The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-23
CHICKAMAUGA.

porlant Chapter OF American HIS
tory
From st. Louis republican.
Glow about the battle of Chickamau-
ga?" was the greeting given Gen. }. 81
Fullerton yesterday by a republican re-
porter.
II know what you mean answered
the general. "Yes, 1 read that article
in yes erday's Republican written by
Ben Abou' concerning Gen. Steedmap
and tie ling how he saved the army OF
the Cumberland at Chickamauga. l read
it with much interest and have recent
ly read several other articles and print
ed letters of the same purport concern
ing the battle of Chi kamauea.
Did you know Gen. SteedmanI"
eyes, | knew him we'll and saw mucl
of him during the WAL and since. We
were warm personal friends and Of tn,
same political faith. | associated wit
him in the tour of inspection throus'
the south to inspect the FreedmanHs
bureau, referred to in the article
mentioned. The fall before that tou.
was made President Johnson sent me 10
Louisiana on n like mission. l hay ng
as he thought, accomplished something
there, the following spring he reQue-t-
the southern states. aud had an order is
sued hon fhe war department for tha,
purpose. begged him not to send me
not wishing to 20 An account of the ab"sc
| had received on account of the Louisi-
ana business, and I suggestel that he
should send an older officer, one better
known to tsie public, and especially one
who had commanded negro troops. At.
rwards he .e.ccted Gen. Steedmanand
sent ~ Doth off together"
Did you know Gen, Sto6dmnn at the
tune of the battse of Chickamauga?"
Eyes, very we'll. At that time he
| commanded a division of the reserve
corps CT the Srmy of the Cumberland,
Gen. Gordon Granger commanded the
corps and / was its assistant adjutant.
general"
"How about Steedmar's moving to the
sound of battle, going &c the assistance
of Thomas and saving the day."
"Such statement Us these, often re,
peated and not denied, become history
or rather are taken as history. Gen
| Steedman did move owar Is the sound
| of battle, but he moved only on orders
from Gen. Granger, his superior con-
mander. To Granger alone belongs the
credit Of that movement. The circum
stances were these. The morning of Tho
goth of Septenher-the second day o
battle-Granger's command WAS poSte1
near Rossville, in q position to cover APP
proacles to the left of the army and tt
resist an attack from that direction
Gen. Steedman was there with his ntvls
ion which, as stated, was part Of Gran
gers command. Early that mormns
ne we're expecting an atta&k-thlnkin.
the battle might be opened on that par
of the field. 1T was a ioggy morning,
remember, but the fog passed away soor
after sunrise. We heard the roar o
bate as it opened up a long way of t
our right in froGt. IL soon became CIV
| ideut that there was not to &c an 0ttaci
on our part OF the line.
Gen. Rosecrans' instructions were fol
Granger to remain where he was til
otherwise ordered, bat Granger becam,
very inpatient, walked up and dow
the little plat OF ground Whsle our head
quarters were established, swearing an,
fretting because his men were lille whe
hard work was going on in another par
OF The field. Soon after ~ O'Clock h
called my attention to great columns G
dust moving from Jul iron toward tn
place from wtiich came the onnd {
,attle, and said, pointing in that dirpc
ion: Everything is moving from GU.
ront. They are concentrating ovel
here and that is where we ought to 70.
~Anxiously he watched for staff Office
II courier who might bring orders t,
move. Soon after IL o'clock we climbe,
o the top Of u high hay or straw rick
where we sat down, watching the NOV
ng columns Of dust and listenin,
) . the distant sounds OF battle whic.
we're growing louder and louder
Granger chafed and ragged and 500
umping up, putting his field glass in il
case, said, with an ouh, That was be
fore he reformed and joined the church,
Il am going over to Thomas, orders o
40 orders" L sugres ed that if h'
taIied vt might bring d ,saster to the arm,
t and hins to IL conrt-martial. III" SAT-
he, why should ! stay here. There j
tothins now in III front but so.ne rag
tug, bob-taii cavalry. Don't you Sc
BrasE is piling up his whole army o.
Fhomas. l am going to his assistance.
riiereupon he got of the rick, went t
~teedm&n and ordered him to "mov,
'vei there" tpoinslng} with hiscomman'
at once. Bv MOOT the T. served corp
was III moCion. Granger with his stai
and escort rode in advance. We had e.
. route q few shots with TIE enemy
cavalry, some of whom had worked II
f between Thomas and Granger; indeed
they had captured Thomas field hos
Dital, which WAS not tar in the rear O
his line. Gen Steedman rode with II
a short distance, end then turned bacI
to ride at the head OF his column. o
those who rode with Granger ther
) are now living Capt. Win. Avery, no,
ludge OF the Cincinnati court of common
pleas; Capt. J.G Taylor Of Cincinnati;
! O., and Capt. Thomas Beaha'n OF ZlneS
vile, o. One OF the number, Ma
Russell A. A. g. az gallant e mar a
ever went into battle, Was killed 500
,tterwards. Gen. Thomas was the,
lighting on the celebrated 'Horseho
ridge and was sorely pressed in from
} and on both TANKS. 1t did not look a
/. 'h"1gh he had long to stay. When b,
saw us approaching. a l.ng way off NTH
rear, lie thought VT might ,e Il column
} o the enemy's lroops, and that he nigh
have to,ti!h TO the rear. The Situation
was desperate, He sent toward u,
taft officer and escort TO learn The sit,l
alton, and great joy and relief wer,
brought to him and his cAmmand whrl
they found we were unexpected friend
When Granger came to Thomas. Long
s1reets victorious men We're advancin,
through q gorg" GA the rIGhtofthe rid le
1t was OF vitai importance to check tbi
advance. Can you ito it? asked rhnm
"a. Yes sail Granger, Il have g,
INST the men Tor that "a ness TIE,
ne gave the order to Steedmap to go in,
and 1t was then that he sad to Steed
ma, Sled, old boy, it's gong to bel
there"
ii,ave. blnf old Sieedman, Selling
tlAg, . with MS troops into what, con
stdrring The M uberS engaged aud los
ses on both SIDES. was perhaps the mos
~sangu,nary conflict OF the war. Out O
little over $500 men of the reserv,
corps,. nearly $500 wera killed an,