The National tribune., 1906-03-15
ADVANCE AND RETREAT.
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Tex, succeeded In gaining temporary
possession of the Federal line; they
captured three guns, and sent them 70
the rear. Unfortunately, the other
commands, whose advance up steep
ascent was impeded by immense boul-
ders and sharp lodges of rock, were
unable to keep pace up the mountain
side in their front, and render the nec-
essary support. Never did a grander,
more heroic division enter into battle;
nor did ever troops fight more desper-
stely to overcome the insurmountable
difficulties against which they had to
contend, as Law, Benning, Anderson
and Robertson nobly led their brave
men to this unsuccessful assault. Gen.
Law, after L was wounded, assumed
command of the division, and proved
himself by his courage and ability,
fully equal to the responsibilities of the
position.
The losses were very heavy, as shown
by the reports, and have often caused
me the more bitterly TO regret that !
was not permitted to turn Round Top
Mountain.
The following officers of my staff
most Of whom served with me through
out the war, rendered gallant and eff
cient service, not only in this great bat
tIe but upon many fields where we
were thrown together in the heat of
aetion Col. w. H. Sellers, Assistant
Adjutant-General; Col. e. H. Cunning
ham, Inspector-General; Maj 3. II.
Blanton, Capt. John Smith, Capt. Jas.
Hamilton, Lieut.. E. B. Wade, Aids-de
Camp; Maj. n. B. George, Quartermas-
ter; Maj. Jonas, Commissary; and Capt.
d. J.. Sublett, Ordnance officer, fault
lessly discharged their duties in their
respective departments. DR.. John I.
Darby, Chief Surgeon, distinguished
himself by his untiring energy in car
ing for the wounded; the eminent talent
fnl tan ltc,, ,1nNr. J. trNa.
during our struggle has since deserved
ly won for him high position in the
medical world.
My official reports bear testimony to
the valuable services of other gentle
men temporarily attached to my head
quarters. In truth, / can say with
pride that no General was ever more
ably supported by staff officers than
myself during the war.
The Retreat From Gettysburg.
When the Confederate army fell back
from Gettysburg / followed our march,
ing column in an ambulance, suffering
very much from the wound received in
my arm. In the same vehicle lay Gen.
Hampton, so badly wounded that he
was unable to sit up, whereas l could
not lie down. We journeyed together
fn this manner to Staunton, a distance
of some 200 miles. Along the pike
were seen our wounded, making their
way to the rear, and the noble women
of Virginia standing by the wayside to
supply them with food and otherwise
administer to their wants.
l remained for a period of one month
under medical treatment, first at Staun-
ton and then at Charlottesville, whence
proceeded to Richmond. About the
18th of September my division passed
through the Capital, under orders to join
Gen. Bragg in the West for the purpose
nf taking I'm hattie AGAINST RnSa-
Grams. Although 1 had but partially
recovered, / determined. for reasons
already stated In my letter to Gen.
Longstreet, to place my horse upon the
train and follow in their wake.
I arrived at Ringgold, Ga. on the |
afternoon of the 18th, and there re-
ceived an order from Gen. Bragg to |
proceed on the road to Reid's bridge, |
and assume command of the column
then advancing on the Federals. / had
my horse to leap from the train, |
mounted with one arm in sling, and, |
about 3 p. m, Joined our forces, then
under the direction of Gen. Bushrod
johnson and in line of battle. A small!
body of Federal cavalry was posted |
upon an eminence a short distance be-
yond. On my arrival upon the field /
met for the first time after the charge
at Gettysburg a portion of my old
troops, who received me with touch |
ing welcome. After few words of
greeting exchanged with Gen. Johnson, |
] assumed command in accordance with
the Instructions had received, ordered |
the line to be broken by filing into the
road, sent a few picked men to the
front in support of Forests Cavalry,
and began to drive the enemy at a rap
sd pace. In a short time we arrived at
Reid's bridge across the Chickamauga,
and discovered the Federals drawn up
in battle array beyond the bridge, which
a.. l.
forward some pieces of artillery, opened
fire, and at the same time threw out
hankers to effect a crossing above and
below and join in the attack. Our OPP
ponents quickly retreated. We repaired
the bridge, and continued to advance
till darkness closed in upon US, when
we bivouacked in line near n beautiful
residence which had been fired by the
enemy and was then almost burned 10
the ground. We had driven the Fed
erals back a distance of six or seven
miles. Meantime, the main body of the
army crossed the Chickamauga at diff
ferent points, and concentrated that
night in the vicinity of my command.
At Chickamauga.
Gen. Bragg having formed his plan
OF attack the following morning / was
given, in addition to my own division,
the direction of Kershaw's and John
sons Divisions, with orders to continue
the advance. We soon encountered the
enemy in strong force, and heavy
engagement ensued. All that day
we fought, slowly but steadily gain
ing ground. Fierce and desper-
ate grew the conflict, as the foe stub
bornly yielded before our repeated as
saults; We drove him, step by step, a
distance of fully one nile, when night
fall brought about a cessation of hostiii-
ties. and the men SLEPT upon their arms.
In the evening, according to my Gus
tom In Virginia under Gen. Lee, ! rode
back TO Army Headquarters 10 report
TO the Commander-in-Chief the result
of the day upon my part of the line. !
there met for the first time several of
the principal officers Of the Army of
Tennessee, and, TO my surprise, not one
spoke in a sanguine tone regarding the
result of the battle in which we were
then engaged. ! found the gallant
Breckenridge, whom l had known from
early youth, seated by the root of a
tree, with heavy slouch hat upon his
head. When, in the course OF brief con-
Versation, ] stated that we would rout
the enemy the following day, he sprang
TO his feet, exclaiming, MY dear Hood,
] am delighted TO hear you say so. You
give me renewed hope; God grant It may
be So"
After receiving orders from Gen.
Bragg to advance the next morning as
soon as the troops on my right moved
TO the attack, ! returned TO the position
occupied by my forces, and camped the
remainder of the night with Gen. Buck
ner, as l had nothing with me save that
which / had brought from the train
upon my horse. Nor did my men have