davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

was the Forty-frst Ohio, Col. Aquila Wiley
AS he saw the flying men from Van Cleves
broken ranks pouring in a wave upon him,
Col. Wiley quickly parted his regiment by
companies. The fugitives passed through
the gap and Wiley quickly closed up his line
again.
As the Confederates advanced on the run
in pursuit, they were met by volley from
the Forty-first Ohio that staggered
them and stopped them for brief
space. Hastily reloading. Wiley was
able to deal them another blow. He
did this by quickly changing front
and firing after the Confederates as they
passed his right. Then loading once more as
quickly, the skillful commander turned his
mon again to the front at a double quick, and
dealt a volley anew to the fresh masses of
Confederates. By this means he checked the
Confederates till he could move to the rear
and form new line
At this time the Confederates were actually
in possession Of the road to Chattanooga,
They were the forces of Hood and Bushrod
johnson. Eut while they were Fastening on
victorious across the road to Chattanooga,
Hazen dashed down the road and brought
into position some unoccupied batteries
there. With these he 0niiladed the Confed-
crates az they bore onward over the ground
which Van Cleve's division had yielded.
Capt Kimberley writes of the situation at
this moment, the close OF Sept. 10; Bragg
had actually crossed the Rossyille road and
cut the Army Of the Cumberland in two,
with nothing in the gap but one regiment Of
800 men,"
But Hazens batteries and that one regi-
ment kept the ConfederAtes back until Neg
ley's division came to the rescue, when the
Confederates were In turn driven. Then
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

attack were those of Adams and Stovall.
Beatty was in the rear of Bairds division.
1t seemed possible that Adams and Stovall
might succeed in Ranking the Union left
But at the very moment when the Union line
was thrown into confusion order was restored
through the heroic act of a Federal colonel
He snatched his regimental flag from the
color bearer, waved it aloft and headed his
horse directly toward the advancing Con-
federates Instantly his own men rallied
around him.
Thus was formed a nucleus, where a Sue
cessful stand against the Confederates was
made. Then came re-enforcements from
Negley, and the Confederate tide was stayed
The two brigades were beaten back. Adams,
the leader of one was wounded and captured.
As Adams and Stovall attacked Beatty and
threw him into confusion the Confed crate
generals Helm and Cleburne advanced
against Bards front and attacked heavily
But in front of Baird began the log breast
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21
CHICKAMAUGA.
One of the BlO0diest Battles of
the Civil War.
SEPTEMBER 10 AND 90, 1868.
The Armies of Bragg and ROsecrans
Meet at Last.

The Story Told n Quarter of "a Century
Later-After Three Months of Retreat
ing Bragg Makes Stand and Fights.
Re-enforccd from Lee, at Richmond, and
Johnston, in Mississippi, He Wins =
Victory-A Fatal Gap in the Union
Line-Gen. Thomas, the Rock of Chick
amauga-Garfie1d's Ride.
The battle of Chickamauga took place
Sept. 10 and 20, 1868, with a preliminary
fight Sept. Is. The heaviest fighting was on
the Goth, and on Sunday.
The engagement of Wildcr's mounted in
fantry at Leet's lanyard, Sept -, was the
premonitory signal Of the battle. 1t occur
red near Lee g Gordon's mill, while Critten-
den, in obedience to Rosecrans' order, was
concentrating his corrs
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

ings We're all north
of Lee g. Gordon's
mill, about which,
on the west bank
of Chickamauga,
the greater portion
of t he U IL ion
army was grouped.
D. II. Hill had the
extreme left of the
Confederate line rs
it faced westward,
and Hood the ex-
IRENE right. Hoods
Il rtrtatN u.an tlA
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

