Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23

| McNAIH's BRIGADE AT eCHIcR RAMAUGA "A
hond of heroes constitute McNair's brigade. Ii
| 4 comnosed Of the 1st, ID aud 4th Arkansas
d;smonnted cavalry, and thes 2lst and 2lst
Arkansas infantry, the 4th arkansas battalion,
and the 3eth North Carolina, Col Coleman
throughout the command the North Carolini-
ans are better known as star heels" perhaps
| from their tenaclty oi courage ana PVT iFoSe -
the sequel shows.
IN saturday the first day of the battle Of
Cbckomauca. at noon this brigade WAS ordered
10 support General Gregg's command, then
sorclv nressei on the left OF Hoods division.
Gregg was holding his position with great diff j
culty against tremendous odds. When ordered
TO advance, McNair's brigade rushed over
Gregg's column. the 39.h North Carolina and
tie 25ih Arkansas being led by Col. Coleman.
The Yankees gave way, but in good order, and
were driven not less than three fourths Of a
mile. Gen. Gregg pronounced this charge one
OF the most brilliant achievem ments Of the day.
4 Yankee RI einent which encountered the
goth North Carolina and 18th Arkansas was
almost annihilated. These two regiments
halted once TO await support, but not receiving
il. they advanced through the woods into the
open corn fields, where their own weakness and
the strength of the Federal lines became ap-
parent Coeman's command having exhausted
their ammunition, withdrew TO GTegg's line Of
battle and encamped for tie night.
In tie great battle Of Sunday, McNair's bri-
gadc were On the left next 70 Hoois division.
At half-past nine they were lying behind Al
imperfect breastwork Of fallen trees.
A strong column Of the enemy advanced
uron them. They were received with a destruc-
tive fire, and falling back were charged By
McNair.s brigade, and driven in confusion
over two lines VI breastwork- into the open
fields. On an emineuce, two Yankee batteries
commanded the whole OF the open space. just
before his men entered this broad field Gen.
McNair was wounded The gallant Colonel
Harptr Of the lst Arkansas, was killed, and
the command Of the brigade devolyei upon Col.
Coleman. The brigade now diverged 70 the
right. aud, under the leadership Of the gallant
North Caro'inian, captured both the batteries
Eight Of the pieces were at once taken to the
rear ana two others afterwards removed.
Gen Bragg gave Col. Coleman an order for
three Of these guns TO attach to his command.
Thee batteries were supported by very
strong Fedzra force, but McNair's brigade
charged 50 rapidly, loading ard firing they
went, that tue Yankees were surprised and
routed. The assault j. said to have been fer0-
c;ous, and the victory complete.
The Federal artiilerists fought infinitely bet
ter than their infantry supporters, actually
throwing shot and shell with their hands iutt
the faces OF our men when they could no longc
load their pieces. The two batteries capture
were about two hundred yards apart, an.
when the guns were captured. our men wer,
compelled 10 move of with the utmost rap-Jity
Col. Coleman was the first to place his hanl
on Federal field piece, and the banner or tie
3gth North Carolina wGs the first unfurled
above them, cheer after cheer announcing ii,
triumph OF our gallant men; anu then came tht
hurried withdrawal Of the guns from their
position in the Federal lines
Lieut.-Col Reynolds and Adiu;ant J. d. Har.
din, were just behind Col. Coleman When h-
reached the Federal guns. Hardin was .hJi
through the neck IN the afternoon. When thc
brigade again tell back ~ our lines, and had
obtained supplies aud ammunition, it was aEnir
ordered forward to q height ON the left To sup
port Al inspn's battery OH the Lookout Valley
I Road. With John-ons brigade and liindm AM 4
division on the right, and Mauigault's on tlt
/ left, Col. Coleman advanced TO the closing tgu
\ Of the day.
I BY successive clarg>s, the enemy were driver
\ slowly but steadily from The chain Of hill.
! which formed his position. and Ibc battle closed
I Two hoars more vi daylight, aud this portion .
| EoSecraus' army wOutd have bgen anniiilIatcl 7
I Capt. Culpepprr. belonging 10 this br gade
\ displayed great skill AID nc.UiSn. The lbs y
! thc brigade in killed and Wounded. was a1ul
10 per cent. TIE 5,tA North CaroliGa cnicrc,
She hight with - men, snd lost oger lJO. Il
| tue whole brigade there are left about SOJ mcl
I GOl- l1lciDal + tOAL NsAs p4tAtlu cy n faAi AA
he i unnurt. The gallant Capt NJ /. Moor
WAS killed. and Col. Hufl.tedlcr. of ihe 25tl
Arkansas, was pierced by hve balls lie still
| survives and may recover.
Wnen the history Of the battle OF Chcka
mauga is written il will De found that no bod.
Of troops on that bloody field fought NOR
| gallantly nor won more honor than McNair'
| brigade. And when the war has closed, tn
victory achieved ON the Stream of Death viii
be pronounced the most complete Of oly tha
has been won from the beginning Of the revUln
| ticn.-4hantd Register.