Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-10-28
BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA.
ENGAGEMENTS ON SATURDAY AND
SUNDAY
GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE
CONTEST.
Special Correspondence of the Cincinnati Gn,.s,.
HEADQUARTERS Army OF THE CUMBERLAND,
"|' .. MOsbAY, Sopt. 2lst 1883.

Special Correspondence Of the Cincinnati Gassie.
HBADouARrERs ARNY OF THE CUMBERLAND,
"|f .. MoSbAY, Sept. 2lst 1888.
.. SATURDAYS BATTLE
The shifting of Thomas corps during
the night Of Friday placed it on the left
line ia the following order: Braunon on
the extreme left, Baird next and Rey-
nolds next Negley was assisting Wood
TO hold the passage of Ovens ford and
the position of Gorden's Mill which had
now become our extreme right, One di-
Visl"l Of Mc)ook' corps, johnson s hav-
ing come up to the new line sooner than
the rest, reported to Thomas for orders and
was assigned position on the left between
Baird and Reynolds. Two divisions of
Crttendcn's corps held the center Of the
line. Palmer on the right of Reynolds
and Van Cleve next to Palmer When
the battle began, Davis and Sheridan, of
McCook's corps were rapidly marching TO-
ward the left. TO complete the line and
take posit ion on the right of Van Cleve.
Generally, the line took the direction ofthe
Chckamduga, Withdrawn upon the left so
as to follow for considerable distance
the course of the Lafayette road, which
runs directly north and south.
The rebels had been msnpuyeiing all
day on Friday about the position at Cor
dons Mil, and seeing its great strength
had menaced our left flank, doubtless
NTH the express purpose Of compelling
Gen. Rosecrans TO abondon H. As the
left must be protected at all hazards, their
plan partially succeeded, and the i'm
mense transfer Of Thomas from right to
left cn friday night SO far suited their de
,igns. BIT il rendered our own left so
strong thatit became impossible for the reb-
els to turn it, rs they had all along hoped
to do. The attempt on our part to hold
Gorden's Mil after this transfer, perhaps
occa>sioned too great a lenghthening Of
our lines, and consequently too little so
lidity. True; ii seemed every way adap-
ted to prevent the enemy from hanking
us upon the right, tut the simple with
drasal Of our right wing to the Mission
Ridge, allowing it to rest there, would
have fully secured that flank, enabled us
t. bid defiance 10 the rebels in that direc-
tion, greatly contracted our front and re-
leased for immediate service on SaterdAy
the splended divisions OF Negley and
Wood The entire distance over which
the line extended WAS little short Of three
and a half miles.
1t was between 10 and IL when Croton''
brigade, of Bran mans division, going down
10 ford over the creek, j1st oppost"
their position, encountered the enemy,
who was advancing in force, and, after
gallant combat, was driven back. Rein
forccments Immediately coming up from
the remainder of Brannan's division, the
rebels were in turn driven pell-meil
toward the ford Another terrible charge
by largely increased force of the enemy
pushed back the whole of Brannan's di'
vision, involving General Baird, who AT
once became ferccly engaged. The Reg
ulars, outflanksd, after the Withdrawal o
Brannan's men, fought like tigers, but
were rolled back aud over Scribner's brig
ade-the right Of which being rather toe
far advanced, was crumpled up, and the
brigade literally surrounded, until, by un'
paralleled galaniry, it cat its way through
The storm rolling from left to right, fell
next upon Johnston, and almost simulta
neously upon Reynolds, who both tough
with desperate valor, wavering at times
but again gaining their frmness, givint
back a little but again advancing, unit
the troops of Brannan and Baird rallied
by their able leaders, and by the persona
exertions of Thomas bimsel!, whose cour
age was as conspicuous as his cooness
came up once more TO the work.
Then the order was issued for the entire
line to advance, and nothing in history
exceeds in grandeur the charge of tba
powerful corps. Longstreet's men from
Virginia we're directly opposed to th,
troops of Thomas, and although the!
fought with stubborn determination, the,
could not for ar instant check the slov
and stately march Of our battslions. Ii
vain they rallied and re-rallied; in val
they formed double lines, which fred sin
ultaneously; in vain they wheeled the
cannons in score Of new positions, Thou
rs moved resistlessly on. Much Of OF
artillery lost in the morning was recal
tured. Seven pieces were taken from Ii
enemy. They had been pushed alread
three quarters OF mile, and Longstre'
was threatened with actual annihilatlo
when new danger caused Thomas
halt.
While our left was so remorselesly DIR
wing the rebels, Polk and Hill collenlln