The state chronicle., 1893-05-11
CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE.)


fire a gun or move an inch, acting
upon his own best Judgment, with
out an order, brought with due for
mality through ell Of the regular
channels. The Virginia Brigadier
struck his blows where opportunity
offered and reported to his superior
that he was striking. The Western
Brigadier lost his opportunity to
strike, waiting fer permission to do
so. Still behind Walker stood
Frank Cheatham with his splendid
division, like their leader, chafing !
under restraint
Such were the dispositions in
Hills resr when the impetuous
charge of Breckenridge two right
brigades broke the left OF Thomas
and crossed the fateful road. With
1000 infantry and battery OF ar
tillery, Breckenridge swung his
line around at right angle to that
of the enemy, and started to sweep
down upon their flank; but the left
of Breckenridge's had encountered
au earthwork, as had Cleburne's
whole line, and their western foe
standing firm, one Or two brigades
gave way. Another advancing line
to fill the gap and the day would be
won before noon, the enemy driven
across the Tennessee river or cap
tured before night. In vain might
Hill plead or Walker swear when
no orders cane and no chief could
be found to give them. Chafed and
disappointed the grand Kentuckisn
found himself, for want Of support,
at last exposed to destruction or
capture, and slowly and stub
bornly both he and Cleburne fell
back and reformed, but much nearer
to the enemy, the line from which
they advanced. Scarcely hsd the
dscmated forces Of Hill reformed,
when al zoo late Walker went for
ward with another single line to be
hurled back by the fresh troops
that the enemy, was rapidly massing
on his LETT TO inset the design now
developed by our i'll managed move
Z ment. Cheatham meanwhile, was
not allowed to bulge an inch or
fire gun. Thus was the plan frus
) trated and the attacking force
driven back and cut to pieces in de-
tail for want Of a present, active
moving head 30 strike with the two
arms of the right wing at one time.
TIE fierce onslaught Of Hill failed
as did the no less ina petuous charge
of Walker, because 80 chain is no
stronger than its most defective
link, 80 a;ngle advancing line Is
no stouter than its weakest point
The splendid conduct of our
troops On our right and the dread
!, inspired BY breckenbridge}s bold
charga Of tne morning bore fruit,
however, In 4 way entirely unexpec-
. ted, Hhea i6 led the enemy to mass
:, 50 much Of his force behind Thomas
+; This was tie occupation Of the
enemy, while Hill and Forest were
: riding up aud down in front Of oul
q line and drawing the fire Of the eu-
6 envy upon tie young troop, wh&
;. followed at their heels, and wher
there was temporary lull in front
y Of Longstreet on the left and left
n center.
At last the thunder of artiller,
- and the roar OF musketry sgais
q burst upon US from along the whole
Il front Of the Virginia Lieutenant
Is while Hill in vain sent message
= after message to beg that three
|, lines be formed, and genera
It advance ordered on the right aE
1t we'll as on tue left. Just befor.
.e night Gen. Polk permitted Fill t.
l. take charge OF the forward move
,e ment of the three lines, Walker il
O. front, his own corps composin,
" the second and Cheatham th
.s third. TIE advance of our ST
n. tacking COLUMN on tie lei
~ before steady, now became impetu
O. GUS, and, with momentary wavel
O. ing Of single brigade on the righ
we rushed over the breastworks {
Thomas and csught 5000 prisone,
in the angle, where Longstreet an
IN Hill met, as they had On many hare
IL fought fields before, to discuss tt
ss events of that day and prepare, 6
I'D they had hoped for, a still MOI
be eventful one that was to folio,
I'd But short time had elapsed whe
ee they were joined by Forest, imp
ry tient for orders to pursue the fyin
at foe. When some hours had bee
06 passed in the vain effort to lea,
'es where the headquarters OF she cor
g: handing general were locate
IS; Longstreet and Hill agreed to
y: vide the responsibility Of orderin
ls- the immediate pursuit with al a
81; surance that they would ask Il
'se privilege of puahing forward to b
IS support at early dawn Unable /
ne. the most diligent inquiry to ops
IN communication with Bragg till Il
he next afternoon, they failed to 6
X cure for Forest the infantry suppo
nd that would have swept the sing
in division Of Thomas out Of the &,
Pc on Missionary Ridge or have flank,
es- and captured it without anoth
IL oostr uction in the road to Chatt
ng nooga and on to Nashville. Su
i've might have been the fruits of O
ow, victory. which being lost by dels