The Mineral argus., 1883-11-29
STORIES OF sTEEDMAN.
How Hs'won His Stars and the soubri-
quet Of "OId ChIekamauea

no" HoNon HIS stars and the SOubri-
q0es Of "Old Chickamausa"
Cincinnati Commercials Gazette: As we sat.
one night in 1878, in the ratty old editorial
rooms Of the Toledo Democrat and Herald. Of
which steedmau was leader writer aud 1 man
aging editor, / asked him for the story OF
Chiekamauga, where he won his stars aud the
soldier title OF Old Chickamauga, Of which he
was so proud. He told it as coolly as il it was
3 dream to him:
"Why, my boy, there wasn't much to do. |
was In charge OF the First division Of the Re
serve corps Of the Army Of the Cumberland.
and had been stationed at Ringgold or Hedhouss
Bridge over the Chickamauga. My orders we're
explicit, to hold tho bridge at all hazard
and prevent the enemy from hanking Gen.
Thomas. The enemy disappeared from our
front The sound Of c~anOnnading and battle
TO the northward told me that the enemy had
massed against oar centre, and a great
battle was on Fiom the noise OF conflict l
judged, aud rightly, that Thomas was sorely
pressed. lfelt that my command was needed,
and yet could not understand the absence Of
new ordera. l waited imDatienuy enough from
daylight ill nearly noon, hoping for some word
from my commanding officer. Finally l de-
cided TO risk my neck rather than see the Union
army destroyed through inactivity on my part
Calling n council Of officers and men,
l explained the situation, read my orders,
told them my decision, and hat on
my shoulders should fall whatever
Of responsibility attached to the dis
obedience Of orders. You know the inexorable
military law is to ask no questions, obey all
orders, and accept consequenceA' know
that II my movement was a failure, my judy
ment mistaken, nothing less than a court mar
tiSl aud death awaited me. Blu the battle was
on, and every fibre in me said 1 was wanted.
We burned the bridge and marched by the
cannons' sound TO Thomas aid Through
corn fields, thickets, and oak woods
We made a fearful tramp, for no man
in the command knew the country,
and our only guide was the cAnnons' boom
When / reported to Thomas he was in despair
at the loss Of the key TO his position, which had
just been captured by Gen. Hindman's rebel
corps The pace was indicated 10 me by q
flash OF guns and q rattle Of canister on the dry
leaves OF the tree under which Thomas and 1
stood. IL was a steep ascent with a densely-
peopled crescent ridge, that lay before us.
There was a f~orbidding thicket aud an oak
forest between us Ard the belt Of rocks that
marked the edge of a broad plateau on which
the enemy was IN brilliant victory. There,
there said Thomas, as the guns flashed again.
Now you see their exact position. You must
take that ridge My reply was: iii do it,
In thirty minutes after we reached the field
we were storming the rock Of Chickamauga
1t was an awful contest up that slope every
foot OF which was planted with death.
1--WE went in with 1900 men, and only
1900 reported for duty at tho next muster.
We went DIP, up, up till we reached the sum
NIT, and planted ourselves there to stay 1t
was a terribly hot place. and we made the
plateau a lake OF blood before we drove Hind
man back. l rode back and reported TO
thomas. was bloody from head TO foot He
clasped my hand, and said with great emotion,
Gen. Steedman, you have saved my army j
got my stars not long a~fterward, and that's
about all there was Of it, Yes, It was a big
risk ran; but l was right aud / knew it."
As he rode TO battle that day he met Gen.
Granger, who said, feeliugiy: 'Stod, old boy,
it's going to be id hot in there. II anything
should happen have You any requests 10 make
of mey'' The vein OF sentiment was running
deep 10 the q~uestionsr's heart but the prae-
teal soldier responded in words that have
since been memorable:
Yes, Gen. Granger, if / fall in this fight
please see my body decentlY buried and my
name correctly spelled in the newspapers" and
he deliberately spelled IT,