The National tribune., 1882-03-25
CHATTANOOGA CAMPAIGN
TC0ntinned from, First paqe.1

Continued from First page
ion, which was temporarily to the right of
Brannon, should be sent to Thomas or not.
The remaining portion of the Twenty-first
Corps, consisting Of Woods and Van Cleve's
divisions of two brigades each, was to be held
in reserve. The cavalry in fulfillment ofpre-
ceding orders, was to come down to Crawfish
Springs and cover the hospitals for the
wounded and act according to emergencies.
Wilder's brigade was to occupy position to
the right, passing eastwards. This was for
the purpose of giving time for Posts brigade
with the supply train to proceed down to
Chattanooga Creek, his descent in the rear
having been impeded by marching in the
rear of the descending columns OF the Twcn-
tieth Corps. The orders Of the corps COM
manders in conformity with this plan were
written, and each order read in the presence
of the other corps commanders, so that they
all understood their duties before they went
to their commands.
AT DAYLIGHT ON THE 10Th
I repaired with Gen. Thomas to the eXtrem-
ity of his line and inspected it, and decided
that Negley's division was to be sent to him,
and that Crittenden was to- replace it by
Woods division. Orders to that effect were
accordingly dispatched. Arriving at the
vicinity Of Woods bivouac, his division was
found in line of battle, half or three quarters
of mile in the rear of the position to which
it should have gone. 1 inquired what he
was doing there, and Wood said he under
stood Gen. Crittenden to direct him to form
there. I told him, BY no means; you are to
replace Negley's division on the line, and I
want you to do it as soon as the Lord will
let you" He said he didn't know the place.
| saw Gen. Negley's inspector-general, Major
Jackson coming, and. I told him to take Gen.
Wood to the line
then proceeded to the right Of our line,
where Sheridan's headquarters were, saw the
lines adjusted in the direction of the enemys
movements, and directed General McCook to
close his division, move firmly to the left, and
keep close to the enemy. General McCook
urged the importance Of holding the road
which Sheridan's division commanded near
lIlO w luOW UiSHI HUuSt. UuU ItSpUllbCu.
" 1t is indispensable to close to the left; we
cannot afford to have another Stone River
By this time heavy firing was heard on our
left, and I knew that Thomas was engaged.
I directed General Crittenden to move Van
Cleve near to the centre of the line in the
vicinity Of Brannon, and took my position
with staff On slope Of an old field leading
to the woods in which Gen. NegIey's divis-
ion was posted. Shortly after an aide from
Gen. Thomas came, requesting me urgently
to send Negley to him. I replied: "Tell
Gen. Thomas that Woods division is prob
ably in place and Negley's on the way there"
Negley's division moved out just at that mo-
ment, and I said: "There it goes"
THE TIDE OF BATTLE NOW CAME SWELL
.. ING TOWARDS THE RIGHT.
Shortly after another aide came from Gen
Thomas, saying that he was hotly pressed
and should need Brannon. I said: Tell
Gen. Thomas our line is closing towards
him and to hold his ground at all hazards,
and I will reinforce him with the entire
army if necessary. Tell General Brannon to
obey Gen. Thomas's orders" l then directed
Major Bond, who was standing by myself
and Gen. Garfield, to direct Wood to close to
the left and support Reynolds, and General
McCook to see that his troops were closed
well down, which order he went to see exc
cuted.
The messenger to Wood departed few
minutes after General Thomas's aide, who
proceeded to General Brannon and told
him he was to 90 to General Thomas. Bran
mons front was then being attacked, and he,
like ttue soldier, sent TN aid-de-camp to
inform Thomas Of that fact, and to ask him
whether under the circumstances he was to
obey the order. Thomas replied, "By no
MEANS and Brannon remained in his place.
He also consulted with General Reynolds.
his Immediate senior, who took the respon-
sibility of retaining him until Thomas could
be heard from.
Meanwhile Woods, on receiving his order,
ound Brannon still in his place and his front I
being attacked, instead of reporting to me
or further instructions proceeded to with
lraw his division from its place in line under
ire. This opened a gap, which General Davis
attempted to close, moving by the flank to
he left. The enemys front line of infantry
struck him while in motion; his troops gave
way, and I saw them coming to the rear.
By this time General MeCook had reached |
ne, and I directed him to move General |
Sheridan down as rapidly as possible to close
he gap. Meanwhile the enemy came |
through the open gap left by the retiring
,rigades of Davis's and Woods's divisions in
leavy columns By this time also the left
# the enemy's line, which extended through |
he fields and reached the road south of the
Widow Glenn's house, came on the flank of |
Sheridan, and where his right would have
'een when he got into place and up to where
lis right centre brigade rested Sheridan
moved his command down in column of
divisions at double-quicll and received this
ttack of the enemy also on his flank, so
hat his command gave way and retired to
he northwest Wilder, on the extreme
eght, fighting gsllantly held his posi-
ion. rrnon seeing the breach proceeded
7ith my staff towards General Sheridan
0 see the order executed.
SAW LYTLE's HORSE COME BACK WITH
OUT A RIDER,
nd his brigade shattered and falling back
owards the northwest left directions for