davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

WIS W Ill liiie vi
l,eright OF Thomas, his own right covering
headquarters at Widow Glenn's house Crit
tenden was ordered to have two divisions in
reserve juss back Of the junction of McCook
and 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
tc which they belonged.
Longs;rect 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 parlance, changed his organization
in face of the enemy" as 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, Walker and
Cheatham, with Forests cavalry. With
Longstrcct were to be the commands of
Buckner, Hood and Hindman, and Whecler's
cavalry.
Longs.rcet and Polk were with Bragg on
the night of the 10Th. lie gave to them his
wing commanders orders to attack the
Union lines at daylight. But d. H. Hill
says that no proper preparation was made for
such an attack. The troops were not
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

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 tho relative po-
sitions of the Union and Confederate armies
ON the morning of Sept. 20:
THOMAS. POLK.
CRTrTENDEN.
McooK. LoNGsrEEf.
Thus arranged, the Union army faced east
ward, the Confederates westward. or to
the east of both armies Chickamauga creek
flowed on its way northward.
The Union divisions stretched in n 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 ,nd sustained themselves.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

to the extreme Confederate right to oppose
Thomas. Cleburne had six miles to traverse,
over a road choked with army baggage. 1t
was sunset when he gained the place to
which he 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 n better position for the battle of
the morrow, which he saw to be inevitable.
Baird's division was placed on the extreme
left, johnson next to Baird and Palmer next
to johnson OH the right. To the right of
Palmer was the division of Gen. Joseph J.
Reynolds. There were two Gen. Reynolds
in the army of the north during the war.
Brig. Gen. John F. was killed at Gettysburg
July l, 1863. Brig. Gen. Joseph j., of the
Army of the Cumberland, was a division
commander at the battle of Chickamauga.)
In Gen. Thomas new arrangement Of his
division Brannan was assigned as a reserve
to the rear and right of Reynolds division
Gen. Cheatham was on the Confederate Gle
burnes left in the fresh attack on Thomas
late in the afternoon. The fighting on the
left of the attacking column, Cheathams
division, was desperate for a time during
this attack. A brave and popular Confeder-
ate officer, Brig. Gen. Preston Smith, was
killed.
At one time during the afternoon portion
of Braggs army actually crossed the Ross
vile road and obtained possession Of it.
Gen Van Cleve held the center of the Union
force engaged i'll the fight of the morning
after. At ) o'clock Van Cleve's ranks werc
broken by the terrible Confederate fire, and
fell back pell nell. Gen. W. B. Hazen's
brigade lay along the Rossville road.
Snow Van Cleve is in for it," exclaimed
Hazen. He sprang upon his horse and
| quickly formed his regiments in the
| rear of Van Cleye to snnnnrt his sfaroer.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

ground for six hours against the repeated
assaults of the whole Confederate army.
Garfield reached Thomas, and was greeted
warmly. The glorious soldier told him he
had seven divisions and a number Of detach-
ments intact, and was confident he could still
hold his ground against any number OF as
saults. There were with him q, 600 troops.
Garfield hastily dispatched the good news to
the chief.
At Rossville Rosecrans had parted from
Garfield The aide went to find Thomas, tho
commander rode hastily to Chattanooga, to
prepare refuge for the remnants Of his
broken army, il the defeat was total, or to
forward ammunition and supplies il Thomas
was still intact.
McCook and Crittenden, escaping from the
wreck, soon after Joined him. While they
sat dejectedly together, a dispatch was
handed TO Rosccrans. It was the one Gar
field sent from the Union left. Rosecrans
read it hastily THANK God!" he exclaimed,
..thc day isn't lost yet" Gentlemen" he
said to McCook and Crittenden, ''ths is no
place for you. Go at once to your commands
at the front"
The dispatch infused new life into him.
He ordered Wagner to take his brigade, stop
| the flying stragglers from the front and re.
organize them. He at once sent supplies to
meet the army at Rossvillc.
Thomas fought till night, then withdrew
his army to Rossville. At tho most critical
period of the afternoon Gen. Gordon Gran
ger brought his reserve force on the field
from Rossvillc to tho aid Of Thomas and
saved the dag. His advance brigade was
led by Gen. J. 3. Steedman. Gen. Steed-
man took q regimental color in his own
hands and led n victorious charge against
| Longstrect and too, possession of a pcrilous
gap in the Union line. At dark the Confed-
crates gave up the fight and left the field.
Their last attack was repulsed with the
naked bayonet
| In his report Rosecrans makes especial
mention Of the galiantry Of the cavalry
under Ainty, Mitchell and Wilder
In the two days battle Of ChickamauSa
Rosecrans lost over Il, 600 men, Bragg II, 600.
The Union ermy was all gathered in Chat.
tanooga by Sept. y. The success Of Bragg
at Chickamauga is classed in war history q,
q "barren victory" -
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

