The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-01-10
AS GEN. SMITH SAW 1T.
The True Story Of General Steedman's Gallantry
at Chick an,auga.

at Chickamauga.
General J. G. Smith, State treasurer of Illi-
nois, has written detailed account of the gal
liant part borne by General James b. Steedman
in marching to the relief of General Thomas at
Chickamauga, and of his personal heroism in
that battle. General Smith was then member
of General Steedman's staff and with him in
spected the lines that memorable morning of
September 20, 1868. His account of the heroic
colonies of the various Illinois regiments in
Steedman's command relieves them all of the
charge which has sometimes been made that
it was owing to the cowardice of an Illinois
colonel that the regiment, whose colors General
Steedman gFasped, fell back. General Smith s
table Of casualties has never before been pub
lished:
THE MEETING WITH GRANGER.
The writer was with General Steedman on the
morning of September 90 1853, inspected the lines
with him, and with him met General Granger on
yersation related in my letter to DIR. Woods. of
January "a, 1882 took place. That conversation
was substantially as follows:
Meeting General Granger, above stated, and
after the usual salntations General Steedman re-
marked: The fighting will be ON the right to-day,
and we ought to go to the support OF General
Thomas. General Granger answered: 1t does
seem SO, but your orders to hold the Ringgold
road and protect the rear Yes said General
Steedman, bat the situation is changed. and if
General Rosecrans was here he would relieve me
and order me to Thomas To this General Gran
ger replied Perhaps he would, but it is fearful
thing General Stcednail to disobey an order and
leave a position in the face of an enemy and, as
an officer. could not advise you to do So
know it, said General steedman. but dare to
assume the responsibility, and by - will
The writer then ordered to McAfee Church
to gather up the staff, which he did and joined the
column as it marched to the relief OF General
Thomas
sTEEDMAN AND THE FLAG.
The facts In thscase are follows regiment was
beiup and by fff
of the enemy, and the writer observing it, rode ur
to the center and made an effort to rally Ii. Lieu
ker's staff, and Lieutenant j. B. Hays, Of General
Steedmans staff, reporting TO him, ne ordered
Lieutenant Pepoon TO the right and Lieutenant
Hays to the left 10 assist in reforming the regiment
At this time General Steednian came up on foot
his horse having been killed. and after words
with the color sergeant. seized the coors exclairn
| them. Go back. boys, go back, but your colors
neyerl" and advancing TO the front the whole
line charged on the doubie-quick, REFUSING ths
| enemy and driving him over the ridge.
! NO COWARD COLONIES.
There were three Illinois regiments with Gen
erai Steednlan in the assault
In Colonel Afitchells brigade was the 18th I'LL
nois, I4ienfenant-C Colonel Carter Van Week con,
handing. Colonel Van Week was severed.
wounded in this last battle and afterwards killed
! in action in the Atlanta campaign. 1t could no
! have been this gallant officer.
General Whitsaker's brigade had two regiment!
from Illinois, the 96th and Il5th; the Goth com
manded by Colonel Thomas f. Champion, unit
General Whitaker was severely wounded wheI
| he was assigned TO the command of the brigade
fighting ii for the rest of the day and commanding
| the till the recovery of General Whitaker
Colonel Champion had one horse killed unde
him in that BATTLE remained in active service I'll
the end of the war, and died some years since of
disease contracted in the army.
Lieutenant Colonel Isaac l.. Clarke, Of the a6tl
illinois, of the most gallant and Christian sol
diers ever knew, was killed in this same BATTLE
II could not have been either one of these Draw
1 officers.
| The 18th Illinois was commanded by Coione
Jesse III. Moore, who was with his regiment nj
through the fight. served till the close of the war
and as a brigadier general, by brevet, commands
this same brigade at its miISterout IN 1865. Gen
Moore served several terms in Congress from Iii
nois since the war, filed several other offices o
| trust and responsibility. and but few month
since died at CalIao where he had been statione
as United States consul.
Lieufenant-C Colonel William Kinfrian. of the list
Illinois, q born soldier, was killed In this sam
battle.
/ sTEEDMAN's LOSSES AT cHIcKAMAUGA.
/ With the casualties of General Steedfnans com
| mand in this memorable battle, O list of which
| taken from the original papers, and has neye
before been published, will close this conmuni
cation
| Second brigade. I'd division. reserve corps
Colonel Dan McGsook commanding.
4 Can't cd rTrte