Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1864-09-14


are permitted to make the following extracts from
letter received by him from ShermanS army;
HDApouAHrEHs srH TEYE. Vol. IxT., IN TIE uzLD,
Near Atlanta, August 10, 1854
= In fulfllment of my promise, l now
write to tell you Of the brave and gallant conduct
| of one of YOUR own loyal regments-the noble 9Th
Tennessee Volunteer Infantry-in the charge made
by the ls Brigade Gen. Reillys,) against the left
of the rebel lines near Atlanta, Ga, on the 9Th inst
l do so, because, having been for some time past
| temporarily in command of the regiment, (ts field
officers all being ABSENT had the honor to lead
| them upon that OccasiOn-share with them the dan
| ger and peril, and witness their noble bearing
throughout the action. The 6th was held in reserve,
| massed in column by division, under the brow of a
hill about six hundred wards in front of the rebel
works. The other regiments of the Brigade ad-
| vanced in single line upon the charge, getting
within eight ten rods OF the rebel entrenchments
unable to 90 further but stubbornly holding their
ground. The 6th was then ordered to depoy into
line and charge in the hope that they might reach
the rebel works and break their lines. They did
so promptly, advancing in double quick, with fixed
bayonets-passinG through Il small strip OF woods
and entering the open ground in front OF the rebel
works. Amid storm Of bullets they pressed for
ward upon the charge, up the steep hill, through
and over the tangled brush and distractions, with
unbroken line advancing until within Il few yards
of their entertainments, when, their ranks thinned,
utterly exhausted and unable longer stand before
the whitening fire to which they were exposed
direct fire from their works in front and enflad-
ing fire from either tank-thcy laid down, and I'M
sheltered continued for nearly an hour the unequal
fight against the outnumbering and entrcnched
emy, who, after the action began, had been largely
reinforced Had the regiment failed to charge Or
at this critical uncture had they fallen into confu-
sion disorder and retreated-as even brave men
might have done-thcy, well as the whole Brig
adc would have been almost entirely cut to pieces
md PINT 4bn,- aDJ dafaDtly
held their exposed position, (the other regiments Of
the Brigade acting in the same manner,) fighting
bravely and far in their power returning shot
for shot-the rebels demanding their surrender, and
they for reply returning bullets. Thus the day
saved by intmdating the rebels from leaving their
bitches TO attempt their capture and enabling the
wounded to be brought off the field, and then, when
commanded, and not till then they skillfuly and
with but little loss, withdrew.
No regiment ever marched more steadily or
maintained better line while advancing upon a
charge than did this noble little Tennessee regi-
ment. None ever faced danger, fought more brave
w. or withdrew more skillfully than did they re- !
tanning through all the horrid crash and strife and
peril of that fatal hour that presence of mind .
which charactcrizcs the "bravest of the brave
They failed to reach the enemys works and break
his lines only because to that number of men, it was
John Gossctt. was killed. falling but a few pace.
from their works. The Color Corporal, Newton j. .
Rogers, fcll-supposed to be wounded-with the
flagstaff against the works, and holding still faith
fully to the staff, dragged over the works and
COlors captured
The regiment lost more heavily in proportion to
Its numbers than any other III the Brigade it hav-
ing advanced nearest to the rebol works and been
most exposed. 1t entered the engagement with
twelve commissioned officers, myself included,
and came out with but six unhurt Entered with
2ll enlisted men, and came out with but 134. The
losses were-killed, 2G; mortally wounded, ); Sc
riously wounded, 26; slightly wounded 10; miss
ing, I6; total, S3-bcing more than one-third of
their number engaged.
| might instance to You special acts of daring
courage, heroism and loyal devotion the part Of
both officers and men, who fell under my own OBJ
servation, but refrain from doing SO, as all fought
bravclv, and then, when retiring lengtheued out
the minutes of personal danger and peril to aid
those who wounded TO get away, and have
fairly won for themselves Il reputation for bravery
courage and patriotic devotion, which while such
virtues are esteemed and such deeds recorded, will
be remembered and emulated Since the battle the
regiment was formed into line for the purpose when
Gen. Reilly personally cOmplmented them both
officers and men, in unmeasured terms for their no.
bic conduct unsurpassed bravery and gallantry,
and thanked them for their important services upon
that day; and also told them that Gems. Schofeld
and Cox had each, likewise, commissioned him to
bear them, personally, their thanks and compl-
ments with the assurance that their gallantly and
services were duly appreciated by them.
/ send YOU detailed list of the casualties which
please have published for information to those hav-
ing friends in the regiment.
Your friend, WI.