gades making the
attacl, were those of Adams and Stovall
Beatty was in the rear of Baird's division.
1t seemed possible that Adams and Stovall
might succeed in fanking the Union left.
But at the very moment when the Union line
was thrown into confusion, order was restored
through the heroic act of 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
Ncgley, and the Confederate tide was stayed.
The two brigadcs were beaten back. Adams,
tic leader of one, was wounded and captured.
As Adams and Stovall attacked Beatty and
threw him into confusion the Confederate
generals Helm and Cleburne advanced
against Baird's front and attacked heavily.
But i'm front of Baird began the log breast
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

che relief to come to take his place in the
line. The comu,ander-in-chief himself dis
patched Ncgley then at once.
But long ere this the battle 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 lire. Some We're breast high,
and behind them lay the four divisions who
were TO bear the brunt Of that days battle.
They wcTo Bairi's. Johnson's. Palmers and
Reynolds. Because Of these very breast
works the attack on the right Of Thomas
divisions was unsuccessful But to his left.
where Daird was, his line did not extend to
Reed's bridge. Baird apprised him of ,his
on the night Of the 10Th, and Thomas at
once asket; that Nesley be sent to him to
secure his left 1ank from assault. Tie order
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21
CHICKAMAUGA.
One of the Bl0Odiest Battles OF
the Civil War.
SEPTEMBER 10 AND 20, 1863.
Tho Armies Of Bragg and Rosecrans
Meet at Last.

The Story Told . Quarter Of . Century
LAter-After Three Months Of Retreat
ing BraEg Makes . Stand and Fights.
Re-enSorced from Lee, ut Richmond, and
Johnston, in Mississippi, He Wins .
victory-A Fatal Gap in the Union
Llne-Gen. Thomas, the Rock Of Chick
amauga-Garfield's Ride.
The battle Of Chickamauga took place
Sept. 10 and co., 1863, with a preliminary
fight Sept. IL. The heaviest fighting was on
the Goth, and on Sunday.
} The engagement Of Wilder's mounted in.
fantry at Leet's lanyard, Sept. 13, was the
premonitory signal Of the battle. 1t occu4.
red near Lee e. Gordon's mill, while Critten.
den, in obedience to Rosecrans' order, was
concentrating his CORDS,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

faces. Gen. Helms brigade was 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 Johnson's
men continued the fire Palmer had begun.
On tho right Gen. Reynolds took it up.
LOAD and fire at will' was the order passed
right and left along the Union line.
Under this whitening fire the Confederates
wavcred, then stopped. Then they fell slowly
back into the shelter of tho woods whence
they came.
Tho u,cD who foncht In the Union arynv
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

,,,ord Th;s R,sacr.ns hac.r,o owor. n,
Sort ~ and b;s snY;etv w.s Greatly IN.
cra.sod
Once mora Braoc nrenar.d IN ..tack fbe
Irn;on army His Unconventional occun;ed
tow, S.,,t istoIT Hs nrdsra,I HE ,sneroIs
90 concant-at. .ioro tho cost hawks of The
Cb;ctomauca The Union army WINS bv
Sent "a concrntrated on the west side
The vital noint 10 both armies was now tina
rad from Iafavetts IN t,battanoooa This
ro.d n.ss.s ,hrouoh n Gan an NISSAN R;de.
ut Rossville. Whichever. therefore, could
secure this gan MT Rossyille was sure of Chat
tanooca. At this time there was Mt Chatta-
nooga only one brigade Of Union troops,
iwagner's, and ut Lee & Gordon's mills,
where the road to Chattanooga touches
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

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, Cen Bragg rode up to him and de-
manded why he had not made the attack at
dawn as commanded. Hill replied that he
had not heard anything about it. Bragg
said angrily: ~ found Polk after sunrise
sitting down reading newspaper ut Alex
anders bridge, two miles from the line Of
battle, wien he ought to have been fighting"
This is denied by Folks son.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21
ON THE UNION LEFT.

The heavy battle Of the day began about
Q.3O Breckenridge and Cleburne made a
tremendous assault on the Union left. Neg
ley had only just arrived there. Beatty'a
brigade of his division was struck heavily by
Breckinridse and driven back. There were
no breastworks in front of the Union line
here.
With Baird,s division Of the Union line
began the breastworks. On the right Of Baird
was Johnson's division Of McCook's corps.
To the right of johnson was Gen. John NJ.
Palmer's division of Crittendens corps
Breckenridge had suggested to his com
raandcr. ID. II. Hill, the attack on the ex.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

us
was the Forty-first Ohio, Col. Aquila Wiley
As le saw the flying men from Van Cleves
broken ranks pouring in n wave upon him,
Col. Wiley quickly parted his regiment by
companies. The fusitives 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 a volley from
the Forty-first Ohio that staggered
them and STOPPED them for a 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 skiliful commander turned his
men 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
Confeierates 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. But 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 enfiladed the Confcd-
crates as they bore onward ever the ground
which Van Cleves division had yielded
Capt, kimberley writes of the situation at
this moment. the close Of Sept 10: Bragg
had actually crossed the RossTilie road and
cut the Army of the Cumberland IN two.
with nothing il the gap but one regiment Of
500 men"
But Hazen's batteries ard that one regi-
rncnt kept the Confederates back until Neg
S,ys division came to the rescue, when the
Confederates were in turn driven. Then
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

