The National tribune., 1901-11-07

wounded on their way to Bridgeport, on
foot or in wagons and ambulances. Our
camp soon became a hospital, while our
Surgeon and his assistants dressed the
wounds Of many who had received no
attention. In the midst Of our labors
came another order from Gen. Morgan, TO
remove our quarters to the west bank, on
account of an expected attack. This looks
as if our retreat has really begun.
We can get but little consolation from
the wounded, who left the field during the
first days engagement; they all say the
enemy attacked in superior numbers,
sweeping around our fianks and in many
cases reaching our rear causing our men
TO lose ground continually until night in
terrupted the conflict. Our Right Wing
was badly broken and disOrganized. Some
Of the wounded assert that our army can
not be driven back any farther, while 9th
ers say it will soon be beseged in Chat
tanooga, if<not already confined there.
THE BATTLE OF cHCKAMAUGA.
Sept. % a member of our brigade ar
rived from the front and entertained us
with graphic account of the battle. He
said:
After leaving Caperton's Ferry we
marched out on the Trenton road over
Sand Mountain to Alpine, where we en-
camped. The distance was only % miles,
but consumed several days, as our wag-
ons and artillery had TO be dragged up
the steep mountain-sides. While waiting
for all corps to come up We heard that
Bragg had abandoned Chattanooga and
was falling back on Atlanta or Rome.
Our corps was ordered to intercept
him on the road to Rome, but on attempt
ing TO do so We found the enemy directly
IN front Of us in strong force; and not
only that, but we We're isolated from the
other columns and subject TO immediate
~ Hl ltr hA .rrff
Gen. McCook waited anxiously three or
four days to hear from Gen. ROsecrans,
when the summons al last reached him to
join Gen. Thomas in the Center where
a battle was imminent Gen. McCOOl
placed himself at the head Of our divi-
sion and Daviss, and began the tOilsome
ascent Of the mountain at Winst0n's Cap
leaving Sheridan's Division in charge of
the trains. We followed a mountain road
to Stevens Gap, and there descended to
Crawish Springs and biYOuacked on the
night of Sept. IS.
The next morning we were hurried
away in the direction Of Chattanooga. fol
lowing the sound of musketry and artil-
lery, which indicated TO us that a battle
was in progress. A rapid and exhausting
march Of y miles brought US to the scene
of action at l p. m. near Kelleys House.
on the Lafayette road. where Brannan's
and Baird's Divisions were fighting
against odds and were being pressed back
rest of 10 minutes was allowed us after
our arrival on the field, and then our divi-
sion was thrown against the enemy
We rushed forward with cheers-our
brigade passing through the ranks of Ha-
zen's Brigade. The Confederate line gave
way and fell back about Il mile, when
we were halted by orders. as we had no
support for our fianks. There we held our
position until D p. m, when the firing
ceased in our front, but continued on our
left.
I'VE all supposed the bloody work of
the day was ended when darkness hid
the surrounding objects from our view.
but suddenly we were encircled with a
line Of fire flashing from the enemy's guns
almost III our very faces. All we could
do was TO throw ourselves fat on the
ground and answer flash for flash. while
bullets fairly seethed over our hends Tins
for an hour our division ard two brigddes
of Baird's bore the brunt of an attack
by Chcatham's and Cleburne's Divisions.
and we held our position although cy-
hausted with the days marching and
hGhting, while these Confederate divisions
had not previously been engaged When
the enemy retired we were moved back
and bir0uacked about 300 yards east of
the Lafayette road, with Baird's Division
on our left and Palmer's, ReynOdss and
bfannan DIVISIONS on our right thus
forming Il line of defense crossing one
corner of kelley's farm and the road lust
south of his house.
At daybreak we began 10 pile up logs
and rails for breastwOrks, in which work
we were not disturbed by the enemy.
probably on account of the heavy fog. un-
til after 8 O'Clock, when skirmishing began
and continued for an hour. and then the
battle burst upon us in all its fury. Our
breastworks arved us well. for we were
able to hold superior numbers in our front
at bay, but could not prevent the enemy's
long line from overlapping the two bri-
gades of Baird on our left and gaining
access to the rear of our Notifications.
But here our brigade, as the reserve Of
our division, assisted by reserves of the