davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29
It, under Reynolds. WEE
{ Chicka,nalga creek.

n, 7. j
,nond. This Rosecrans became aware of
Sept. 16, and his anxiety was greatly in
creased.
Once more Bragg prepared to attack the
Union army. His preparations occupied
from Sept. Is to Il. He ordered his generals
to concentrate along the east banks OF the
Chickanauga. The Union army was by
Sept. Is concentrated on the west side.
The vital point to both armies was now the
road from Lafayette to Chattanooga. This
road passes through gapi Ia Mission Ridge
at Rossville. Whichever, therefore. could
secure this gap at Rossville was sure Of Chat
tanooga. At this time there was at Chatta-
nooga only one brigade Of Union troops,
Wagner's, and at Lee Il Gordon's mills,
where the roed to Chattanooga touches
Chickamauga creek, there was for several
DAYS only one division Of Union troops,
Woods. An attack from Bragg any time
from Sept Il to 10, on the Lafayette and
Chattanooga road, would have secured it to
the Confederates. But Bragg was waiting
for re-enforcements. When, at length, he
was ready to attack, Rosecrans had his three
corps within supporting distance
As the Union army lay, Sept. Is, 1t faced
Chickainauga creek to the eastward. A
stream called Crawfish spring flows into the
west side Of the Chickamauga, a short dis
lance southwest Of Lee & Gordon's mill
Around and north OF Crawish spring the
Union army was grouped in regular order,
Sept. Is, McCook on the right. Thomas in the
center. and Crittenden on the left. This ro-
stion on the 18th must be remembered in Or
der to get the situation OF the 10Th, the first
battle day, clearly in the mind Iilder's
mounted infantry and Minty's cavalry were
guarding the Union left to the northward.
All day at intervals, during the 18th, word
came to Rosecrans that the Confedera4Sss
were massing more and more strongly upon
his left.
He must save Chattanooga at all risk
Part OF the Union army must speed north
ward with nll haste to guard the road lead
ing from Chickanauga creek TO Rossvalle.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29
BATTLE OF SEPT. 20.

As the light dawned Sept. 90, the atnos.
phere was mur!ly and full OF vapor, Ike
London in fog. At daybreak Gen. lose
Grams in person rode all along his line with
his chief of staff, Gen. James A. Garfield,
and other aides
Gen. Rosecrans made some changes in his
line, bidding McCooi make the right shorter
and more compact. He found the Same fault
with McCook's alignment of the right wing
that he lad dove at Stone river: the line was
too long and thin. The commander-in chief
directed Crittenden, on the contrary, to
spread his divisions out more and farther to
the left.
The Union troops were very carefully
posted, so rs to cover bot. the approaches to
Chattanooga, over the Rossville and the Dry
Valley roads The two roads came together
at Eossvll!c.
The commander felt sure that tho attack
would be made on the Union left He there
fore sent orders to Negley to move up to Gen.
Thomas. At the same time McCook was to
close of the gap left by Ncgley.
Then Rosecrans moved OFF to the left, where
he believed the battle would begin. Re-
turning once more to the right, lie found that
his orders to McCook and Negley had not
been obeyed.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29
CHlCKAMAUGA.
One Of the Bloodiest Battles of
the Civil War.
SEPTEMBER 10 AND 20, 1863.
The Armies Of Bragg and Rosecrans
Meet ut Last,

The Story Told Quarter Of a Century
Later--After Three Months OF Retreat
ing Bragg Makes Stand and Fights.
Re-enforced from Lee. at Richmond, and
Jo!,nston, in Mississippi. He Wins a
victory-A Fatal Gap in the Union
Line--Gen. Thomas. the Rock of Chick
amau Sa-Garfield's Ride.
The battle of Chickamauga took place
Sent. 10 and 20, 1863. with preliminary
fight Sept H. The heaviest fighting was on
the Goth, and on Sunday.
The engagement Of Wildor's mounted in
fantry at Leet's lanyard, Sept. Is, was the
premonitory signal Of the battle. 1t occur
red near Lee e. Gordon's mill, while Critten-
den, iii obedience to Rosecrans' order, was
concentrating his cCr1,s
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29
LEE 4 GoRDoN's MILL.


