The National tribune., 1884-08-07
CHICKAMAUGA.
Two Glimpses of the Field by Wounded Man.

To THE EDITOR: The letter of Comrade
Hill, of Co. G, 12lst Ohio, published in THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE of May /, and describing
Steedmas's charge at Chickamauga, recalls two
incidents of the last afternoon of that BATTLE
which / should like to have explained by some
eyewitness. l participated in that charge,
and can vouch for the truth of the letter
After one Of the repulses of the enemy by
Steedman's division, and when there seemed
to be no prospect of an immediate renewal of
the attack, assisted some wounded comrades
TO the rear. Before l had reached the field
hospital with the last one the attack was re-
newed, and leaving my comrade under tree,
l hurried back to the front. When / reached
point opposite the mouth of the wooded val
ley where the Reserve Corps left the stubble
field, with the log house on the ridge at the
left, to go into the woods and up this valley
TO its final position on Thomas's right, a fierce
conflict was raging some three or four hundred
yards up the valley from the open field. l adj
vanced towards il, but, when within short rifle
range, the combatants wheeled to go up ridge
to the north and in SO doing gave me view
of their TANKS / found that the retreating
party were stubbornly fighting every foot of
the ground without much alignment, and so
closely followed by the enemy that in the dim
light OF the smoky valley could only distin-
guish the line between friend and foe by the
flashes of the guns. The retreating force
seemed to be dragging two field pieces, which
they stopped to fire at short intervals. |
noticed no horses. The two forces were in
good range only long enough for me to fire
two shots at the enemy, when both disappeared
over the ridge to the north, leaving the slope
dotted with the fallen. The pursued force
must have been part of the brigade TO which
Comrade Hill belonged. Soon after they dis
appeared over the ridge heard cheers. Now,
should like to know the history of this spir-
tied action and the facts in regard to the men
engaged and the result
After this incident / moved on toward the
spot where the regiment had been fighting,
and found on the ridge east Of where the Re-
serve Corps had fought but formed across
the ridge facing west the fragments of two
or three regiments, among them the ed
Mich and seth Ohio, with Col. LIE Favour
IN command. | passed through these lines to
the skirmish-line, also facing west. Here /
soon received severe wound. The skirmish-
line was driven back, apd / was between the
two lines of fire and under both. While lying
on the ridge, as twilight was coming on /
suddenly saw regiment in blue advanc-
ing towards me. 1t was, as / think, the
last charge made at the battle of Chicka-
manga. fragment of a regiment, the
21st Ohio, as l have been informed, was
making last desperate effort TO cut its way
out and clear the ridge for the passage of the
line when the remainder of the army fell back
to Rossyille. The regiment advanced, without
firing, in as perfect line as though on dress
parade. As the line reached me two files
dropped out to avoid stepping On me, and after
passing resumed their place. There was no
confusion no fear displayed in this desperate
charge of handful of men against overwhelm-
ing numbers. 1t was bayonet charge, for the
men were nearly out of ammunition / did
not see the climax of the charge, but soon after
the line had passed over me- the survivors of
the regiment came back in considerable dis
order, the few who had ammunition stopping
to wheel and fire, then passing on again. As the
broken line was going back / called to a young
soldier for assistance. Without moments
hesitation, although his comrades were leaving
him and the enemy were in pursuit and the
bullets were humming around him, he stopped
and helped me back, and seemed to feel a keen
regret when told him to save himself that I
could go no further. / should like to know
what became of that gallant regiment, and es-
pecialiy the fate Of that brave boy who risked
his own life to help one he had never seen
before. II he survived the battle he probably
never gave his heroic act further thought.
but the soldier whom he helped has always re-
membered it with gratitude. After this charge
was over there was but little firing and the
few remaining Union soldiers on the ridge.
having been completely surrounded surren-
dered.-G. S. ROBINSON, Co. II, 115th ILL.,,
Storm Lake, Iowa.