantry, drove 
 nearly all the gunners from the battery and would have certainly 
 captured it but for a lamentable interference with my command. 
 
 When the order to charge was given, i was on the right with this 
 regiment. The order was not promptly conveyed to the other regi- 
 ments of the brigade, and they failing to conform to the movements 
 of the siith Florida, it got from one hundred and fifty to two hundred 
 yards in advance. Having gained the crest of the ridge, I discovered, 
 for the first time, that the other regiments of the brigade were not up 
 ■with the sixth Florida, . I immediately started to bring them up, but 
 had gone but a short distance, when I perceived them crossing the 
 fence and moving forward in good order. I returned to direct the 
 movements of the sixth Florida. When these regiments had reached 
 the second fence, I discovered that they were being moved by Briga- 
 dier General Robertson across the field by the right flank and in roar 
 of the sixth. Finding that this regiment would not receive support 
 from the rest of my brigade, and it being exposed to a terrible fire 
 from tho front and left, (the enemy having in part recovered 
 from hispauic,) I withdrew it below the crest of tho ridge, and 
 unwillingly relinquished the capture of the battery, which a few 
 minutes before I had regarded as almost accomplished. For such 
 was the disposition of my brigade that when the charge was ordered, 
 two regiments and half of another on my left overlapped tho enemy's 
 battery and supports, and, when withdrawn from the field, they were 
 moving rapidly to turn his right flank. Night put an end to the 
 conflict. 
 
 On the morning of the 20th, I formed my brigade four hundred 
 yards in the rear of Manigault's brigade, Hindman's division, and was 
 ordered to support him and conform to his movements. About twelve 
 o'clock, M., Uoneral Manigault moved forward in the direction of 
 the Chattanooga road. I followed. When in four hundred yards of 
 the road, I came up with his artillery, which had halted, and met a 
 good many stragglers from his brigade. I rode forward to the road 
 and fouad eome confuBion in tho brigade. I informed an officer of 
 
General Manigault's staff that I was there to support him and ready 
 to ren'lcr the Fupport at nnjj^^imrnt. 
 
 About this time I IfiaiiiPiWrom an officer of General Hinflinau's 
 staff, that the left of Uin(iiiian'p >livisinn was ihriMtened and would 
 be turnel unles.-* quickly j^urpoited, (tl,fl left of ihat division having 
 been supported up to that time by Manigault'H brignde.) 1 moved 
 my brigade to the Chattanooga road in double-quick time, pissing 
 General Manigault's brigade and taking the front. Tlio position of 
 the enemy being indicated to me, I disposed of the troops of my 
 command with a view to offensive movements, and ordered the bat- 
 tery assigned me (Captain Pecples, ninth Geor^jia battalion) to take 
 position and open fire upon the enemy. Tlie enemy failing to 
 respond, after several rounds, and it being evident that he had with- 
 drawn from that part of the fitld, I ordered the firing to co^ise and 
 proposed to advance, when I received orders from General Buckner 
 to move down the Chattanooga road and support Williams' battalion 
 of artillery. 
 
 Having remained in support of this artillery until half-past two 
 o'clock, P. M., I was ordered by General liuckncr to move back on 
 the Chattanooga road, with two of my repiincntB and one pipce oT 
 artillery, and select a fivorable position to resist the enemy's cavalry, 
 which, it was understood, had passed to our rear and was moving on 
 that road. Whilst engaged in the discharge of this duty, with the 
 first Florida (dismounted) cavalry and seventh regiment Florida vol- 
 unteers (Colonel Bullock; and one piece of artillery, an order from 
 General Buckner directed me to withdraw one regiment and rejoin 
 the division. 1 withdrew the seventh Florida, but had hardly put it 
 in motion when I received from General Preston a pressing order to 
 move rapidly to the support of the other brigades of his division, 
 (Gracie's and Krlly's ) 
 
