The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-03-15
ADVANCE AND RETREAT.
CONTINUED from mage IL

possession of the Federal line; they
captured three guns, and sent them to
the rear. Unfortunately, the other
commands, whose advance up a 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-
ately 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,
out the war. rendered gallant and eff
Client service, not only in this great bat
tie, but upon many fields where we
were thrown together I'm the heat of
action: Col. w. H. Sellers, Assistant
Adjutant-General; Col. f. H. Cunning
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. l.. Sublett, Ordnance Officer, fault
lessly discharged their duties In their
Darby. Chief Surgeon, distinguished
himself by his untiring energy In car
ing for the wounded; the eminent talent
which he displayed In his province
during our struggle has since deserved
ly won for him a high position in the
medical world.
Ny 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
fin 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.
1 remained for period of one month
under medical treatment, first at Staun-
ton and then at Charlottesville, whence
j proceeded to Richmond. About the
1ith of September my division passed
through the Capital, under orders to join
Gen. Bragg in the West, for the purpose
of taking part I'm battle against Rose
H.
recovered. I 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 8 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 portion of my old
troops, who received me with touch
ing welcome. After a few words OF
greeting exchanged with Gen. Johnson
j assumed command in accordance with
the instructions i had received, ordered
the line to be broken by filing into the
road, sent few picked men to the
front In support of Forests Cavalry
and began to drive the enemy at rap
i'd pace. In short time we arrived a,
Reid's bridge across the Chickamauga
and discovered the Federals drawn VI
in battle array beyond the bridge, which
they had partially destroyed. / ordered
forward some pieces OF artillery, opened
fire, and at the same time threw Out
fankers 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. wher
we bivouacked in line near q beautiful
residence which had been fired by the
enemy and was then almost burned Il
the ground. We had driven the Fed
erals back a distance of six or sever
miles. Meantime, the main body of the
army crossed the Chickamauga at diff
ferent points, and concentrated thai
night in the vicinity of my command
At Chickamauga.
Gen. Bragg having formed his plar
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 a heav,
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, {
distance OF fully one mile, when night
fall brought about cessation of hostiii
ties, and the men slept upon their arms
In the evening, according to my Gus
tom In Virginia under Gen. Lee, / rod,
back to Army Headquarters to repor
to the Commander-in-Chief the result
Of the day upon my part of the line.
there met for the first time several o.
the principal officers Of the Army o
Tennessee, and. to my surprise, not on,
spoke in a sanguine tone regarding thu
result of the battle in which we wer,
then engaged. ! found the gallan
Breckenridge, whom 1 had known from
early youth, seated by the root Of
tree, with a heavy SLOUGH hat upon hi
head. When, In the course Of brief con
versation, i stated that we would rou
the enemy the following day, he sprani
to his feet, exclaiming, my dear Hood
am delighted to hear you say so. Yo'
give me renewed hope; God grant 1t ma.
be So"
After receiving orders from Gen
Bragg to advance the next morning a
r<~lx