Yet again in this day of varying fortunes
the tables were turned aud pursrer became
the pursued. Gen. Liddells Confederates
turned and retreated before the attack of
Johnson's freshly arrived division. The re-
treating columns lost heavily in killed,
wounded and captured, and were forced to
leave behind ali the Union guns they had cap
tured.
Just after Liddell was driven from the
Geld about II O'Clock a. n. Gen. Bragg or
dered Cheatham's diyision, 1900 strong, to
60 to his relief. sRuttssseatham was too late
As Liddell fled Gen. Thssnas quickly organ
lied !, pursuing column. Two more fresh di-
~NdoAi had just arriHsy to assist Thomas.
CT. tenden, at Crpeaish Spring, had taken
the ft.Ss r,sibility ~ sending Paimer's divi
sion e e-nas. Reynolds division of
Thomas wn 10. s reached the ground about
the same t 10 with Palmer.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29

Gen. Thomas organized the three fresh d.
visions at once, Reynolds on the right, Pal
mer in the center and johnson on the left.
They attacked Cheathams flank Brannan's
division, still in fighting trim, came against
Cheatham on the front. The Confederates
fell back in confusion.
But now great clouds Of Confederates APP
peared on the west bank of the Chickamauga.
There seemed no end to them. Behind
Cheatham was A. P. Stewards division from
Buc,ner's corps. It contained $500 men.
Aa Thomas pursued Cheathams flying col
urrus, Stewart attacked Palmer SO vigorously
that he was forced back
Van Cleve's division came to the support Of
Palmer who formed Thomas center in the
column organized to pursue Cheatham.
Behind the Confederate division of A. +.
Stewart were two more, those of Hood and
Bushrod johnson. They followed up the at
tack Of Stewart strongly, driving back both
Palmer and Van C!eve.
It was now near 3 O'Clock In the afternoon.
The roar Of battle was growing more and
more terrific. The Union troops, listening
anxiously down ct C-awtish Spring, knew by
the yeering of the sound gradually to the
westward that Thomas men were being
driven. The divisions of Wood, Davis,
Sheridan, and finally Negley, were sent one
after another TO the scene of action. Van
Cleve's Union division was hurled back;
nest Reynolds: next Davis was driven.
Wood came with his division in time to stay
briefly TIL, victorious Confederate tide, when
he too was about to succunb
But Cen Phi Sherldan's division came on
Just in time to save Words division and the
day Half past brought Nesley's division.
1t went into the fight on the hard pressed
center and hurled into the Confctlera;es vol
leys of shot that Alcy could not Withstand.
They retreated, and Nesley pursued them
Till night.
D. II. Fill, Oh the extreme Confederate
left. ordered an attack during the day Of the
18th at Glass mill, not far from Lee q Cor
dons mill One of Breckuridge's brlgades
was crossed over the ChicEamauSa and made
an attack on Negley's division that had been
left at Crawfsh Spring. But Nesley's divi-
sion was llurrying to the Federal left to the
aid Of the hard pressed forces there.
D. H. Hill believes that at this moment 1t
would have been an admirable piece OF tao
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29

Confederatts took advantage Of this fatal
gap III the line.
Longstreet poured the whole Confederate
left wing into the space. and wheeled his force
around towards his own right. The Union
army was cut in two The corps of Critten-
den and McCoos were struck IL flank. they
were driven from tie field.
The Union line of battle that had stood so
bravely from north to south in the morning
was bent back. Ali south of the divisions Of
Baird and johnson were rolled back ward till
they extended from east to west, almost at
right angles to the position they held i'll tho
morning
Through tho gap swept the Confederate
forces Of Stewart, Hood. Renshaw, Johnson
and H,ndnan. Preston followed as sup
port. They poured through the breach like
waters over a broken levee.
South Of the break McCook was left with
only q portion of Sheridan's and Davis diyi-
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29