 The cavalry whose movements I had been sent to oppose having 
 proved to be our own, I took the responsibility of ordering the other 
 regiment and the piece of artillery to follow, and communicated the 
 facts to General Buckner as I passed along. The sixth Florida and 
 fifty-fourth Virginia regiments had been already put in motion by 
 Colonel Findley, senior col"nel. The battle was raging furiously 
 when I arrived with the serenth Florida regiment, which I formed on 
 the left of the fifty-fourth Virginia, which, with the sixth Florida 
 regiment, was already formed en the left of Kelly's brigade [The 
 first Florida (dismounted) regiment, on the way to join the brigade, 
 was detached by order of General Preston and sent to the support of 
 General Gracie's brigade ] Without wavering or faltering, these two 
 brigades — marching over some of our own troops, who were lying 
 down — drove the enemy steadily before them, until his ri^ht wai 
 forced from its strong position, on rough, brokrn ground, heyily 
 timbered. Driven from this position, he fell back upon a s^fond lino 
 of ridges, running p»rpendicalar to the Chattanoogij ro»d, whioh wai 
 already held by a strong force and protected by breastwf.rk*. When 
 near the base of this ridge, I learned from Colonel Kelly the precise 
 locality of the enetny, and immediately determined, with him, to 
 
• 
 
 attempt tho cnpture of tlist p«rt of his fori^e in my front, tuj pi^ition 
 luinfT particularly fivoniblc fjr the nt^^^nt^n! I'f this eml. I imine- 
 ilitttely wliL-cleii my brig:i'li3 to the risht^hich brought me in rear of 
 the enemy, and moved rapidly up the hill to within twenty paces of 
 bis lines. This movement surprised him and resulted in the capture 
 of the twenty-second Michigan, the eighty-ninth Ohio, and part of 
 the twenty-first Ohio regiments, five stands of cr)lor.«, and ovor one 
 thousand five hundred small arms, of the latest and most approved' 
 pattern. 
 
 Darkness having fallen, and the enemy having withdrawn from his 
 position on my left, no further movement was attempted. 
 
 Before beginning the movement last alluded to, I requested two 
 bri<^;i<:es, which were in my rear, to form on my left anil co- operate 
 with me. The}' declined, for tho want of ammunition. It is greatly 
 to be legretted that they were not in a condition to give mo assist- 
 ance. Had thev formcil on my left, our line would have cxrended 
 nearly, if not quite, to the Chattanooga roail, ami. being in rear of 
 the enemy, all his forces occupying the ridge would have been com- 
 pletely cut off. 
 
 'Where every officer and man did his whole duty, special mention 
 cannot be made. 
 ' The fortune of war threw the sixth F'lorida regiment into the post 
 of danger, and upon them fell the heaviest loss, and proved them 
 " veterans in their first fight." Their commanding officer is proud to 
 render to them this just tribute of praise, and he i.>< also proud to 
 express his conviction that each other regiment of his brigade is 
 worthv of, and, had ciicumstancea allowed, would have won equal 
 commendation. . It is simple justice to my command to say thit it 
 beat the enemy everywhcro it found him, and carried every position 
 which it ass:iulted. 
 
 1 tnke plrii.sure in mentioning the following named soldiers, who 
 have distinguished tlieraselves by the capture, each, of a stuml of the 
 enemy's color.s : 
 
 tf-'igeant L. E. Tiraraons, company I, seventh regiment Florida 
 vi^luufecrs, captured the regimental flag of the twenty first Ohio 
 regiment. 
 
 Private Oscar F. Ilonnkcr, company F, fifty-fourth Virginia regi- 
 ment, captured the legimontal flag of the twenty-second .Michigan 
 re^iiuieiit. 
 
 Private W. F. Harris, company F, fifty-fourth Virginia regiment, 
 captured the State fl-ig of the twenty-second Michigan regiment. 
 
 I'rivate Henderson Hyiton, company A, fifty-fonrth Virginia regi- 
 ment, captured the regimental flag of the eighty-ninth Ohio regiment. 
 
 Privat-j Franklin Carter, company K, fifty-founh Virginia regi- 
 ment, captured the State flag of the twenty-first Ohio regiment. 
 
