The National tribune., 1902-05-22
FROM GEN. BRAGG's NARRATIVE.

|
FROM GEN. BRAGG's NARRATIVE.
"On Wednesday, the 25th, l again Wis.
| tied the extreme right, now under Lieut.
| Gen. Hardee, and threatened by a heavy
force, while strong columns could be seen
marching in that direction. A very heavy
force in line of battle confronted our left
and center.
"On my return to this point, about II a.
m, the enemys forces We're being moved
| in heavy masses from Lookout and beyond
to our front, while those in front extended
TO our right. They formed their lines with
great deliberation just beyond the range
of our guns and in plain view of our posi-
ton. Though greatly outnumbered, such
was the strength of our position that no
doubt was entertained of our ability TO
hold it, and every disposition was made
for that purpose. During this time they
had made several attempts on. our ex-
IRENE right, and had been handsomely re-
pulsed with very heavy loss by Maj.-Gen.
Cleburne's command, under the immediate
direction Of Lieut.-Gen. Hardee.
by the road across the ridge at Ross
vile, far to our left, Il route was open to
our rear. Maj.-Gen. Breckenridge, com
manding on the left, had occupied this
with two regiments and a battery. 1t be
ing reported to me that a force of the
enemy had moved in that direction, the
General was ordered to have it recOnnoi-
tered and to make every disposition neces-
sary to secure his flank which he proceed
ed to do.
about $50 2. m. the immense force
in the front of our left and center ad-
yanced in three lines, preceded by heavy
skirmishers. Our batteries opened with
fine effect, and much confusion was pro-
duced before they reached musket range.
In a short time the roar of musketry
became heavy, and it was soon apparent
that the enemy had been repulsed in my
immediate front. While riding along the
crest congratulating the troops, intelli-
gence reached me that our line was broken
on my right and the enemy had crowned
the Ridge. Assistance was promptly dis
patched to that point, under Brig. Gen.
Bate, who had so successfully maintained
the ground in my front, and / proceeded
to the rear of the broken line to rally our
retiring troops and return them to the
crest to drive the enemy back. Gen. Bate
found the disaster so great that his small
force could not repair it.
About this time | learned that our ex-
IRENE left had also given way, and that
my position was almost surrounded. Bate
was Immediately directed to form a sec
Ond line i'll the rear, where, by the efforts
OF my staff, a nucleus of stragglers had
been formed upon which to rally. Lieut.
Gen. Hardee, leaving Maj .-Gcn. Cleburne
in command on the extreme right, moved
toward the left when he heard the heavy
firing in that direction. He reached the
right of Anderson's Division just in time
to find it had nearly all fallen back, com
mencing on its left, where the enemy had
first crowned the Ridge. By prompt
and judicious movement he threw a por-
ton Of Cheatham's Division directly across
the Ridge, facing the enemy, who was now
moving "A strong force Immediately on his
left flank. BY a decided stand here the
enemy was entirely checked, and that por-
ton of our force to the right remained in
tact.
IAN TO the left, however, except a por-
tion of Bates Division, was entirely rOut-
ed and iii rapid flight, nearly all the artil-
lery having been shamcfully abandoned by
its infantry support. Every effort which
could be made by myself and staff and by
many other mounted officers awaited but
little. A panic which / had never before
witnessed seemed to have seized upon Off
GERS and men, and each seemed to be strug-
CLING for his personal safety, regardless of
his duty or his character. In this distress
ing and alarming state of affairs. Gen.
Bate was ordered to hold his position COW
ering the road for the retreat of Breckin-
ridges command, and orders were imme-
ulately sent TO GenS. Hardee and Breck-
lnridSe to retire their forces Upon the de-
pot at Chickamauga.
Fortunately it was now near nightfall.
and the country and roads in our rear
were fully known TO us, but equally I'M
known to the enemy. The routed left made
It's way back in great disorder, effectually
covered, however, by Bates small com
mand, N..-i"h had sharp conflict with the
enemy's advance, driving it back After
night, all being quiet, Bate retired in good
order, the enemy attempting no pursuit
"Lieut.-Gen. Hardee's command. under
his Judicious management, retired in good
order and unmolested.
As soon as all troops had crossed. the
bridges over the Chickamanga were de-
stroyed, to impede the enemy. though the
stream WAS fordable at several places.
No satisfactory excuse can possibly be
given for the shameful conduct of our
troops on the left IN allowing their line to