The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-09-28
Especial to Tribune
Cincinnati, Sept. .

Cincinnati, Sept. %.
In the course of the day of the 18th
already unmistakable signs indicated the
enemy had discovered the weak points of
our position on the Chickamauga, and
were massing their forces in front of our
left centres left for the manifest purpose
of crushing those points of our lines or
getting between them and Chattanooga.
On the morning of the 18th FRIDAY
portion of the expected reinforcements,
constituting two brigades Of the reserve
corps, respectively commanded by Col.
McCook and Mitchell, made their appear
ance near Chattanooga, and were imme-
diately ordered to make reconnaissance
towards Ringgold and develope the in
tentions of the enemy from that quarter
Iu the evening they came npon the ad-
vance of Longstreet't corps, pushed it
back for some distance, and took a num-
Der of prisoners from it, and fully estab-
lished the anticipated concentration of
the enemy in front Of our left. All day
Friday cavalry covering our front Skin
mished with different bodies of the enc
my.
On Friday night the divisions of Bran
non and Baird, together with johnson 3
division of McCook's corps, moved from
the rear to the left of Crittenden's corps.
They were in their new positions at day
break. The two other divisions of Ne
Cooks corps, Davis and Sheridan s,
were to move into the position abandoned
by Thomas corps, but had not time to
assume it fully before the commenceme- n
of the action next morning. Early foret
noon passed away without forewarning of
the approaching conflict; but shortly be-
fore | | o'clock the storm that had been
brewing all the morning on the rebel side,
burst forth in an unexpected direction.-
AT that time long mass of rebel infant
ry was seen advancing upon Brannon's
division, on the extreme left. 1t first
came upon the I'd brigade, Col. Croxter
commanding, and soon forced itvback de-
spite its determined resistance. The two
other brigades of the division at once
came to its assistance and succeeded in
checking the progress of the rebels and
driving them back, but their column be-
ing in turn heavily reinforced, they ad-
vanced again with wild yels. So power
full was this assault that they pushed
Brannon back to behind his position in
line and thus uncovered the lett of Bay
ards division. Making prompt use of
their advantage, they changed their course
to the left and speedily enveloped Serb
ner's and Kings brlgades. The latter
were regulars. They were almost sur
rounded, but managed to disentangle
themselves, after fearful loss. The rebel
masses next came upon Johnson's divis-
ion and rallied it upon Reynolds, which
also became speedily involved in the strug-
gle. The resistance of these divisions
and the sweeping FIRE of some batteries
posted under the personal supervision of
Gen. Rosecrans arrested their advance
The divisions of Brannon and Bavard
having been rallied, Gen. Thomas ordered
general advance of the right, and soon
the tide IT battle decidedly turned in our
favor. With cheers our line advanced.
haltiHg only at times to shattef the enemy
with musketry. Several tin es the atter's
re.reating line stopped and vainly tried
to retain their ground, but they were
driven from position to position, and by
four O'Clock all the ground lost was nearly
recovered. Several batteries belonging
to Gems. Bayard's and Brannon's diyis-
ions whose horses had been killed end
supporters swept away, were retaken and
several hundred prisoners captured.
The enemy left nearly all the dead and
wounded on the field. There were at least
600 OF the former. The rebel troops en-
gaging them belonged to Buckners and
Longstreet's command. At the time the
struggle was turning in our favor ON the
left, Bragg's army proper, the corps of
Polk and Hill, formerly Hardee's, moved
to determined and well executed attack
upon palmer's and VanCleve's divisions
IN the centre. The object obviously was
TO relieve the defeated rebel right
Palmer and VanCleve soon found them
selves overpowered, and their divisions
breaking. Their complete rout was i'm
minent, when Davis division came TO
their support on Van Cleve's right. Thi.
timely reinforcement at FIRST had the Of. |
! feet of checking the enemy and RESTORING
our line. but the rebel attack was speedily
renewed with greater numbers, and the
centre was again compelled to yield
Davis was forced to the right and Van
Cleve to the left, and the enemy advanced
through the opening made in our line,
threatening to take the centre and right
by their TANKS, as they had done on the
left. At this critical juncture, Sheridan's