St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-01-22

I-E <d&g&EsTI TOurth ONO vol
~ q unteers After
engaging in sew.
eral minor battles with his regiment
Colonel Steedman took command of a
brigade in the west AMI was conspicu-
GUS at Perryville, where he brought up
re-enforcements in "nick O. time" to
save part Of the line from complete dis
aster.
Steedman has been given the credit
Of saving Thomas at Chickamauga by
an act Of independent boldness. 1t is
also said that General Gordon Granger,
who commanded the corps in which
Steedman led division, ordered the
movement which brought about the
grand result. I give below statement
Endorsed by Steedman, in writing, as
the first and only truthful account of
the part taken by his division in that
fearful crisis when the fate of Thomas
hung by thread. Changers corps had
been ordered by Rosecrans to hold GER
tain positions in the rear of the army
which was fighting at Chickamauga
To Steedman was assigned Ne guarding
of Ringold road and bridge. After Rose
Grams right and center had been de-
stroyed and the sound of battle made it
clear to those at distance that the
whole Confederate force was being
hurled upon Thomas, Steedman an
nounced to his officers and men that he
was about to disobey his orders, "burn
the bridge and march at once with his
whole force to the field Of battle"
The situation at Chickamauga is we'll
known to every reader and needs no ex-
PLANTATION here beyond the bare state
ment that Thomas on the left was over
whelmed and was sending aids in all
directions to summon help from distant
parts of the field Steedman put his
command in motion, and after a short
march was met by General Granger,
who inquired with much impatience
what he was doing General Granger,
I am going over to the fight that Thoma:
is having with the enemy, y was the
courteous reply. Amazed, as we'll he
might be, and recalled to his proper dig
nifty, Granger said, General, you have
been ordered by General Rosecrans tt
hold the Ringold bridge at all hazards,
and it is a fearful thing for an officer tt
disobey an order of the commanding
general in the face Of the enemy"
Whether the language used in the dia
logue is given literally in the account
Endorsed by Steedman or not is Of M
consequence. The points at issue art
stated clearly, and words of the same
purport must have been used. Steedmal
answered: "True, General Granger, bu
the situation is much changed since thu
issuing Of that order, and if the com
manding general were here, or knew thu
facts, he would certainly change it ant
order me to the field. Thomas is fight
ing against large odds. If he can hole
his position without US, he can win {
victory with us. There is no enemy il
our front. We are doing no good her,
and are much needed ON the field. ,
Steedman was an impetuous volunteer
Granger q schooled regular, and the re
ply of the latter may be anticipated
Said he, II know you are right; but
being with you, will be censured."
Granger was not unduly cautious O
sensitive for a corps commander, ant
doubtless the volunteer general wa
from the first aware of the holiness o
his act from the official point of view
He responded with earnestness: 'No
General Granger, you shall not be cen
sured. This is my movement and tax
the whole responsibility of it" At tina
Granger turned his horse to the front
saying: "You are right anyway, gen
eral Garry out your purpose, and l will
sustain you" And he rode with him t.
the field. Steedman reached the ont
skirts of Thomas battlefield after lon,
march, and the uniforms of his men an,
the dropping flags were gray with dust
Immediate orders were given to Steed
man to drive the enemy out of piec
Of timber where the line was in danger
The men were hardly in motion to charg
the wood when Thomas beckoned Steed
man to halt and said, IT have change,
my mind" Why Thomas SO quick
changed his mind is best explained il
the account which have followed thu
far and now quote word for word:
"on tho extreme right of the crescent line
which there faced directly south, the relativ
quiet on the ridge told plainly that 1t ha
changed masters and was rapidly changin
occupants The key to the Federal position ha
surely been abandoned, for, the enemy gair
ing that hill, the whole right of the curve wa
at their mercy by an enfiluding fire, the Ger
ter, facing south, and the left, facing north
exposed to fire directly in tho rear, situl
ton in which no troops can possibly remair
That vital position should have been held a
all hazards The plainest duty demanded thu
to the last man 1T should have been defended
But it had been abandoned. Its loss woul
have appalled, one less brave than Thomas
Pointing toward the hill, no continued, quiet
ly, slowly, impressively as though he recof
nized q terrible blunder, but feared to be ur
just: General Negley's command occupie
that ridge short time since and why he hu
abandoned IL do not know. Possibly he ma
have received an order from General Ros,
Grams. The enemy are now posting batter
there and will ahortlv enfilaaa our Y,ooitio