Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-02
"Reminiscences of Gen. Stee oman.
From the Commercial Cazettp1


AS VIC sat one night in 1875, in the ratty
old editorial rooms of the Toledo Democrat
and HeyaM, OF which Stcedman was "leader"
writer and managing editor, l asked him
for the story of Chichamauga, where he won
his stars and the soldier title of "Old Chick
amauga," of which he was SO proud. He
told it as coolly as il it was dream TO him.
"Why, my son, there wasn't much to it,
was in charge of the first division of the
reserve corps of the Army of the Cumberland
and had been stationed at Ringgold, or Red
house Bridge over the Chickamauga. My
orders were explicit, Hold to the bridge at
all hazard and prevent the enemy from
flauking General Thomas. The enemy
disappeared from our front. The sound
of cannonadiug aud battle to the
northward told me that the enemy
had masscd against our center, and a
great battle was on. From the noise OF
conflict judged, and rightly, that Thomas
was sorcly pressed felt that my command
was needed, and yet could not understand
the absence Of new orders. ] waited impati-
emily enough from daylight till nearly noon,
hoping for some word from the commanding
officer. Finally decided to risk my neck
through inactivity ON my part. Calling a
council of officers and men | explained the
situation, read my orders, told them my de-
cision and that on my shoulders should fall
whatever of responsibility attached to the
disobcdcncc Of orders. You know the in
exorable military law ia to ask no questions
obey all orders and accept consequences
knew that if my movement was failure,
my judgment mistaken, nothing less than
court martial and death awaited me. But
the battle was on, and every fiber in me
said | was wanted. We burned the bridge,
and marched by the cauuon's sound to
Thomas's aid. Through corn fields, ,hickets
and oak woods we made u fearful tramp, for
no man in the command knew the country,
and our only guide was the caunon's boom,
When lreportcd to Thomas, h. was in de-
.pair at The loss of the key TO his position,
which had just been captured by Gen. Hind
mans rebel corps. The place was indicated
to me l,y flash of guns and a rattle of can
lister on the dry leaves of the tree under
which Thomas and l stood. 1t was steep
ascent, with densely -pcopled crescent
ridge, that lay before us. There was for
bidding thickct and an oak forest between
US and the belt of rocks that marked the
edge of a broad plateau on which the enemy
was jubilant with victory. There, there,
said Thomas, as the guns flashed again.
Now, You see their exact position. You
must take that ridge My reply was: IN
do it,. In 80 minutes after we reached the
field were We storming The rock Of Chicka-
manga. 1t was an awful contest up that
slope, every foot of which was planted with
death.
1--WE went in with 1900 men, aud only
1000 reported for duty at next muster We
went up, up, up till we reached the summit,
and planted ourselves there to stay. 1t was
terribly hot place, and We made the plateau
lake OF blood before we drove llindman
back. Irodc back and reported to Thomas.
| was bloody from head 10 foot He clasped
my hand, and said with great emotion, Gen.
Stecdman, you have saved my army got
my stars not long aftcrward, and that's
about all there was of ii. Yes, it was big
risk | ran, but was right and | knew it,"
AS he rode 10 battle that day he met Gen.
Granger, who said fcelingly, "oteed, old
boy, it's going TO be hot in there. If any
thing should happen, have you any request
TO make of me?" The vein Of sentiment was
running deep in the qucstioner's heart but
the practical soldier responded in words that
have since been memorable
''Ycs, Gen. Granger; il fall in the fight
please see my body deccntly buried and my
name correctly spelled in the newspapers"
and he deliberately spelled it.