The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-11-08
"Reminiscences. Of Gen. st.sdman.

As we sat one night in 1875 in the ratty
old editorial rooms Of the Toledo Democrat
and Herald. OF which Steedman was 'lead-
err writer and managing editor. asked
him for the story OF CLickanauga, where
he won his stars and the soldier title Of
''old Chickamauga, OF which he was so
proud. He told it as ceolly as il it was a
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 Redhouso Bridge
over the Chickamauga My orders were
explicit. Hold to the bridge at all hazarh
and prevent the enemy from fianking Gen,
iuo'na9.' r,-- -.----- - ~ raared from
our front The sonnd OF cannonalng and
battle to the nortl,ward told me that the
suemy had m.ssed against our centre and
a great bartle was on From the noise Of
conAictI judged. and rightly, that Thorn
rs was sorely pressed. ! felt that my com
mand was needed, and yet could not nn-
derstand the absence OF new orders.
waited impatiently enough from daylight
till nearly noon, hoping for some word
from tho commanding officer. Finally l
decided to risk my neck rather than see
the Union Army destroyed through mac
tivity on my part. Calling > conncil Of
officers and men. ! explained the situation,
read my orders, told them my decision,
and that on my shoulders should fall what
ever Of responsibility attached to the diso-
bedience OF orders You know the inexa-
rable military law is TO ask no questions.
obey all orders and accept the consequence
o.. knew that il my movement was q
failure, my Judgement mistaken. nothing
less than court martial aud death awaited
me. But the battle was on, and every Il
bre in me told me | was wanted, We
burned the bridge, and marched BY the
cannons i sound to Thomas ai,l Through
cornfelds, thicket and oak woods We had
q fearful tramp, for no man in tho CON-
mand knew the country, aud our only
guide was the cannons BOOM When 1
reported to Con Thomas he was in despair
ut the loss OF the key to his position, which |
had Just been captured by Gen. Hindman.
The place was indicated to me BY flash
OF guns and a rattle Of canister on the
dry lesves OF the tree under which Thom.
as and stood. 1t was steep ascent with |
a densely peoplel crescent ridge that lay |
before us. There was forbidding thick
OF and AL oak forest that lay between us
and the l,elt Of rocks that marked the edge
OF 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 Iidge. Ny reply was, I'll
do it. Thirty minutes after We reached
the field we were storming the rock Of
icksmauga 1t was an awful contest mp |
that slope, every foot Of which was plant
cd with death.
ave went in with 800 men and only |
4 900 reported for duty at next muster. |
We went up, up. till we reached the sum
nit and planted ourselves there to stay.
II vss terribly hot plsce, and We made
the plateau lake OF blood before We drove
Hindman back rode back aud reported
W Thomas. Twas bloody IRON head 10
focs He claspesl my hand and ssil with
great emotion. General SteedmAn, ron
hare sared my army | got my stars not
long sfterward. aud that's about alt there
wss Of IT, Yes, IL was big risk ! ram
bat was right aud ] knew IT," =
A be rode TO battle that day he met
Gen. Granger, who said ieelingly, ''Sleed,
old boy. It's going to be hot in there II
suything should happen, have you any re.
qnesl TO make Of me?' The vein OF senti- !
meni was running leepin the questioners
heart, but the practical soldier responded
10 words that have since been memorable:
eyes. Gen GrAnger, u ! fall 10 the
nabt. please see my body decenilr buried
nud nv name correctly spelled 10 the news
papers, 9 aaa be deliberately spelled II;