O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXX/2 [S# 51]
AUGUST 16-SEPTEMBER 22, 1863.--The Chickamauga Campaign
No. 235.--Organization of the Army of Tennessee
General Braxton Bragg, C. S. Army, commanding, September 19-20, 1863
HEADQUARTERS
Escort
Capt. GUY DREUX
Dreux's Company Louisiana Cavalry, Lieut. O. De Buis
.
Holloway's Company Alabama Cavalry, Capt. E. M. Holloway
LEFT WING
Lieut. Gen. JAMES LONGSTREET
HINDMAN'S DIVISION *
Maj. Gen. THOMAS C. HINDMAN
Deas' Brigade
Brig. Gen. ZACH. C. DEAS
19th Alabama, Col. Samuel K. McSpadden
22d Alabama, Lieut. Col. John Weedon / Capt. Harry T. Toulmin
25th Alabama, Col. George D. Johnston
39th Alabama, Col. Whitfield Clark. 50th Alabama, Col. J. G. Coltart
17th Alabama Battalion Sharpshooters, Capt. James F. Nabers
Dent's (Alabama) Battery (formerly Robertson's), Capt. S. H. Dent.
* Of Polks Corps
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXX/2 [S# 51]
AUGUST 16-SEPTEMBER 22, 1863.--The Chickamauga Campaign
No. 340.--Report of Lieut. Gen. James Longstreet
C.S. Army, commanding Left Wing
Casualties of the Left Wing Army of Tennessee in the engagement
of September 20, 1863, near Chickamauga, Ga
HINDMAN'S DIVISION Deas' brigade
Officers and enlisted men killed: 123
Officers and enlisted men wounded: 578
Officers and enlisted men missing: 28
Total officers and enlisted men: 729
No. 341.--Reports of Maj. Gen. Thomas C. Hindman, C. S. Army, commanding division
Atlanta, Ga
October 25, 1863
COLONEL: Sickness prevented me from exercising command on Saturday, September 19, until about 3 p.m. My division had then just crossed the Chickamauga at Hunt's Ford, and was soon after ordered to the support of Major-General Hood. The order was executed under a heavy artillery fire from the enemy, causing some loss. My position was on Hood's left and Buckner's right, near the center of the Left Wing of the army, facing west, parallel with the La Fayette and Chattanooga road, 600 or 800 yards distant. The brigades of Deas and Manigault constituted my first line and Anderson's my reserve. Nothing important happened during the remainder of the day. After dark, in the readjustment of my line, a sharp skirmish occurred on Manigault's left, the enemy retiring.
About 11 a.m. on Sunday, September 20, under orders from Lieutenant-General Longstreet, commanding the Left Wing, my command moved forward simultaneously with the troops on my right. At the distance of 300 yards skirmishing commenced, and immediately my whole line was engaged. Rushing on at the double-quick through a storm of bullets, shot, and shell, Deas' brave Alabamians and Mani-gault's Alabamians and South Carolinians, equally brave, drove the enemy from his breastworks, then pushed him beyond the La Fayette road, and charged his second line of breastworks, 300 yards farther on. The troops on Manigault's left not advancing with him, he was enfiladed on that flank by infantry and artillery, checked, and at length forced to retire. One gun of his battery, temporarily disabled, was left exposed to capture, when Col. J. C. Reid, Twenty-eighth Alabama, gallantly faced about and brought it off in safety. Deas swept like a whirlwind over the breastworks. Anderson's fearless Mississippians, carrying the breastworks in their front, moved up rapidly on his left to Manigault's place. Without halting, these two brigades then drove the enemy across the Crawfish Spring road and up the broken spurs of Missionary Ridge to its first elevation, 100 yards west. Hiding behind this, the enemy opened a tremendous fire of musketry and cannon upon our line as it advanced, and at the same time enfiladed it from an eminence in a field on the right; but, without faltering, he was charged, driven from his strong position, and pursued upward of three-quarters of a mile, when he ceased resisting and disappeared, going north completely routed. A body of Federal cavalry, covering the retreat of the infantry, made a demonstration against my right, but retired hastily when about to be attacked.
Meantime Manigault sent back for and received the support of Trigg's brigade, of Buckner's corps, and with it compelled the rapid retreat of the force in his front.