DIVISION WIS buo
only part Of Longstreet's corps present at
the f1ght of Sept. 10. The rest had not yet
arrived. The Federal line ex.en ed from
Crawfish Spring on the south to kellys
farm on the north, a distance of five miles.
Bragg's order contemplated first the cross
ing to the west bank of the Chicka-
manga in the order named. then a gen
eral movement from the Confederate right
toward Lee & Gordon's mill on the left,
and vigorous attack on the Federal
line as the move was executed from right to
left.
It will be seen that the attack of Gen
Thomas on the Confederate right before
Bragg's army was ready. on the morning OF
Sept. 10, changed this plan of battle.
l. was Forests cavalry that Gen. Thomas
troops met and attacked on the rad to Reeds
bridge ca ly Sept. 10. The attacking Union
forcs was Brig. Gen. John I. Cro1tons
brigade.
Behind Forests cavalry were two brigades
of Confederate infantry. Crosto1 drove the
cavalry back upon the infantry. These BRIG
AIDES, Ector's and Wilson'S in turn advanced
and drove Croxton back upoa Baird and
Brannan Then the Confederates were
beaten back like q receding wave again By
Baird and Brannan.
There were, however, many more Confed'
crates than one brigade across on the west
bank of the Cnickanlausa in the vicinity Of
the Reeds bridge road. Gen. Baird, after
driving back Ector and Wilson, paused
briefly to rearranse his line At this mo-
inent Liideii's whole Confederate division,
2.eo3 strong, struck him.
TIE Union troops recedad again, "as a
wave beaten back from tae shore" When
the Union wave receded, it left stranded on
the place where it had Secn LOOMS battery
and Bush's Indiana battery. These were
quickly taken possession OF by the victorious
columns of LiddelL
Baird's broken lines were melting away in
confusion Liddeil's Confederates fastened
jubilaneiy after them, when suddenly the
pursue,s found themselves confronted by a
long, grim wall of blue and steel
Baird had managed to reform his division
or the right In addition, one Of McCook' S
divisions from Crawfish Spring had arrived
in the nick of time.
Only for this arrival it would have been
hard for Thomas to save his left on the fore
noon of Sept. 10. Gen Eosecrans himself
anprehensive for Thomas, had ordered Nc
Cook to send johnson to his assistance Ike
distance was Eve miles, and johnson arrived
only just in time.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29
a REPUBLICAN FARMER ON THE
TARIFF.

Thave been a farmer all my life. have
voted the Republican ticket since le6U,
and have always been in sy mpathy with
the party policy and platform until now.
of late the conviction has forced itself
upon me that the war tariff lisa very
great injury to the farming class. and
know that many other farmers who
have been studying the question feel
the same az do upon the subject. My
reasons for this change OF opinion are
briefly these:
~ have small flock of sheep. and
If the tariff were entirely taken from
wool ii would make few dollars differ
ence with myself and the majnrity of
farmers, even admitting all that il claim
ed by protectiunists. On the other hand.
il ia claimed, and it seems to me with
good grounds, that removal of the
tariff from wool would not effect our
ool-growera, for thew simple rea-
ann that the imported wool is OF II diff
ferent unality, and it ia desirable TO mix
tir two in the process of manufacture.
(2) Az to the tariff on wheat, it liz of
NO benefit to the farmer or any one else,
for the reason that we produce millions
of bushels more every year than this
cnnntry can e.assr.re. No wheat is i'm
pDrted. but we export large quantities
to England, where we must sell at free
trade prices, and it we wish to exchange
II for clothing, we must pay the tax I"
get into the United States. And so 1t is
with all else the farmer Produces. he
must sell under free trade. but to buy
mnst pay ruinous war tax.
(3l Coal, sugar. rice, salt. farm ma
chinery, nails. hardware. drugs aud oils,
and oil kinds of woolen aud cotton
goods. all of which the farmer mus,
have, cnst him from 20 I" 6o per cent.
more on account of the war tariff. Is it
any wonder that some of liz farmers are
getting restless under this burden OF
taxation 2 Already our party is in dam
ger of losing some of the Western States
because of revolt Among the farmers
against it's extreme tariff policy. The
strength of the Republican party
has always been among the farmers
aud ii cannot afford To ignore their IN.
terests az its present leaders are doing.
Yours. y. ii.
Dansville IN. Y Express.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29

The center corps Of the Union army
changed position for the time Gen. Thomas
late in the afternoon and during tile night
of Sept 10 marched his corps, except Neg
ley's division, to the north to protect the
road to Rossville. Negley's division was lett
behind to guard the ford of the ChickamauSa'
near Crawfsh spring. =,
Gen. Thomas and his soldiers marched all
night long. The road from Chlckamauga
creek to Rossviile cut the uorthwaTd road,
over which Gen. Thomas marched. ut Kelly s
farm, hence to become historic.
At Kelly's farm Gen. Thomas weary d.
visions halted Thomas posted Bairds dl.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29

recting Hill TO begin the attack. a messen.
ger had been sent to Hill in the night with an
order to attack at daylight, but it failed to
reach him.
Hill was forming his line when, at 8
o'clock, Gen. Bragg rode up to him and de-
manded why be had not made the attack at
dawn as commanded. Hill replied that be
had not heard anything about it. Bragg
said angrily: ~ found Polk after sunrise
sitting down reading a newspaper at Alex.
snder's bridge. two miles from the line OF
battle. when he ought to have been fighting"
This is denied by Folks son.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29