Confcderates took advantage Of this fatal
gap in the line.
Longstrcet 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. Tho corps of Critton-
den and McCook were struck in dunk. They
were driven from the field.
The Union line of battle that had stood so
bravely from north TO south in the morning
was bent back. All south of the divisions Of
Baird and johnson were rolled backward till
they extended from east TO west, almost at
right angles to the position they hold in the
morning
Through the gap swept the Confederate
forces of Stewart, Hood, Rcnshaw, johnson
and Hindman. Preston followed rs sup
port. They poured through the breach like
waters over n broken levee
South of the break McCook was left with
only portion of Sheridan's ard Davis divi-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

works. They were
continued along the
Union line towards
the right, in front
Of johnson, Palmer
and Reynolds. The
Union troops be-
hind their defenses
calmly watched the
onconing Confed
crates. hen the
southern soldiers
We're within range
a terrific fire from
Palmer's division
was s u d d g II | Y
Dourpl into their
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

tics for the Con
federates to attack
the thinned Union
forces left at Lee
g. Gordon's mill.
But that was no
part of Bragg's
plan.
Bra e himself
was at Tedford's
ford, b G t W G e IL
Alexander's bridge
and Lee & Cor
don's mill. At 8
o'clock he ordered
d. ii. Hill to send
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

aligned, a nd h @
himself d id II o t
hear that he had
b e assign e d t o
Polk TIL after mid
night. Gen. Polk
sent him the word,
n II d told him to
come to Alexan-
de 5 bridge.
Hill moved hi S
troops forw war d.
At 7;;25 a. m. they
We're eating their
breakfast. At this
time an order came
from Gen. Polk di.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21
Battle OE SEPT. 10.

This attack of Gen. Thomas at early morn
ing, Sept. 10, was the opening of the battle
of Chickamauga. But it was not the opening
Bragg had anticipated.
Sept. IS Bragg gave his orders to his gen
erals for next day. His troops were to cross
the Chickamauga atthree different points,
from Reeds bridge on the north, next by
Alexanders bridge south, and third by Ted
ford's ford. still further south These cross.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

faces. Gen. Helms brigade wqs almost cut
to pieces. Gen. Helm himself was shot and
fell dead among his men. The officer next in
command withdrew the brigade.
On the left of Palmer's division Johnsons
men continued the fire Palmer had begun.
On the right Gen. Reynolds took it up.
load and fire Mt WHIP was the order passed
right and left along the Union line.
Under this whitening fire the Confederates
wavered then stopped. Then they fell slowly
back into the shelter of the woods whence
they came.
The mon who FOUGHT in the Union armY
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

was given to McCocf and Crittenden, 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 attack began as Rose
Grams had expected, on the left. Breckin-
ridges division advanced on the Confeder-
ate right, with Cleburne's division to the
left of Breckenridge. These belonged to d.
III. Hills CORPS
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

line of baltic more comp act on tae right of
Reynolds. The second part meant that he
should move to tho rear of Reynolds The
order was written by one of RosecraAs aides
who was not military man.
Gen. Wood interpreted the secoad part Of
Rosecrans' order technically and obeyed it.
He moved towards the rear OF Braunan's
division, who Was next ON tho risht OF Rey-
polds.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21
AFTER DARK,

Both sides spent the night of Sept 10 pre-
pairing for next days battle, Rosecrans,
anxious and weary, assembled his corps COM
manders at his headquarters at Widow
Glenn's house, All of his army except two
brigades had been in action That day An
other days fighting was before them that
promised to be still hotter than the one just
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21
CRITTENDEN.
THE UNION RIGHT.

Seeing in the beginning that he would be
hard pressed, Thomas had sent to Rosecrans
asking urgently for re-enforcements Rose
Grams sent answer back to Thomas that he
should DO supported if it took away the whole
corps of McCook and Crittenden- Negley's
division was already on the way to Thomas,
and Van Cleve's was started at once
Rosecrans ordered Gen. Wood to "close up
on REYNOLDS and support him. meaning that
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

question now in the
mind of the COM
mander in chief.
Rosecrans was cut
Off entirely from
his left by the sea
Of men in gray that
surg e d between.
He did not know
whether T h o III u ;
still held his ground
or whether he, too,
had not been over
whellned. At this
time Gen. James
A. Garfield, Rose
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

he should take po-
sition on the right
of tn at officers
division. A mis-
understanding of
this order caused
the mistake which
was the undoing of
the Union force on
the right, The first
part Of the order
given to w bod
IN cant that he
shoull make his
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