The famous battle takes its name from .
creek or small river that flows north through
the valley between Mission Ridge and Pigeon
mountains, and empties into the Tennessee
four miles above Chattanooga.
With Bragg, Sept. 10, were four corps:
Those of Buckner, Polk, Walker and D. II.
Hill. d. II. Hill had been sent from Rich
mond to take command of Hardee's corps
BY the arrival of Longstreet from Lees
army Bragg had five corps.
In the fight Of Sept. 70, Confederate autho-
rites put the Union force at nearly 46, 900, and
the Confederate at 5000. Federal figures
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

VA Az
he should take po-
sition on the right
of that officers
division. a mis-
understanding Of
this order caused
the mistake which
was the undoinS OF
the Union force on
the right. The first
part of the order
given to W God
m c ant that he
sho,,ld make his
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21
nigh. and the close of the DAYS bats,e can

night and the close Of the days battle came
together.
Heroic and fhri1lin. incidents there were
at Chicka'nausa in plenty. Capt J. W..
Miller, now literary editor Of The Cincinnati
Commercial Gazette, has recently written o
"Reminiscences Of Sheridan in that days fight
''lSaw Sheridan lead one Of his briSades
uaibold's) under fire across cleared field
and place il exactly where he wanted it. He
came galloping back on his famous black
horse Il never saw him on any other, with hat
OF, sword flashing, and face glowing with
the magnificent passion Of the battlefield
He passed me, t:sen turned in his stirrups,
and said: We're driving them, d-m them.
In two or three minutes he came in view
again with another brigade
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

works. They were
continued along tho
Union lire towards
tie right, in front
of johnson. Palmer
and Reynolds. The
Union troops be-
hind their defenses
calmly watched the
onconiing Confed-
crates. When the
southern soldiers
were within range
q terrific fire from
Palmcr's division
was S u d d G n l v
Dcurcti into their
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

Yet again in this day Of varying fortunes
the tables were turned aud pursuer became
the pursued. Gen. Liddell's 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 all the Union guns they had cap
tured.
Just after Liddell was driven from the
field about II o'clock a. IN. Gen. Bragg or.
dered Cheatham's division, 1000 strong, to
so to his relief. But Cheatham was too late.
As l.iddell fed Gen. Thomas quickly organ
lied pursuing column. Two more fresh di.
visions had just arrived to assist Thomas.
Crittenden, at Crawfish Spring. had taken
the responsibility of sending Palmer's divi
sion to Thomas. Reynolds division of
Thomas own corps reached the ground abou.
the same time with Palmer.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

The center corps Of tho Union army
changed position for the time. Gen. Thomas
late in the afternoon and during the night
of Sept. IS marched his corps, except Neg
ley's division, to the north to protect tho
road to Rossville. Negley's division was left
behind to guard the ford of the Chickamauga,
near Crawfish spring.
Gen. Thomas and his soldiers marched all
night long. The road from Chickamauga
creek to Rossville cut the northward road,
over which Gen. Thomas marched, at Kellys
farm, hence to become historic.
At kelly's farm Gen. Thomas weary di-
visions halted. Thomas nnsted Roird,s di-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21
confederntcs took advantage Of this fatal

Confederatcs took advantage Of this fatal
gap in 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 in flank They
were driven from the field.
The Union line of hattie that had stood so
bravely from north to south in the morning
was bent back. All south Of the divisions of
Baird ard johnson were rolled backward till
they extended from east to west, almost at
right angles to the position they held in the
morning.
Through the gap swept the Confederate
forces of Stewart, Hood, Renshaw, johnson
and Hindman. Preston followed as a sup.
port They poured through the breach like
waters over a broken levee.
South of the break McCook was left with
only a portion of Sheridan's and Davis divi
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21
AFTER DARK.

