The Lexington intelligencer., 1902-04-12
THE GREAT BATTLE OF CHICAMAUCA.
Account of the Noted and Bloody Conflict by Gen.
Green B. Raum,
AN OEFICER WHO WORE THE NATIONS BLUE.
Gen Thomas Bore Brunt of the Fight-GalIant Stand
of RosecranS.


involving nearly every fighting man
in both armies, was not decisive.
The union forces had held their
position, they had resisted every
assault of the enemy, and had pre-
vented him from seizing the road to
Chattanooga; but Bragg's army was
not whipped-both men and officers
were con fident Of success. Gen Long
street with his corps from the Army
of Virginia, where it had gained great
renown, was now fighting side by side
with the confederate troops of the
southwest, and there was friendly
rivalry between them in the display
of valOr on the battlefield.
Gen. Rosecrans had not received
any reinforcements whatever since
crossing the Tennessee river, nor
had he base of supplies for food and
ammunition for his army; he relied
solely upon the men and munitions
which he brought with him. Not so
with Gen. Bragg; his railroad and
telegraph lines were undisturbed; he
was campaigning in his own country,
with the topography of which he was
familiar; he had abundant military
supplies, and had been heavily rein
forced.
The fighting on September 10
clearly indicated that the union forces
were confronted by a veteran army
largely superior in numbers.
When night came on both armies
were completely tired out; marching
at night and fighting ineessantly
during the day, with the intense
nervous strain incident to such a
struggle, with friends and comrades
falling on every side, with the knOwl-
edge that the battle would be renewed
the next morning, and added to all
this hunger and thirst, the men of
the two armies when night came on
were ready to take their rest, Not a
shot was fired during the night.
Gen. Rosecrans's headquarters was
on the extreme right of his army, at
the house of Widow Glenn; here the
commanding officers of corps and
division assembled during the early
hours of the night, made their reports
and received their orders.
1t was believed that Gen. Bragg
would not abandon his plan Of over
powerng the left wing of the union
army, with the view of rec ipturing
Chattanooga; that stronghold was the
stake in the great combat.
The line Of battle was not changed.
The right Of Rosecrans's army was at
Widow Glenn's house, southwest Of
the Lafayette and Chattanooga road,
and was held by McCook S corps. The
left Of the line was northeast of the
road and was held by Thomas,
Minty's cavalry and Wilder's mounted
infantry we're posted one mile north
of Gordons mills, on the Chattanooga
road and the wagon trains of the
army were further north, in the
neighborhood of RoSsyille.
Crittenden's corps was in reserve
near the center, from which point he
could reinforce either the left or right.
AT the dawn of day on September
20 Gen. Rosecrans was in the saddle,
and began an inspection of the line.
He found the entire army in position
ready for combat; he made certain
changes in the position of some Of the
troops with view OF strengthening
the line. Gen. Negley had been
directed to reinforce Thomas, and
Gen. McCook was to send troops "a
take Negley's place; these movements
had not been made, and Rosecrans
directed immediate action Thomas's S
corps was found in its proper position
and well in hand to meet the enemy.
Gen McCook was ordered to keep
we'll closed to the left In the support
Of Gen. Thomas, and that he must dc
so at every hazard.
Returning to the right, Rosecrans
found that Negley had not yet moved
he had not been relieved by Gen,
Mccook Negley was ordered to send