cross the Clickamauga and advance towards
Chattanooga The roads at which Bard and
Brannan were posted both led into that Ross
vile road which was the key to the situation.
Cen Gordon Changers command was
posted as a reserve at Rossville. On the
evening of Sept. Is Col. Dan McCouS, of
Grangers command, made reconnaissance
eastward to the Chiciamauga. and burned
Reeds bridge across that stream. tie 70
ported to Gen. Thomas that one Confederate
brigade was already across Chickaniauga on
tie west side. AS McCook had burned the
bridge nearest them, it would be possible by
an immediate attack to capture the whole
brigade. Accordingly, with the early dawn
of Sept 10, Gen. Brannam moved forward
with two brigades and attacked the Confe't
crate force that McCook had reported.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29
THE UNION FIGHT.

Seeing in the beginning that be would be
hard nressetl, Thomas had sent to fosecraEs
asking urgently for re-erfcrcements, Roe
,,.o,,s SAINT answer back TO Thomas that he
Should be supported if it took array the whole
,,,.,,s os Nc(,ook and Crit1enden. Negeys
division YVES already Oh the way to Thomas
AVID Van cleve's was started at once.
Poseerans ordered Gen ', God to "close up
r, - l.. .,,.i cnnnnr. him " meaning that
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29

ShN' q" - nav > " was to he In lire on
the right of Thomas, his own right covering
headquarters at Widow Glenn's house Crit
teuien was ordered to have two divisions in
reserve jus, back Of the junction OF McCock
Ind Thomas, so as to support either in case
of need.
Immediately after dark the order was
given for the Union troops to 60 into posi-
ton. The divisions were formed in line just
as they came, without reference to the corps
K. which they belonged.
Longstreet reached Bragg from the east
at II p III. Hoods division of his corps had
arrived before and had taken part in the
battle that day. That night Bragg, in mill
tary parance, changed his organization
in face of the enemy" az commanders
are warned not to do. Bragg divided his
army into two wings, the right under Polk,
the left under Longstreet. To Polk were
assigned the forces of Hill, Wal err and
Cheatham, with Forests cavalry. With
Longstreet were to be the commands of
Buckner. Hood and Hindman, and Wheeier's
cavalry.
Longstreet and Polk were with Bragg on
the night of the 18th. lie gave to them his
wing commanders orders to attack the
Union lines at daylight But D. II. Hill
says that no proper preparation was made for
suck m attack The trooDS were not
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29

CleoUi:le'H DIVISION
to the extreme Confederate right to oppose
Thomas Cleburue had six miles to traverse,
over g road c!loiied with army baggage. 1t
was sunset when he gained the place to
which &c had been assigned. Here he at
tackled Brannan's division SO vigorously that
he captured ) guns, flags and 800 prisoners
At the time of Cleburne's attack with the
fresh division from Hills corps Gen. Thomas
was in the act OF reforming his divisions to
give them better position for the battle OF
the morrow, which he saw to lie inevitable.
Bairts division was placed on the extreme
left, Johnson next to Baird and Palmer next
to Johnson on the right. To tho right of
Palmer vas tie division of Gen. Joseph J.
REYNOLDS. There were two Gen. Reynolds
in tire army of the north during the war
Bril-. Gen. John r. was killed at Gettysburg
July |, 1858 Brig Gen. Joseph j., of the
Army OF the Cumberland, was division
commander at the battle of Chickamauga.)
In Gen. Thomas new arrangement OF his
division Branian was assigned as reserve
to the rear and right of Reynolds division.
Gen. Cheatham was on the Confederate Gle
blrne's left in the fresh attack on Thomas
late in The afternoon. The fighting on the
left of the attacking column. Cneathan' S
d vision, was desperate for time during
this attack brave and popular Coaiede:'
ate officer, Brig Gen. Preston Smith, was
killed.
Atone tine during the afternoon a portion
of Bragg's army actually crossed the itoss-
vile road and obtained possession of it
Gen. Van Cleve held the center of the Union
force engaged in tne light Of the n,orlin5
after At ; O'CLOCK Van Cleve's ranks were
broken by the terrible Confederate fire, and
fell back pell Ilel Cen w B. Hazen 3
brigade lay along the Rossville road.
NOW Van Cleve is in for it," exclaimed
Hazea He sprang upon his horse and
quickly formed his regiments in tho
rear of Van Ceve to support his s.agger-
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29

