American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1863-10-10
THg Battle OF CHECKANAUGA.
i CONNECTED ACCOUNT.
-H711'1tI y ~ Sitl4aal R.Babttl1- ]
MA CHlTTASooo1. sEpr .. 1868

aNu WV Wy the Confederate arms. 4 ne result
- teld in 4 few words. There is no longer
sn armed enemy on the soil Of Georgia Only
the Federal dead, wounded and prisoners now
remain. The multitudinous host. swelling
with confidence and pride. who lately invaded
that powerful State. threatening 70 overrun
her territory snd devastste her homes. has
been defeated and forced to seek refuge behind
barbados and byeastworks along the banks
OF the Tennessee River. Let every heart in
all our suffering land give thanks TO Almighty
God for His great kindness--for this signal
deliveFauce
Having been detained on the route, ar
rived upon the field too late To witness the
battle. | am also almost wholly uniformed
of the organization OF the various corps. d.
visions aud brigades which compose the army
OF Tennessee. Under these circumstances. |
ana constrained to rely in great part upon the
statements of others who were in position
TO hs well informed, and do not pretend 10
speak with absolute certainty, or to enter
much into detail. Bu, there is one fact which
may be affirmed with great confidence aud
emphasis, to-wit that the Confederate troops
never fought better, nor did any other troops
upon any other battle field ever conduct them
selves with higher courage or more dstiu-
II r.
4 Braggs braves entered into generous rivalry.
and each strove to set al example of daring.
and to Guido the other The one rushed To
the conflict with their old battle flags, bearing
upon their ample folds the inscriptions of the
firt and second Manassas, ""Seyen Pines,
malvern Hill, Fredericksburg" and Chan
cellorsville, and fully resolved to wave those
glorious standards in triumph over western.
as they had already done over au eastern. foe.
The other, conscious of their own manhood.
and yielding to none in high resolve and
dauntless courage. yet stung by the memory
OF former disasters, went upon the field with
their minds and hearts fully made up, never
to quit it but as victors, nor until they had
proven to all the world that they were the
worthy brothers Of the heroes OF the Chieka-
hominy and the Rappahannock Beforemen
thus animated and thus resolved, many of
whom the Georgians) fought in view OF their
household gods nothing could stand and live.
Their fierce battle cries rung above the din
and uproar of the mighty strife. the trumpet
note IF victory to Confederate arms, aud the
kAell of defeat and death to the enemy. Great
clouds OF yellow dust and blue smoke from
the guns and burning woods enveloped the
struggling c0mbatants, and ascending from
the plains, settled upon the crests OF the hills
snd mountains in festoons OF fantastic shape.
but, deep ~ was the gloom, there were flash
ing eyes there that saw through it all aud
followed with steady gaze the path that led
to victory.
Nor We're Bragg and Longstreet insensble
to the terlng that animated their followers.
10 the one, 1T was the last opportunity to re-.
verse the DEGREES of a hitherto unproptions
F.N 49, IL, IL
hope and ambition, where another blow might
be struck tor his country. and fresh laur,l-
gathered for his own brow. Each did his
duty nobly, as did all their officers aud men.
and the reward of grateful country awaits
them Only portions Of two Of Longstrret's
division arrived in time to take part IN the
fight, but they were host in Themselves
They were Beunings. Laws and Robinson'>
brigades of Hoods division, aud ker,haw's
aud humphreys brigade, "i McLaws' But
let vs. proceed with he BATH.
It's already known 4hqt Gen, Bragg deemad
it prudent to Withdraw his forces from Chat
tauoogs and East Tennessee, ana to retire into
the State Of Georgia and there await reinforce
ments. The enemy'4 cavalry penetrated ~
Tar As Rnggold aud Tunnel Hill ON the West.
ern and Atlantic Railroad, our own cavalry
unfortunately, setting fire to the bridges a.
they retreated Several affairs between out
posts followed on Thursday and Friday, I1th
and 18TH inst. and an the 10Th a heavy Skin
mlsh ehNued, amounting almost, If no; quite
to n general battle IN which Hood and his
veterans displayed great spirit and resolution.
Gen. Bragg advanced upon the enemy driving
in his oalposls and akirmsh,rs, aud gaining
important advantages lie considered it best,
probably TO strike before Rusecraus could be
reinforced, and even before all of his own re-
Inducements could arrive. The Federal com
mander was evidently surprised by the vigor-
r GUS movements of Bragg, from whom he ex
pected ouly feeble resistance Even as late
as Sunday morning, when the Confederates
deployed on the west bank of the Ohickamau-
"a, he vas hardly prepared for serious at
tack from an army which he supposed would
be only too glad to effect its escape.
The great battle was fought on the west
e bank OF the Cbickamauga on Sunday, the
Goth day of September The line of battle ex.
tended east and west, across the boundary
line between Walker and Catoosa counties
s resting here and there Oh the bends in the
q Chlckanauga river, verO crooked stream,
running east and northeast, and emptying IN
to the Tennessee above Chattanooga. D. II.
+ Hill commanded on the right, Folk IN the cen
ire and Longstreet on the left The command
Of Longstreet was composed of such Of the
brigades of Hoods and McLaws' divisions as
= had come up, and Hindman $, Preston's, Stew
arts and Bushrod Johnson's divisions, of the
army Of Tennessee--the three last constitut-
ing the corps Of that intrepid officer, Major
4 General Buckner. These forces held the ex
IRENE left, and were opposed to the right wing
OF the enemy, which rested upon the noun
t tains aud occupied strong position. Hills
corps on the right was composed Of Breckn-
ridges and Cleburne's fine divisions. | am
not yet informed Of the composition Of Folks