The state herald., 1913-09-12

of battle swept through Kelley field Then there
one OF those mysterious and unexpected
luls In the storm. but It was merely gathering
force for the climax OF hurricane that had
ragged in the forest along Chickamauga creek for
two days. 1t was soon to break again. and Its
lightnings we're next to fash around horseshoe
summit. where | was standing. saw the ad-
vancing Confederate legions sweeping all before
them across the open plain in my front. Long
street had driven his brigades through the Union
lines and swept the right wing of Rosecrans
army from the field In wild disorder. Wheeling
his forces he started for Thomas In command of
the left wing. II Thomas could be routed. VIC
tory fon Confederate arms was assured that
would shake the nation to its foundations Next
| behed the brave General Brannan rallying the
remnants OF half dozen brgades on Snodgrass
Hill General Thomas was marshalling his shat
tered forces for resistance that placed his name
high In the esteem OF the nation.
Before I could grasp the meaning OF the whiri
and the rush OF the regiments. Snodgrass Hill
had been converted into citadel of defense from
which the thunderbolts OF Iron could be hurled
against the advancing foe. looked again and
saw Longstreet's confederates scaling the side
OF the hill with majestic tread. Then .
sheet OF fame burst from the Union lines the
crest OF the HILL full In the faces of the advancing
Confederates No troops could stand In that
storm OF lead They halted. daIed and desdened
by the awful carnage Their lines gave way.
only TO be reformed at the foot OF the ridge for
another charge | saw the flags OF Mississippi.
Alabama and Georgia, South Carolina and vir-
ginia and the lone star OF Texas flashing de-
nance at the foe on the summit OF the hill. An.
other charge into the face OF n deadly volley and
another retreat to the foot OF the ridge, VIII
they never desst in their mad attempt TO scale
the ridge, Now. saw some OF the Confederate
standards on the crest OF the hill. and men In
hand.to-hand combat. They piled the dead In
the trenches and fought their bodies. But
I md m
to the relief OF the Union defenders with flesh
troops and the Confederates were hurled. MAIN
ed and shattered. from the vantage point they
had gained by superhuman effort and undaunted
courage The side OF the ridge was strewn with
the dead and wounded. Bursting shells had ig
nitod the dry lenves OF the forest and bodies
scorched and blackened by flame and smoke
AZ last, as the sun was sinking behind Lookout
Mountain. throwing dark and spectral shadows
across the plain upon which one OF the greatest
tragedies OF modern or ancient warfare had Just
been enacted General ThomnH withdrew his
forces under orders from Snodgrasn I'M. leaving
the bloody field OF chiekamauga In possession OF
the battered bu, shoutin. Confederate legions
after two days OF fighting that has never been
etcelled In the history OF wars The Confcdcr-
hter tho vic,ors at chickamauga, but Rose.
Grams and Thomas got their army TO Chattanooga
In safety n fact that has seemed TO make honors
even.
What followed the carnage at Snodgrans nm
ia history. General Bragg hesitated. he fnitercd.
he lost Every commander OF division under
him on that fateful nold expected TO hear every
minute an order 10 follow Thomas and ciinch the
victory: but the order never came Thomas
reached Chattanooga In safety and soon after
succeeded Ros.crsns In command Tho long
siege Of Chattanooga followed with which read.
ort OF war history are familiar.
chlckamauga was tho hoodiest two-days bnt.
tie OF history. The forces were about equal In
numbcru Much controversy has from time TO
time arisen over chlekamauga statistics, but from
tho best obainnblc Information the total strength
Of each army n little 10 tho rse of 10000
mon. making tho number actually engaged some.
thing more than 100000. The casusities wcrc
about aH follows;
Confederate. Killed. s.,ss; wounded. 1858;
missing. 1000; aggregate. i6,p7i.
unioni Killed 1886 wounded. p7tp: missing.
s.77t, aggregate, iG,iTp
These deadly nsurcs show that tho aggregate
slaughter at chicknmnnsa vas $3.50. including
dead. wounded and missing IN both nmiss