passed. ~ he battle
tho next day must
be for the safety of
the army aud the
possession of Chat
tanooga,' said Ro-
secrans. On the I'm
ion side Rosecrans
gave his orders for
Sept. 90. Thomas
was to continue his
line just as the fall
ing darkness found
Informing the left
of the army. Chat
tanooga was to the
left Of Thomas. Nc
Cooks command
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21
rams repeated the orders peremptor-

lily to Negley. Crit
tenden's corps be-
ing nearest he now
ordered that to fill
the space left by
Negley. Once more
he told McCook to
k ep closed up
toward the left at
all hazard. Again
tho anxious chief
rode over to Neg
ley's corps, only to
find that Negley
had stlllnot moved.
He was waiting for
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21
hero of ChickamauA,

on learning OF the
disaster to t h Q
right, h Silly
placed the troops
with him in a posi-
ton Of his own Sc
lection. 1t wa 8
upon a curving
range of hills called
Horseshoe ridge.
He placed himself
with his b a c K
against a rock,
an a stood n Q
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21
o fought in the Union army

the goth of Septem-
Der suffered tortur-
ing thirst, Bragg's
army had crossed
to the west bank
Of the Chicka-
manga. They had
got possession Of
the springs which
supplied the Union
, troops the day be-
I fore. They lay in
wait for the squads
Of Union men who
were sent for water
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

Woods division Of
Crittenden's corps
was left alone at
Lee & G or d o MS
mills on the west
bank of Ch i C k a
manga, Sept. IS
the three corps Of
Rosecrans' arm y
were once more in
support n g d j s:
lance of ono an
other. Bragg was
receiving heavy re-
endorsements from
Lees army at Rich
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

SONS. IiO ordered
these to quickly
change front and
attack the Confed-
crates. T Ia e y
obey ed. Anon &
them was the brig.
ade Of the gallant
and lancnted Gen.
William II. Lytle
of Cincinnati. The
old!cr-poet oboyed
his commanders
order, and rode to
his death on tho
field OF Chicka-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

and captured them A writer says:
"Details Of men were sent for water and
never returned. There was not a drop of
water on the whole field, and men and Off
GERS resigned themselves to the torments of
thirst"
The diagram below shows the relative po-
sitons Of the Union and Confederate armies
on the morning of Sept 20:
THOMAS. POLK.
CRITTENDEN.
M'CoOK LoNGsTEET.
Thus arranged, the Union army faced east
ward, the Confederates westward. OF to
the east of both armies Chickamauga creek
flowed on its way northward.
The Union divisions stretched in long,
irregular line between Thomas and McCook.
Up to II o'clock all went well for the Fed
eral cause. Thomas divisions had stood
their ground. They had borne the brunt Of
battle Ind sustained themselves
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

ing lines. But the
weight of a flying
division was too
much for one brig
ade to hold itself
steady under. Ha-
zen's brigade was
also borne down.
On came the tri-
!, umphant masses Of
.Confederates, till
{the earth and air
seemed dusky with
them. One regi-
ment alone of Ha-
zen's brigade stood
its ground. That
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21
THE FATAL GAP.

Wood had dropped ont OF the Union line
This left gap. Bushrod johnson, OF Long
streets command. saw the vacant space, and
pointed it out to his general. Instantly the
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21
GARFlELO'S FAMOUS RIDE.

The brave chief of staff left the COM
mander in chief at Rossville, and rode
around distance of many miles, threading
his way through bullets and gathering foes
till he reached the Union left, and found 1t
stood firm. -'~'
Gen. Thomas, the hero Of Chickamau4,,
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-21

A. TarfeId, KOse- THE KOUh OF CHICI'A-
Grams chief of staff MAUGA'
made the journey on horseback. that has be-
come historic,
Milford chronicle., 1888-08-10
LFoRD, DEL, FRIDAY. AUGUST 10, 1888.
in their path. She was strong, both mentally

