The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-21
BATTLE OF PEACHTREE CREEK
General John Coburn COrrects n Mis-
statement Concerning 1t.
TO the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:

To the Editor Of the indianapolis Journal:
few days ago l saw In the indianapolis |
Journal the copy of resolution that had |
been adopted a day or so before by the |
George II. Thomas Post. of this city, of
which l am a member, which was compli-
mentary to General Harrison and myself
for advancing our respective brigades.
without orders, or against orders and at
tacking the enemy in the open field at
Peachtree creek. This is a mistake The
brigades advanced by the order of General
Ward, commanding the division. A soldier,
whose name is Henry III. Crist of Company
l, Thirty-third Indiana. whom 1 had left
but a short time before, quite a distance
in front of the skirmish line. brought me
the information that the enemy was adj
vancing in large numbers and not far dis
tant. l at once put my brigade under
arms.
| then went to inform General Ward of
these facts. 1 found him in a very short
time and insisted on an advance of his di-
vision. He doubted the fact of the approach
of the enemy and added that General Hook
er had ordered this division to remain in
our present position. | said if he (Hooker)
was here he would not give such an order;
that II we were attacked and compelled to
ItllTe, even a snort distance, we could not
90 so safely, since the creek too deep
10 wade and the banks were soft and miry.
de repeated that it was Hooker's orders
Tor his division to remain there. / insisted
on an advance. since we could fight to a
better advantage. out in front than where
we We're. He then said: THAT is true, but
don I believe that the rebels are coming
90 and see yourself and if they are COM
ing move your brigade forward and tell
Harrison to advance with you.
saw Harrison IN a very few minutes
and told him what Ward had said. and that
l was going to the front to see for myself
whether the enemy was coming; and as my
brigade was already under arms If they
were coming 1 would al once order an ad-
vance, and seeing this that he could act
accordingly. He said he would be ready to
move whenever my brigade moved.
went 10 the top of the ridge some forty
or nfty rods and plainly saw the enemy
coming in large numbers. their lines ex-
tending to the woods on either side of p
large field Returning, in haste | ordered
fne ADVANCE of my command and General
fore our commads sot to the at tor Of the
ridge the enemy came over and down
toward us.
Wards division contained three brigades
The third brigade got no order from him
ana remained until l went personally and
insisted on the movement of this brigade
forward on my left. The commanding Of
hcer said he had no orders to move I
insisted upon it, and he did move The
enemy had by this time, got upon the
immediate left of my command, but were
Brigade.
That part Of the field was completely
shut out from view of my command by
heavy thicket of pines, persimmons.
blackberry bushes and small trees that had
sroWh UP along an old fence row running
TO the front along the left of my COM
! mand.
Colonel Harrison in his report of the
| battle says, in reference to the orders TO
| advance. the following:
while thus formed and waiting I met
colonel Coburn, commanding Second Bri-
| gade, who Informed me that his skirmishers
reported the enemy advancing TO attack
u.s. and suggested that line ought to
be advanced TO the crest Of the small
/ ridge which extended itself in front of
| his line and portion of the left of my
brigade. | concurred in this suggestion.
and Colonel Coburn went Immediately 20
| submit the matter TO the brigadier gem
eral commanding the division, and very
soon after i received an order in case
! the enemy advanced to move forward
/ to the crest of the ridge mentioned Page
So. History of the SEVENTEEN Indiana
Regiment"
So it appears that we moved under or
| ders, and not over them.
| Let me add word as 10 Mr. Crist. who
J gave me the informatiO of the approach
OF the enemy he has now letters from
| Maj. L. t. Miller the commanding Of
| ficer of the Thirty-third Indiana: also from
| myself as brigade commander, recogniz
! ing his valuable services on that day. which
| | append as fit compliments to his good
| sense, courage and prompt action In great
| emergency He still lives and is a most
1 worthy ana eSllndDlc gentleman. residing
| in Hartsville. Ind. JOHN COBURN.
! Note lon Page 327. Volume 3S Rebellion
| Record, General Ward states that about 3
| r.. m. July 20. at Peachtree Creek Colonel
| Coburn reported to me that the enemy was
| advancing upon us I'm strong force" and
that he Immediately ordered an advance Of
| his division.
Note 81 have heard it stated by SOL
| der that he saw dam across the creek
| that raised the water several feet where
| the army crOssed-a well-laid trap &c.
| Following the letters mentioned in
| General Coburn's communication:
| Headquarters Second Brigade. Third
| Division, Twentieth Corps. Near
| Atlanta. Aug. IL. 1864
| Major Miller. Commanding Thirty-thirtl
| Regiment. Indiana Volunteers.
| "Major-Please appoint. and give him a
| certificate TO that effect. Henry II. Crist
| private, Company /, Thirty-third Indiana
| Volunteers. a sergeant i'm that company.
| and state therein that II is given him for
| his zeal and activity in bringing timely
| information of the approach of the enemy
| at Peachtree Creek. Georgia, TO brigade
| headquarters, thereby putting the whole
| division on the alert. on the 10Th of July.
| 1864. Let his warrant date from the 20th
| day OF July, 1854 Yours very respectfully
JOHN COBURN, Colonel
| HEADQUARTERS Thirty-third REGIMENT
| Indiana Infantry Volunteers.
I'm the Field, Georgia, Aug Is. 1864.
| Ito all whom IL may concern: This is 10
| certify that Private Henry III. Crist OF
| Company I. Thirty-third Indiana Infantry
Division. Twentieth Army Corps. Array OF
| the Cumberland. WAS tho man xvho