Both sizes spent the night of Sept 10 pre-
pairing f.r next days battle. Rosecrans,
anxious and weary, assembled his corps COM
mandels- at his headquarters at Widow
Glenn's Eo,sc. All of his army except two
brigadcs had been in action that day. An
other days fighting was before them that
promised to be still hotter than the one Just
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

tics for the Con-
federates to attack
the thinned Union
forces left at Lee
& Gordon's mill.
But that was no
part of Bragg's
plan.
Bragg himself
was at Tedford's
ford, be t W C c n
Alexander's bridge
and Lee & Cor
don's mill. At 5
o'clock he ordered
d. H. Hill to send
Clehl,rne'S division
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

lily to Negley. Crit
tenden's corps be
ing nearest he now
ordered that to fill
the space left by
Ncgley. Once more
be told McCook to
Ike ep closed up
toward the left at
all hazard. Again
the anxious chief
rode over to Neg
ley's corps, only to
find that Negley
had still not moved.
- -
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

aligned, nd b @
himself did not
hear that he had
b e assign ed to
Polk till after mid
night. Gen. Polk
sent him the word,
IN d told him to
come to Alexan-
de-'s bridge.
Hill moved hi S
troops war d.
At TBS n. m. they
were eating their
breakfast. At this
time an order came
frn,,, Gov, DolE .ii-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

line of battle more comp Get on the right Of
Reynolds The second part meant that he
should move to the rear of Reynolds Tho
order Was written by one of Rosecrans' aides
who was no. military man.
Gen Wood interpreted the second part Of
Rosecrans' order technically and obeyed it.
He moved towards the rear Of BrannaTs
division, who was next on the right Of Rey-
polds.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21
BATTLE OF SEPI. 70.

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 at three different points,
from Reeds bridge on the north, next by
Alexander's bridge south, and third by Ted
fOrd's ford still further south These cross
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

paseefl .sTbel,,ttIc
tho rox+ d,y ,,,,,st
DO +,, ,h. s.taty of
,ho .-,,y ,r1 tho
n,s..ss;o,, ~ Cho@
.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21


ings were all north
Of Lee & Gordon's
mill, about which,
on the west bank
of Chicsamauga,
the greater portion
of the Union
army was grouped.
d. II. Hill had the
extreme left Of the
Confederate line as
1t faced westward,
and Hood the ex-
IRENE right. Hoods
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

manga A beautiful monument marks his
grave in Spring Grove cemetery, Cincin-
natl.
1t was impossible for the few brigades with
McCook to stay tho tide Of battle. They
were overpowered and captured
At the moment when the gap was made
several of Rosecrans' divisions were chang
ing position and were in transit to Thomas
on the left They were taken at a disad-
vantage and utterly routed. Davis division
was thus beaten.
Sheridan's division was the last on the
Union right. When tho Confederatcs
struck their blow two Of Sheridan's brigades
were in the act of marching to the left to aid
Thomas They encountered the advancing
enemy and endeavored to check them, but in
vain. They were repulsed, and fell back on
the Dry Valley road. There they reformed,
and had second unsuccessful fight. Then
they-retreated westward, and by a circuitous
route reached Eossville. Thence they i'd
'vanced to the aid of Thomas.
To sum up: Davis and Sheridan's whole
divisions had been driven from tho field
Part OF tho divisions of Wood, Van Cleve
and Brannan had been defeated and thrown
into confusion. The brigades from these di-
visions that escaped were those that had
gone to join Thomas.
The Confederates captured over 1000 pris-
oners, 40 guns and vast quantities of army
supplies.
There was now left of tho Union army
Thomas, the Rock of Chickamauga. With
him were the divisions of Baird, johnson,
Palmer and Reynolds. Wood and Brannan
had formed anew in q line from east to west.
Two brigades of Nesley's and one Of Van
Cleve's were with them. The corps Of Nc.
Cook and Critten,len had been beaten.
What had become of Thomas! was the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

vas given &c NJ Cook and Crit*srdea, but
obeyed in the tariy manner described. The
battle began at $50 a m, and Nes!ey 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 Clcburne's division to the
left of Breckenridge. These belonged to D.
H. Hills CORDS
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

the Goth of Septcm-
Der suffered tortur-
ing thirst. Bragg's
army had crossed
to the west bank
Of the Chicka-
mauga They had
got possession Of
the springs which
supplied the Union
1 troops the day be-
3fore. They lay in
wait for the squads
of Union men who
were sent for water
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

IRENE Federal left,
in front of Beatty,
where there were
no breastworks. He
proposed, with two
brigades, to try to
get in the rear Of
the Union breast
works. Hill gave
permission.
/ The movement
was begun with
good prospect of
success. The two
Confederate bril-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

ing lines. But the
weight of n 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-
unphans masses Of
. Confederates, till
1.-THE earth and air
seemed dusky with
them. One regi-
ment alone of Ha-
GEMS brigade stood
its ground. That
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21

on learning OF tho
disaster to tho
right, hastily
placed the troops
with him in a posi-
ton of his own Sc
lection. 1t wa s
upon a curving
range Of hills called
Horseshoe ridge.
He placed himself
with his back
against q rock,
-