tho relief 30 come to take his place in the
line Tic commander-in-chief himself dis
patched Negley then at once.
cut long ere this the bait had begun.
During the night of Sept. ~ Gen. Thomas,
always mindful Of the safety Of his troops,
had ordered rude breastworks thrown up in
front OF his line. Some were breast high,
aud behind them lay the four divisions who
were to. bear the brunt OF that days battle
They were Baird's, Johnson's. Palmer's and
Reynolds. Because of these very breast
works the attack on the right of Thomas
divisions was unsuccessful. But to his left,
where Baird was, his line did not extend to
Reeds bridge. Baird apprised him of this
on the night OF the 18th, and Thomas at
once asked that Negley be sent to him to
secure his left dank from assault. The order
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29

eades making the
attack were those Of Adams and Stovall
Beatty was in the rear Of Balri's division.
1t seemed possible that Adams and Stovali
might succeed i'll tlanking the Union left.
But at the very moment when the Union line
was thrown into cont usion, order was restored
through the 'roic act of Federal colonel.
He suatched his regimentaI flag from the
color bearer, waved it aloft and headed MS
horse directly toward the advancing Con
federates. Instantly his own men rallied
around him.
Thus was formed a nucleus, where sue
cessful stand against the Confsderates was
made. Then came re-entorcements from
Neslev. and the Confederate tide was stayed.
TIE two hrigadeS were beaten back. Adams,
the leader Of one. was wounded aud captured.
AS Adams aud Stoyall attacked Beatty and
threw him into colfuSion the Confederate
generals Helm and Cieburne advanced
against Balrd's front and attacked heavily
But In front of Baird began the iOr breast
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29
Louisiana state Fair

And Shreveport Eyposition4 third annual State
Fair) takes place at Shreveport, Lii November
5ll 10 10th inclusive s25,0O0 in premiums and
purses will be awarded. Liberal premiums for
parish exhibits. The only fnily equipped fair
each day. Some of the fine st race horses i'll the
United States have already been entered For
premiums lists and general information ad-
dress NJ. L. SCOyELI.
Shreveport, La. Secretary.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29

Vii ~
he should ta-:e 20
sieion on the right
of that officer 3
division. A MS
understanding OF
this order caused
the mistake which
was the unt,oing OF
the Union force Oh
the right. The first
part of the order
given to " God
p,aout that lie
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29

faces. Gen. Helms brigade Almost cut
to pieces. Cen Helm himself was shot and
fell dead among his men. The officer next in
command withdrew the, brigade.
On the left of Palmers division Johnson's
men continued fire Palmer had begun.
On the right Gen. Reynolds took it up.
load and fire at will' was the order passed
right and left along the Union liue.
Under this whitening fire the Confederates
wayered then stopned Then they fell slowly
they came.
The Elen who fought in the Union army
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29

was given to McCoolz and Crittendeo, but
obeyed in the tardy manner described The
battle began at $50 a. m, and Negley did
not reach Thomas for an hour after that.
The Confederate a tack began as Rose
Grams had expected, on the left Breckin-
ridges division advanced on the Confeder-
ate right, with Cleburnes division to the
left of Breckenridge. These belonged to D.
Fl Hills corps.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29
ON THE UNION LEFT.

The heavy battle of the day began about
9:30. Breckenridge and Cleburre made q
tremendous assault on the Union left. Neg
ley had only just arrived there Beatty:
brigade of his division was struck heavily by
Breckenridge aid driven back There were
no breastworks in front of the Union lns
here.
With Baird's division of the Union line
began the breastworlss. On the fight of Baird
was Johusoa's division of McGooa's CORPS
To the right of Johnson was len John L.
Palmers division of Crltten'len's corps.
Breckenridge had suggested to his COM
nander, D. H. Hill, the attack on the ex-
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29

passed. The battle
the next day must
be for the safety OF
the army ard the
possession of Chat
tanoosa," said Ro,
secrans. On the I'm
ion side Rosccrans
gave his orders for
Sept. 20. Thomas
was to continue his
line just as the fail
ing darkness found
it, forming the left
Of the army. Chat
tanooga was to the
left If Thomas. Nc.
Cooks command
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-09-29

works. They were
continued along the
Union inc towards
tie right, i'll front
OF Johnson. Palmer
and Eeyunl,is. The
Union trnu'>S he
hind their ,,c'eHses
calmly watched the
oliconling Coafed
crates. When the
southern soldiers
were within range
a terrific fire from
Palsuer's division
was S u d d g Il ! V