The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-02-22
THE 18th Ky.
How 1t Behaved at Chickamauga-Some
Personal Experiences.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The estab-
lishment Of a National park on the field OF
Chickamauga and the formal opening to the
public TO be made some time during the
Fall of this wear naturally calls forth some
of the memories and experiences of those
who participated in that great and historic
battle. Much has been written on this sub
ject, yet the parts taken by different COM
mands snd personal experiences are yet to
be published.
The writer was First Lieutenant of Co. +,
18th KY, which belonged to Turchin's Bri-
gade, Reynolds's Division, Fourteenth Corps,
which division constituted the center of Gen.
Thomas's line during that battle, and whose
front never broke or wavered during the two
DAYS fighting. But il is not my object to
90 into the details of this battle, or the ac-
tions or position or courage displayed by
them OF any other troops.
Gen. Turcbin's Brigade made the last
charge on Sunday evening, and the fifth
and last charge across the Kelly field that
day for the recovery Of the Lafayette road
and possession of Rossville Gap, and sue
cessfully made the way and held the posi-
tion and opened the road to Chattanooga.
We had been fighting LoDgstreets Corps
nearly all day, had not changed our position
very much, and had repulsed every attack
made by him and others. The day was fast
ending and all were wishing for night, as
we had had enough fighting for one day.
There seemed to be lull in the heavy mus
kerry firing to our right, and the enemy's
firing was running more to our left. We
were in line-of-b battle in the woods south OF
the road and back of the Kelly House, wait
ing for orders, when Gen. Reynolds rode up
to Gen. Turchin and informed him that we
were almost surrounded, and that the only
way out was to charge across the open field
and clear the pike. / was standing near the
group and never forgot the remark of Gen.
Turchin, which was:
Well, by damn, we charged"
The orders were: Attention Fix bayo-
nets-Forward, le-quick-Charge!" and
off we started out of the woods and across
the open field The rebels heard our cheer
and opened on us with battery whose guns
were loaded with shrapnel and grapeshot,
and as we progressed many shot scattered
our line; but we closed up and on we went
about halfway across the field. Gen. Tur-
ehinis horse, struck by a shell, jumped in
the air and fell. The General, although
quite short, heavy-set man, landed on his
feet. At once drawing his sword, he en-
couraged our men with commands, For
ward Forward" and on we kept, our line
thinning as we moved on. There was no
chance to take care Of the wounded, and
they were left behind.
As we approached near enough to the
rebel line the infantry opened on Us, but did
not check our course. We struck WalthalPs
Brigade, of Liddell's Division, overturned
the battery, broke the line, and the road was
ours My regiment 1.-THE 18th Ky.) struck
h Il in nd
many prisoners. The fight was hand to
hand. 1t was my fortune to be close to its
Colonel, James l. Scales, and as a musket
was leveled at him he surrendered to me,
and thus saved his life. At this iuncture
Gen. Thomas and staff rode up. A staff
officer, whom I afterward found to have been
Capt. Kellogg, an Aid ordered me to take
the prisoners to point below Rossville Gap,
thence to Chattanooga, and turn them over
10 the Provost-Marshal. There was not a
moment to lose passing through this break
Of the rebel line. While our brigade held the
gap the rebel line reformed and captured all
Stragglers of the charge.
This was the last charge Of the fight.
Darkness put an end TO this terrible battle.
When / reached the Rossville road with Col.
Scales, other prisoners were being rapidly
brought in, perhaps, all told, 200. / gath
cred about % 10 80 men, partly from the 18th
end other regiments of our brigade who had
brought in prisoners, and started for Chatta-
noogs. The reader can imagine both pris-
eners and guards were much fatigued, and
kuch grumbling took place.
Not knowing at that time the distance to
Chattanooga, which was Is miles, on reach
ing q good camping spot 1 ordered halt,
with view of spending the night. We had
hardly rested half an hour when Col. Scales
and another Confederate officer, Captain of
the same regiment with Col. Scales, called
me aside and stated that the prisoners were
contemplating a revolt, much to his regret
and against his wishes, and advised for
ward movement with extra precaution.
My position was anything but pleasant /
wasayoung man, only % years Of age, without
much experience except regimentaI duties,
and therefore much perplexed; but necessity
makes masters. / passed to each guard, in
structed him to look after his ammunition,
have his musket loaded and ready to fire on
any man that made suspicious movement;
ordered the prisoners to fall in and form
ranks Of tours; had the guards cock mus
kets and be ready to fire. then ordered all
prisoners TO deliver any firearms or weapons
clubs OF sticks that they had, under penalty
Of being shot, and was surprised at what we
found; after which / ordered Forward
march" and proceeded to Chattanooga. Col
Scales and the Confederate Captain marched
with me In the lead, and one Of nv best Ser
geants, John w. Jenkins, in the rear; the
other guards well posted On each side.
1t was trying march, but we reached
Chattanooga a little before day and turned
over the prisoners to the proyost-guard. /
parted with Col. Scales after shaking hands
with him and thanking him for his assist
ance, and requested kindly treatment for
him at the hands of the guard. Serg't
Jenkins and i were worn out, and lying
down In a corner of a porch Of house on
the outskirts of the town were soon sound
asleep, not having rested or slept for three
nights, and constantly on our feet, with very
little to eat except few bareback, since
Saturday night. When we awoke it was
broad daylight. The night was cool, and our
sleep had had good effect. We Were rested :;
but there were two hungry soldiers without
ratlons or money. ] had not a cent in nv
pockets, but Jenkins TO my great Joy, had
20 cents, and with this treasure we proceeded
70 an clearinghouse, a sort of sutler shop, and
explained our situation, and asked breakfas
for two for % cents. The owner took in the
situation, and warmed up some canned tur-
Key and made coffee and gave us some bread
with IT. shall never forget that meal. 1t
was the best ever ate, before OF since. No
one can ever imagine how good things taste
10 hungry and famished men as we were on
that Monday morning, Sept. 81, 1863
After finishing our breakfa we gathered