The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-08-30
BradIey's Brigade at chichamsuga.
editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
DR.. A. G. Kemper in his article on General
W. II. Lyle, published in your paper Of July
5th, pays just tribute TO q noble, patriotic
soldier, whose death was much regretted. In
speaking Of the battle of Chickamauga, the
doctor says: e" 1t thus came about that there
was little to be done by General Sheridan and
General Lytle on that day September 18th. lie
may be correct as to the first brigade (Lytle's),
but not as to the Third brigade (Bradley's),
composed of the Twenty second, Twenty
seventh, Forty second, and Fifty-first Illinois
infantry, and Houghtaling'S battery. This bril-
gade formed the rear guard of that memorable
move Of line to the left on the morning of
the 10Th, thus forming the extreme right of our
line About , O'Clock p. m. we arrived where
Woods division had been engaged in the
morning. | say this because we had passed
by wounded men who said they belonged to
that division. Here we formed into line on
the right by nie in the edge of a piece of tim
Der. There was field III front and battery
or part of one on the field. The rebels in
the edge of opposite timber were in plain view.
General Sheridan was sitting on his horse
watching the enemy through his field glass in
front of the right of my regiment (Fifty-firs
Illinos). Personally he ordered US forward,
telling US to keep cool and fire low.
Marching forward at shoulder arms, we
crossed a ditch in the field, where we
saw many wounded and dead A rebel battery
was playing on US all the time that we formed.
As we came close up to fle battery, we were
ordered to halt and commence firing, which
was what we had been eager TO do for some
time, as we had already lost many men.
We lay fat, loading and firing at viii for
some time. All seemed to go well, though the
bullets flew thick and close, and many an officer
and private fell, among them our gallant conf
mander Bradley, who was wounded in the
side, until presently yell of triumph from the
rebels caused us to look to the left, where we
saw our line falling back and the rebels direct
ing an obligue fire into cur left flank. This
added to the storm of bullets from the front
made il seem as If the air was literally filled
with tipping, shrieking minies and bullets,
and we hardly dared to breathe, for fear OF in
haiiing bullets though We laid low and as fat
as soldiers only can do when necessary.
Officers aud men rolled over, shot and mutilated
in all shapes. When at last orders were given
TO fall back there were but few OF the left wing
who had legs able to carry them back. | re-
member distinctly that mine failed for the first
time TO do me that favor. After several un-
successful efforts to run, | was not little sar-
prised TO find hole in my pants covering my
left thigh, and found that had no feeling in the
leg and foot. / had received a couple ofwounGs
in my right arm and hand before that cross fire.
but felt confident of the ability ofmy legs doing
their duty when the time should come FULLY
realizing now that my leg had gone back on
on me, lay still and took in the situation, which
was by no means a pleasant one. My eyes
naturally followed my company, and l solilo-
pulsed thus: Lucky fellows, your legs are
true to you yet" With joy beheld our old
and tried friend, Houghtaling's battery, in posi-
ton. About that time they began to pull the
lanyards, and didn't those shells sound bravely
as they passed over me aud cut wide gaps in
the rebel ranks! Each man did his duty well,
and soon our brigade reformed and came for
ward. As Sergeants Ames and Steward, OF COM
pany K, carried me back over the bitches, which
were now filled with dead and dying, ] heard a
cheer, and looking back saw the Third brigade
of the Third division fSheridan's) bringing
those guns out of the field.
GEO. YUNCKER,
Sergeant, Co. G, 5lst III. Inf
MACON Mo