in their path. She was strong, both mentally
and physically.
After the failure OF the railroad the Sheri.
dan family removed to the old homestead,
and remained there until 1856 when they
built the house in which old Mrs. Sheridan
now resides, Gen. Sheridan having bought
eighteen acres Of land and furnished his
parents the means with which to erect the
building.
Somerset was the county seat in 1878, and
the population for forty years past has not
varied far from / 500. The old residents add
some interesting stories to those above re-
lated. They say that though the family was
poor and Phirs school days few, he was al
ways somewhat OF leader among the boys.
lie was not only trustworthy and clear
headed but it was noted that he was unusu-
ally persevering and not afraid Of hard
tasks; so Mr.. Talbot, a small dealer in hard
ware, employed him as clerk and urged him
to study hist ry and mathematics, in which
he madc rapid progress He also clerked a
short time for Mr.. Henry Detton. And
while in that line a strange and ambi-
tious idea entered the boys head. Without
consulting any one, without an indorser or
testimonial, the l7-year-old boy wrote to
Gen. Thomas Ritchey, representing that dis
trict, and asked for the appointment as cadet
at West Point. It was in the year 1873. Irish
Milford chronicle., 1888-08-10
THE SHERIDAN FAMILY.

The Sher dan family consisted Of John
Sheridan, ather Of the general, who died
Thusday, 1aay 8, 1875, in the 10th year of his
age; Mary Miner Sheridan, his mother, who
is still livii--7 in the suburbs Of Somerset, and
who is IS sears of ago; Patrick H. Sheridan,
who was corn April 10, 1927, and died Oct.
z, 1851, - was buried at Somerset;
Patrick Sheridan and sister who died on
tho way TO this country, who were born in
Ireland; I..ilip H. Sheridan who was born
March g. 1881; his sister Mary, who was born
June 4, 1884; John L. Sheridan, who was
born A ,ril ?, 1887, ard Col Al V. Sheridan,
who was born in 1S4o
In lS1 they moved from the house then
occupied to house one mile from town,
where Gen. Sheridan's father had I
I contract ON the old Seioto and Hook
ing Valley railroad The contrac
proved improbable, as the road, aftel
about two years, was abandoned, anC
the contractors lost all they had pu
] into it. This, however, seemed t
be the old geutleman's misfortune in life, a
he Jared hut little if any better as contrac
tor on the GAINESVILLE and Maysville turn
pike, which was built through Somerset
Mrs. Sheridan, who is a woman Of indie
/ fatigable energy, was ever ready to cheei
her husband and lend every assistance Tn
financial reverses did not discourage iher II
the least, but seemed to increase her deter
minasfon 70 overcome tha obstacles, throw
Milford chronicle., 1888-08-10
cAvALRY cOMNiANnER.


When Grant was called to the east in the
spring of 1884 it brought great change for
Sheridan. Grant has thus described the cir
.cunstances Of the appointment Of Sheridan
10 the command Of the cavalry forces Of the
Army Of the Potomac:
'In one of my early interviews with the
president expressed my dissatisfaction with
the little that had been accomplished by the
cavalry 80 far in the war, and tho belief
chat 1t was capai le Of accomplishing much
more II under a thorough leader. | said
wanted the very best man in the army for
that command Halleck was present and
spoke up. saying, How would Sheridan dor
l replied, The very man / want The presi-
dent said l could have anybody l wanted.
Sheridan was telegraphed for that day, and
on his arrival was assigned 70 the command
OF the calvary corps with the Army Of the
Potomac
Grants army crossed the Rapidan and be-
gan operations against Lee on May 4, 1894
On the 9th Sheridan started on a raid against
the enemy's lines Of communication with
Richmond He destroyed the depots and
other property at Beaver Dam and Ashland,
advanced 20 the outer works Of Richmond
defeated the Confederate cavalry under Gen
Stuart and rejoined Grants army on May
p. He led another expedition on June
against the Virginia Central railroad After
routing the enemys cavalry at Trevilian
Station and destroying part Of the railroad
be returned to the White House on the 18th
In August tho middle military divislonn
was constituted and intended 70 oppose the in
cursions OF the rebels from the Shenandoah
valley into Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Sheridan was appointed TO the command.
He attacked the Confederate general Early
on the 10th Of September near Winchester;
defeated him and took several thousand pris-
Oners. Six days later he was again victori-
Gus at Fishers Hill, and pursued the enemy,
driving him through Harrisonburg and
Staunton.
Immediately after tho battle Of WiRoAes-
ter Sheridan was made q brigadier general
in the regular army. While he was absent
FROM his command Easily suddenly dttaeked
the Union army at Cedar Greek and Stras-
burg on the 10th Of October and succeeded
in driving the Federals about three miles
with much loss. Il was upon this occasion
that Sheridan made his famous ride. Hur-
rying toward the battlefield he rgilied his
men with remarkable power Of inspiration
and converted disaster into victory. This
achievement stamped him as one Of the
ablest generals Of tho war He was ap-
pointed major general Of the regular army
In place OF Mcclellan, who had resigned.
Poetry, romance and the drama have so
idealized the events of that autumn that one
hesitates at detail; but even the proslest dc
tails, by eye witnesses, are thrilling. Here
is tho plain statement Of a scout the first to
meet Sheridan after his noted ri1e:"
Milford chronicle., 1888-08-10
arE. Pill SHERIDAN.

