Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-10-15
lHE REPUBLICAN.
Army Correspondence.
THoxrsoN's FoRD. on Tenn. River,

September %. 1863.
EDrToR REPuBLIcAs:-Since my last the
Army Of the Cumberland has again met
the zoe. and though the historian cannot.
thank heaven and Gen. Rosecrans. our en-
emies can find but little cause Of congratu-
lation over our defeat. The enemy had
been largely reinforced by troops from
Georgia and North Carolina. together with
two entire corps. Ewell's and Longstreet's,
from Virginia. to such formidable proper
tions. as forbid any hope Of victory on our
part. and by rapid advs nee they forced
Gen. Rosecrans to give them battle
They attacked MS with the confident ex-
pectation of not only defeating. but ami
hilating this army. Need | say they their
expectation was failure. They expected
to overwhelm us as with an avalanche,
they found it was the rush Of an avalanche
against mountain; for though outnum-
bered we were not defeated; though we
retired from the field we were not beaten;
for the firm columns still faced the foe,
and as they fell back. step by step. the
steady rattle of the musket and heavier
booms of the cannon admonished them to
be cautious in their pursuit. for though re-
firing from the field. the Lions Of the
West were yet ready to fight them. as ma
nv a savage rush upon their columns sore
ly admonished them.
But You can hardly expect a common SOL
der 20 describe the thrilling battle scenes
that bring the realities up before us. Tied
TO his place in the ranks he can only an
swer for the doings of his own regiment
or brigade. La
Tie part taken by Wilder's Lightning
Brigade is one of which we are all proud.
and Will, l think. stand muster with that
Of any other brigade in the field. On
September 18th. we occupied position on
the extreme left of the army. guarding a
ford over Chickamauga creek. about one
mile and half from the left OF GeneIal
Woods Division. (the extreme left of the
infantry Of the army) Minty, with one
brigade of cavalry. held the next ford a.
bout one mile below US. In this position
we were assaulted by Longstreet's corps a
bout 10 o'clock in the morning. but by
dint Of hard fighting we succeeded in keep
ing them Of bay. Hundreds OF the enemy
We're killed in their insane sttempt to force
a crossing. Our Spencer rifles with the
aid of hastily built breast works. was too
muck for them, and leaving a small force
to amuse us. they swept down on Minty
attacking him with great fury. forcing a
crossing and occupying our left with an
entire Division. As consequence we i'm
mediately mounted and made our escape to
our infantry. This movement compelled
change of lines on our part. and to MS
was assigned the task of holding the right.
The battle opened early By an attack on
our left. now held by Gen. Thomas. The
musketry was one continuous roll. sharp
and heavy. To distinguish one volley
from another was impossible. while the
deep thunder of the cannonade made old
earth tremble. About II o'clock, the bri.
gade in our front was suddenly and fierce
ly assailed by Longstreet and driven back
in confusion upon ours; but aid was a,
hand, and the Divisions OF Sheridan and
jeff G. Davis were brought up to stem the
rebel torrent, but in vain, for in spite o
all their valor snd bravery. they were driv.
en- in confusion beyond US. leaving oul
brigade alone to sustain the shock. Lilly
double shotted bis guns. and when the
rebel columns emerged into the open field
in our front, such torrent of canister and
rifle shot as burst upon them. no human
flesh and blood could stand. and they re.
treated to the cover of the woods to renew
the attempt no more. The firing lasted
until long into the night. but at last eli
lence settled over the battle field-sil ence
broken only by the cries Of the wounded
or the rumbling of the artillery wheels.
telling us that though the battle had ceas.
ed for q time. the deep game of war was
not yet played out. We had held our
lines this day without beiiIg driven from
any Of our positions. but new movements
of the enemy making q change of lines
necessary we fell back at daylight to our
new positions on the hills ofChsttanooga.
we still held the extreme right of the
army. - wg-
The battle opened this day by furious
attack on our left. which gradually extend
ed until the center and right were both en-
gsged. We had laid quietly behind our
rude works of logs until about IL o'clock.
listening 70 the sounds of the battle and
endsaving to form some idea of its reeults
when we received orders to move to the
left and charge . rebel column moving to
attack the center. Over the fields ct dou-
BILE quick We dashed. and with rush and