 In this connection, I deem it proper to state that private J. It. M. 
 Mosciey, Captain ILiys' company, sixth regiment Florida volunteers, 
 captured a stand of colors, and, while guarding prisoners to the rear, 
 ho passed a small party of men, who claimed them. Being unable to 
 distinguiBh these men in the dark, and supposing them to be a squad 
 
i 
 
 i 
 
:.n 
 
 dctailfJ liy uie to receive tko captured colors, he gave them up. 
 Thpse colors have not been heard of since. I have no doubt of the 
 truili of private Moseley's efatcuit'iit. It 'n corroborated by other 
 evid'jiici'. These colors were duubtlesn- turned over to inca of another 
 ccnimaiid. iuid Bent in to iieiidtjuarters as cupliired by them. 
 
 Append. -d ia a statement of the killed, wounded and rai-^aing oC luy 
 brigade. 
 
 1 am. Captain, very respectfully, your obndient seiv.int. 
 
 ROBKRT C. TRIGG. 
 
 Colvnel viiminanding Brigade, Pfeslons Divinion, Buckntr's Corjis. 
 
REPORT OF CAPTAIN CHARLES SWETT, ACTING CHIEF 
 OF ARTILLERY. 
 
 Artii.i.frt Enx«mp.mcnt, Liddf.ll's Bmn.vDK, > 
 • October 7th, ISo;J. \ 
 
 Cnptnin S. A. Williams, 
 
 Asshtunt Adjutant General. 
 
 Cattain : I hnve the honor to to cnfike the tbllowing report of the 
 action of the artillery of I-iililell's division in the battle of Cliicka- 
 maugji on the 19th and 2Uth of September, and also in the aflfair of the 
 18th ultiiiio : » 
 
 On the morning of the 17th Septcmbor, ordere wcro'received to bo 
 in readiness for an eisfly movement, and, at three P. M., Liddell's 
 diviaicn left Lafayette and moved toward the enemy in the direction 
 of Chattanooga. 
 
 At nine o'clock, on the moiniDg of the IStli. the command reached 
 a point on Cbickamauga creek, noar Ah'xander's bridge ; but finding 
 it in pisseBsion of tho enemy, lino of i)attlc was formed, and an 
 advance made, in order to dislodge them. -Tho enemy had but one 
 batteiv which was posted near a house on the opposite bank of the 
 creek, ^ind which fired upon our skirmisliora, a few shots passing over 
 the line. Fowler's battery was moved to the front and placed in posi- 
 tion near the road, and on the e<lgo of a cultivated field, from which 
 place a section of his guns wefe ordered Eoino three hundred yards 
 further to the front by General Liddell, but do not think he fired from 
 the place designated. The battery under command of Lieutenant 
 Shannon was ordered-to the right of Walthall's brigade, to a position 
 commanding the one occupied by the Federal battery. After firing a 
 few rounds the enemy disappeared, as our fire was not returned, nor 
 were they again seen at this place. Tho fire of our battery was 
 ordered to cease, and the command moved forward, crossing the Cbick- 
 amauga at Byron's ford, and camping for the night one mile from 
 that stream. 
 
 On the morning of the 19th, the command moved at an early hour 
 and formed line of battle a mile distant from* our camp of the pre- 
 vious night, and advanced to the support of Ector's brigade, which 
 •was then engaging the enemy. The Washington light artillery fol- 
 lowed Liddell's brigade, and a portion of Fowler's battery following 
 Walthall's, though neither battery could be brought into action, in 
 consequence of the rapid ailvance of the command and of tho char- 
 acter of the ground over which we were moving. At this place a 
 flank movement of the enemy caused the division to fall back, though 
 Lieutenant Shannon succeeded in firing a few rounds on retiring, in 
 order to check the enemy ; but Fowler's battery could not be brought 
 into action, (though it was twice halted by myself for that purpose,) 
 as the enemy would have surrounded and captured the guns had they 
 been unlimbered. From this position the division moved to the right 
 near a mile distant, and formed line perpendicular to the formation of 
 