Phil Sheridau's boyhood was one Of rude
freedom, plenty of plain food and not littlo
adventure; but it was certainly not One of
culture or luxury, for his parents were the
plainest Of plain Irish workers, who had
come to America without means and "held
their own well.n Indeed the father re-
mained a working man almost to the close Of
his life, and the mother, who still lives, is of
the most muscular Irish stock; but they were
persons of high character and some influence,
as was shown at the time their son applied
for u cadetship at West Point Little Phil
was decidedly ''toughn--in both the mean
'ings of the word in the west. He was, so
his mother and early companions say, ex-
tremely tough in fiber, 'as healthy as pine
knott It is not probable that he ever cost
his parents S. in medicine. But he was also
a trife ''toughn in the slang meaning of the
word, a fighter and prone to mischievous
pranks.
Few can recall any foreshadowing Of
future greatness in his boyish actions. He
was simply a merry, healthy boy, fond Of
activity aud quick Of apprehension. An old
resident who had known him from infancy,
when appealed to for some reminisoenoe that
would show the future man in the boy, pom
dered long while and finally said; "Well,
nc was mighty loNl ol horses, anu uoJ dAAAlu
of the widest And there is philosophy in
the remark, for the saddle is the true seat Of
empire; the equestrian nations are the con-
querors; riding is good training for ruling;
and did not Homer mean it for his highest
compliment when he called his hero ''horse
riding HectorN So the following story cur
rent about Sheridans boyhood has the cir of
truth.
When he was about years old some Older
boys persuaded him to mount horse in the
pasture without saddle or bride. The fright
ened animal dashed madly away, jumped
the fence and soon disappeared on the road,
thelittle fellow clinging to his name. Nor
did he stop till he reached the shed Of
tavern ten miles away, where he had often
been fed. The curious crowd at the tavern
asked the boy:
@Who taught you to rider
HNoho1y,n was the answer.
"Did nobody ever tell you how to sit on
horseP
so, yes, Bill Seymour told me to hold on
with my knees, and 1 did"
This was 'tLittle Philsn first cavalry
charge, and the comment Of the horsemen
who knew the vicious character Of the ami
NAL was, THAT boy has pluck enough for
an Indian fighter"
His time when not at school or engaged in
doing chores was largely devoted to the
Juvenile show business, where charge Of
from three to five pins constituted the admis-
sion fee.
Milford chronicle., 1888-08-10

Phil was invariably the ''slack rope per-
former" and If menagerie was attached he
performed the feat Of going into the ''lions
den," which was o large box with wooden
Stats nailed on the front side and generally
contained two or three dogs and a number OF
cats He also took great fancy to drilling
and had a company Of eighteen or twenty
of his plsymates His Old playmates
and the oder people generally say he
had mania for riding vicious horses, and,
although young and small fCs his age, no
never found % horse that he could not man
age Phil was known as q good dispositiOned,
manly boy, but was as wild as any Of them.
and stood ready to assert his boyhood at any
time with bare knuckles if necessary, though.
he was by no means quarrelsome. And this
disposition evidently stuck in him some time,
for while in West Point he was put back a
year for woipping a member Of higher.
class, and was thus five years in the course.
Still he gradt ated at -