The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-11-14
AT REEDS BRIDGE.
Splepdid Work Done by the Cavalry on tin
Left at Chickamauga.

the monument of the regiment at Reed s
Bridge, Chickamauga National Park, he
said:
Lieut. Vale. in his history of Minty and
his cavalry, says: at was Bragg's intention
to move Buchner and Forest from Ringgold
and Leet's at 3 O'Clock in the morning of the
18th, and sweepisg away all instructions
cross Reeds Bridge by 8 a. M, at which
hour Hood was to cross Alexanders Bridge;
the combined forces then to seize the Chat
tanoosa road north Of Lee & Gordon's Mills
and attack Crittenden's left at the Vineyard
House, while Polk, crossing at Dallas Ford
and at the mill, attacked him i'll 'front.' thus
crush him before noon, and then turning on
Thomas overwhelm him by a left front and
right assault from the whole army before
night, leaving McCeok 40 miles away to be
dealt with at leisure"
As additional evidence of Bragg's inten-
tiOns, submit the following extracts from
his General Orders:
HEADQ'Rs ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
In THE FIELD. LEErs TAN YARD
Sept. Is. 1863 }
I. Johnson's column (Hood's). on crossing at or
near Reeds Bridge, will turn to the left ~, by the
most practicable route and sweep up the Chicka-
manga towards Lee Il Gordon's Mill.
H. Walker on crossing at Alexander's Bridge,
will unite in this movement and push vigorously
on the enemy's flank and rear in the same direc-
ton.
Two important factors had been left out
of the calculations Brigade, at
Reeds Bridge, and Wilder's Brigade, at AL
exander's Bridge. We will now return to
Reeds Bridge, relating what there occurred,
quoting literally from official and other re-
liable reports for the facts stated.
AS carly as the 18th Minty had ascertained
that the Confederate army was in close prox-
unity and reported the facts to Maj Gen.
Crittenden, and in answer received a letter
from Capt. Oldsrshaw, A. A. G., Twenty
first Corps, of which the following is an ex-
tract: I" The Major General commanding di-
reefs me to acknowledge receipt of your
letter of this date informing him that Forest
is at Ringgold, Longstreet at Dalton, Pc
gram at Leet's, and Buckner at Rock Springs
All this would indicate infantry, which the
Major-General cannot believe"
On the 10th he again reported the presence
Of infantry and received the same doubling
anwer. He sent during the night of the 18th
almost hourly dispatches to Crittenden adj
vising him that train after train was arriving
at Ringgold from the south, but without re-
ceiying other reply than that "Therebel army
is retreating and trying to get away some of
their abandoned stores. They have nothing
but dismounted cavalry in your front" But
the brave and vigilant Minty. ever alert to
duty, and fully convinced Of the correctness
of his information, had his command quietly
aroused before daylight on the morning of
the 18th, horses saddled, artillery ready and
baggage loaded. At 5 a. m. he sent 100 men
of the 4th Regulars to Leafs. and 100 OF the
4th Mich. and 18th Pa. toward Ringgold. At
6 a. m. couriers arrived from both stations
ctaf. ha nJr I'M
He at once moved out with the command
about mile and a half to ridge overlook
ing the Pea Vine Valley, dispatching couriers
at the same time to Gen. Granger at Ross
vile, Col Wilder at Aexanders Bridge, Gen.
Wood, commanding the left of Crittenden's
Corps, at the Mills, and to Gen. Crittenden
at Craw Fish Springs. Who of us survivors
can ever forget the picture presented on that
quiet September morning in the Pea Vine
Valley? Directlyin our front was the heavy
line of skirmishers advancing; then the long,
solid lines OF infantry, with artillery flanked
by cavalry. Further to our left heavy bodies
Of troops could beiseen, all in motion, and
still further, dense columns of dust; all in
dicating too plainly the impending battle.
With the thousands of bayonets glstening
in the first rays Of the rising sun, and hun
dreds of battle-fags kissing the morning
breeze it was picture at once beautiful,
grand and gloomy-grand in contemplation
of military glory, gloomy in the reflection
that the scene would sosn change and many
must die.
The enemy advanced steadily and drove
our skirmishers back to the foot of Pea Vine
Ridge, when our artillery opened deadly
fire on the head of the column, causing it to
halt and form line-of-b battle, amidst heavy
They now formed continuous
line, crescent shaped, reaching from the
creek above Dyer's Ford across the Ridge
into the Pea Vine Valley, and numbering
between 1000 and 10000 men, under the
command of Bushrsd Johnson, and, advanc-
ing with determination, drove our brigade
across the Ridge, and breaking into columns
but few hundred yards from
Reeds Bridge. Lieut.. Griffin, of the Chicago
Board of Trade Battery, an officer brave
efficient, and ever ready for duty, opened on
them with canister from ambush, checking
their advance, and as they were deploying
the 4th Mich. and 7th Pa. delivered saber
charge and drove their center back to the
Ridge through the gap. Their right wing,
however, had now approached to within 200
yards of the bridge, and their artillery fire
sweeping the entire space from Mrs. Reeds !
mouse 10 the creek lett no alternative out an |
immedia retreat. This was accomplished |
but at great risk, as the bridge |
over which we had to pass was frail and |
rickety. After the command had crossed |
the bridge a squadron of the 4th Regu- |
lars was sent to destroy it, but being |
hard pressed only partially succeeded in
so doing. A line-of-battls was at once
formed on the ground near and in front of !
where we are now assembled. Here We dis
puted the passage of the enemy most Wig
lrOusly, holding in check the whole force
until 4:30 in the afternoon, when, upon re-
,eiving information that the enemy were
;rossng in force at Alexander's Bridge Gen.
MiBty withdrew his command and again
vent into position at jack Saw Mill, closely
ollowed by the enemy.
1t was now dark, the enemy we'll across
he creek, and in line-of-battle directly in
'ur front. We dismounted and went into
position on the right of Col. Wilder's Brigade
md in touch with the left division of Crit
enden's force, and remained in line Of battle,
within speaking distance of the enemy, I'M
Ill the following morning, when we were
elieved by Gen, Palmer. 1t was cold,
heerless night, and one never to be forgotten
~ the comrades who stood by their guns
hat long and gloomy night, without blankets
II overcoats, andIchaving been without food
ince a. m. of the previous day.
The 18th of September, 1863 Ia day ever
memorable in the history of the 4th Mich.
jav. J, has come andg gone. The well-matured
of .SxrJfi ,H.,, f,,,a