The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-04-14
CHICKHMHUGA.
A Lieutenant-ColonelT Tells of the Part His |
Brigade Took.

Brigade Took.
Editor National Tribune: 1t is but natu-
raj that an ex-soIdier should indulge
feeling of pride in the organization to which
he BELONGED. and in which he performed
honorable service. And this is parucu-
Iarly the case when it is connected with
important campaigns eliminating IN great
battles.
MANY heroic acts of private soldiers
passed unnoticed, except perhaps by a
few near comrades, and more than one
commissioned officer failed to receive
honorable MENTION" when by so doing
particular friend might have found 1t more
difficult to secure promotion
So little could be seen during battle,
except in front and immediate vicinity of
where one was engaged, that it IS not
strange that much written Is diScredited
by those who feel that they ought to know
the facts.
The second instanment of letters OF
Chas. A. Dana" in the issue of March 3,
brings wildly TO mind the stirring events
connected VIII Cui-H1u "a campaign.
1 was at t. time Is per OF the staff
~ Cen Iytc who Wa command of
the First Bri 81 SieTaa1.s DIVISION.
This brica Is ordered from the rear
of Widow 81 aDu-e LIT O'Clock OF
the second zc uos.tiOn to the left
and front | #s ua k0G~ 20 we were to
join, as / - pres nj "heh Rose
crans's Aid ale ri.r Ter, and who
was 10 condl sl s.as 10 the position
assigned.
| had Sh 'arH obtained per-
mission from JI1I. Lyle to 90 to the 'front.',
where our skirinisil-lihe was in position.
and obtain any news | could as TO affairs
in OR front. On reaching the left Of our
skirmiSh-line | found a company OF the
88th H.. commanded by Capt. Bross, who
was Colonel of a coiored regi-
ment and lost his life in the explosion at
Petersburg, Va, and also found a gap in
the woods on theLeft of our line, and was
told by the Captain that the troops on our
lcft had been withdrawn some little time
before this.
rode through our line short distance
to the front and could hear plainly com
mands given by rebel officers to their men,
who although they could not be seen, on
account of the brush, ] was convinced
were forming for a forward movement.
| returned as quickly as possible to our
line and ordered Capt. Bross to face his
men to he left and move into the timber
allowing his right to rest where his LETT
then was. and said to him You will soon
have to fall back, as the rebels are in your
immediate nont and arc preparing to
move"
then with all possible speed made the
run for my brigade to report these facts to
Cen Lyle, and found it moving to the left
and front under the guidance Of some Of
iiccr with the rank OF Colonel, who was
said to be an Aid of Gen. Rosecians.
Upon telling Gen Lytic VIVA, had seen
and heard. and insisting that the brigade
should then and there be put in line-of-
battle he called this Aid and told him
what | had reported. The Aid retorted
by saying that he had just come from the
front and that it was perfectly safe to
make the movement as we were then
in the usual order. Gen. Lyle
said TO me in an undertone:
"Pcrhaps YOU are right, Turnbull; but |
believe will not order the men into line-of-
battle now.
/ replied owe will soon see, General,
who is right" and took my place beside
him.
We had not in my Judgment, marched a
quarter of a mile when we were met by a
terrific voiley of musltetry. Gen. Lyle
his horse, and with his magnifi-
cent voice gave the command: BY com
panies into line" And there, with tic
men falling rapidly, was formed the first
line of This brigade under a terrific fire.
IIiscoc!<,s battery was marching between
the two brigade lines, and had TO be gotten !
out OF the way before the second line could |
be formed.
| was ordered by Gen. Iytle to look after
the battery and form the second line. |
While doing this he, with The first line Of
his, brigade, held the enemy in check, and |
lust before my work was completed his |
horse came on the gallop to the rear, and | |
i6new Cen. Lyle was killed.
With the enemy passing round us on the |
right and left, our brigade was Of course |
shattered but We formed the nucleus |
around which was gathered more than |
one thousand stragglcrS, taken command |
of by Gen. Sheridan, who tried in vain TO |
with Gen. Thomas.
Passing in the rear to the left to Ross
Vile we found the rebel cavalry in the gap |
on the ridge, threw out sSirmishers, drove !
the rebels back, and moved forward. BY a |
little after dusk was III communication |
with Gen. Reynolds, who was, | think, at |
that time on the extreme left OF our line. |
& We there received orders to about face"
and return to RossviIle, where we found the |
whole army pouring IN. !
What was left Of this brigade at this !
time, nearly asssI know, was all of |
Sheridan's Division which he had under |
his command she Others having been
separated from him during the battle.
We were assigned TO the extreme right, |
and on retreat 40 Chattanooga the next |
night were the rear guard.
This is written because am crediby in |
formed that there has never been a report |
of the part taken by this brigade in This |
great battle filed with the records in the |
War Department and perhaps some othess |
who Were members 81 Tbs brigade can help |
complete the histOryiof the honorable part |
it took in it.--John NJ. Turnbull, Lieuten-
ant, Co. G. seth H.. Monmouth, Ill.