233 
 
 the morning. From this point the confjmin'l advanced with the Wash- 
 ington light artillery, on the right of Liddeli'g hrigijile. it heing the in- 
 tention to hjve Fowler's battcrj follow on the loft of W.ilthall. As the 
 division more 1, a Pnrrott batterj opened upon oar line, but a few 
 ■well-dircctod shots from Fowler's battery either caused it to change 
 position or to retire, as it did notagiin opoji. The division advanced 
 but a few hun Ired yards, when it retired to the base of an inclination 
 that it had nearly gained th'- summit of, which movement was, in 
 » measure, owing to a battery firing over otir lino from the 
 rea', and which was connected wirh F irre^t's commiii 1 R?rore the 
 division re'ired, I movel to the front and left,, to sceiire a josition 
 for Fowler's (jittery*, and, while gme, Cijjtiin F. permitted one of 
 his lieutenants to luove with the brigade to whi'jh he is attached, with, 
 the section under his command which re'^ulted in the loss of one Napo- 
 leon gun and fourteen horses,' though the gun was subsequently re- 
 taken. The Washington light arti11*!ry wis taken at dusk to a position 
 in rear and to the ri::ht ol Cleburne's division, where fir about half 
 an hour we shelled the enemy's rear. A caisson and three limbers 
 were taken from the field on the return of the bittcry to our line, 
 and a James rifle gun »nd limner was hauled to the company by hand 
 and turned over to Lieut-enant Shinnon, by members of the bri- 
 gade. The division remiined in this position till the following 
 mirning. when it was moved by the left flink about one milo, and 
 afterwards two miles to the right, to a position in rear and to the right 
 Geo. of Breckinridge, who was then eigiging the enemy. The divis- 
 ion remained here till ten. A M , when il was ordered forward to 
 the support of General Breckinridge. On reaching tin roir of Gen- 
 eral Breckinridge's command, it was found to be filling ba^k, though 
 repeatedly rallied and renewed the contest. The artillery w;is ordered 
 into position in reir of the line, on the left of the roal, and fronting 
 "the west, which position we were ordered to defend ; but did not find 
 it nccc'<«ary tr> fire. Fowler's battery wis here moved forward and 
 an effort rjndc to gain a position on the right of our line, which could 
 not be done in cons 'q'ten^'c of the inf.in'ry con'inually giving way. 
 We remiined here till half-past fo.:r, P. M , when we moved against 
 the enemy, the artillery fallowing by the road, and aocending a hill 
 and taking position in an orchird n^^r MM))mir« h">use, an! on the 
 right 'if the divi«iiin, we succeeded in ffi'ttin^ seven guns ih posi- 
 tion and e-igigei a I'.irrott better}' of tlif.' orje ny, di't^int abo'it eight 
 hundrnl yardt, bat had no w>oncr opened than wo were fired upon bj 
 a m4>kel but'.ry. two hundred yard* from our right flink,aiid by one 
 one ihouiand jards from md -ouihwest ff us, and by another on the 
 left flank of Liddcll s hrigail'-. The effect of our fire was very 
 dentructive to the memv, but we were forced to leave ' 1, as 
 
 the advance of a line of the enemy at a <i(,uble-fjiiick mk 
 
 of Lid hlPs brigade, together with,the anilK-ry fire i;. . , *si- 
 
 tioD untenable. The order w*s civr-n to the aniilery r -t to retire till 
 the Uot mim-nt, nor until the infantry had fallen Si-k The nrlil- 
 kry reached the ba**" of the hill, when, being flunked by the Federals 
 sod a horM shot down in a gan of both Fowler's battery and the 
 
234 
 
 Washington light artillery company, Lieutenant Shannon called 
 upon Captain Fletcher, of the thirteenth Arkansas, who rallieJ a few 
 men and secured both pieces, which were soon afterwards taken to the 
 rear. • 
 
 On the morning of the 2 1 st, a gun was ordered by "Gen. Liddell to the 
 position occupied by us on the previous evening, and soon afterwards 
 both Fowler's battery and the VVashington light artillery were ordered 
 to the same place. It soon being discovered we had no enemy in our 
 front, the command moved on the Lafayette and Chattanooga road in 
 the direction of the latter place. A report of the casualties in the 
 artillery of the division has been forwarded. 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 CHARLES SWETT, 
 Captain and Acting C/def of Artillery, LiddtWs Division. 
 
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