The Fifteenth Alabama Regiment, of General Law's command, which had lost its direction, fired on Deas' right, but upon discovering the mistake, moved up and fought gallantly with him. I now sent staff officers to the right and left, and ascertained that my advance was nearly a mile farther west than any other troops of the Left Wing, none of which had yet reached the Crawfish Spring road. To my right and rear there was hot firing. I determined to move there, and gave the necessary orders, directing the command marched northeast to the La Fayette road till the position of our troops then engaged should be ascertained. This was to avoid the possibility of collision with friendly forces, and to gain time for reforming portions of my command disordered by their rapid pursuit of the enemy.
In the splendid advance, which I have attempted to describe, through woods and fields and over a part of Missionary Ridge, against the troops of Sheridan's and J. C. Davis' divisions, 17 pieces of Federal artillery were captured by my division, 14 of which were taken into possession and conveyed to the rear by Captain Waters, acting chief of artillery, and 3 pieces by Major Riley, chief of ordnance. Since the battle I have been informed that a staff officer from army headquarters found 10 pieces abandoned in a gorge in front of my position, west of the Crawfish Spring road.
The number of prisoners exceeded 1,100, including 3 colonels. The ground was strewn with small-arms, of which 1,400 were collected. Five or 6 standards, 5 caissons, and 1 battery wagon, 1 ambulance, about 40 horses and mules, and 9 ordnance wagons, with 165,000 rounds of ammunition, were also secured.
The numerous wounded and dead of the enemy fell into our hands. Among the latter was Brigadier-General Lytle, of the Federal army, killed by Deas' brigade.
While moving to the right and rear, I was met by a staff officer of Brig. Gen. Bushrod R. Johnson, and afterward by that officer himself, stating that he was hard pressed, and must have support forthwith or he would be compelled to fall back. I immediately placed Anderson's brigade under his orders. Deas, who was out ammunition, obtained a partial supply from Johnson's wagons, and then marched west across the Crawfish Spring road and formed line of battle, facing west, at the top of the first ridge beyond. His skirmishers became engaged immediately with those of a force of the enemy occupying the next ridge. Manigault, now coming up, was directed to form on Deas' right. I believed the force in my front to be the same that I had previously routed, making its way toward Chattanooga, and designed cutting it off and capturing it. But at this juncture, before Manigault's line had been established, brisk firing commenced to my right and rear, east of the Crawfish Spring road, and I received from General Johnson urgent requests for further support. Deas and Manigault at once moved in that direction and formed on his left. Previous to their arrival the firing had ceased.
General Johnson's line faced nearly north, about perpendicular to the La Fayette road and to our original line of battle. It was on the side of an extremely rough and steep projection of Missionary Ridge near Dyer's farm, and was extended eastwardly by the lines of Anderson and Kershaw. The height terminated in an open field near Kershaw's right. It was elsewhere densely wooded. The enemy held the summit in strong force, his artillery, planted on sundry sudden elevations, rising up like redoubts; his infantry between these, behind the crest, and further sheltered by breastworks of trees and rocks.
At 3 p.m. a force of the enemy, probably that which I had recently confronted west of the Crawfish Spring road, appeared on my left, capturing several men of my infirmary corps and others who had fallen out from fatigue or wounds. I was apprehensive of an attack in rear, and sent to General Longstreet and General Buckner for re-enforcements. At the same time, being the officer of highest rank present and deeming concert of action necessary, I assumed command of General Johnson's troops and ordered an immediate and vigorous attack upon the enemy in our front, Deas and Manigault (with Johnson's command, all under direction of that officer)to wheel to the right until faced east and then to advance, taking the enemy in flank, Anderson to move forward when the firing should begin. General Kershaw agreed to conform to the movements of the latter. I hoped to insure the capture or destruction of the enemy by driving him in confusion upon the Right Wing of our army. The movement began at 3.30. Skirmishing extended along the whole line as Deas, at the extreme left, commenced swinging. In a few minutes a terrific contest ensued, which continued at close quarters without any intermission over four hours. Our troops attacked again and again with a courage worthy of their past achievements. The enemy fought with determined obstinacy and repeatedly repulsed us, but only to be again assailed. As showing the fierceness of the fight, the fact is mentioned that on our extreme left the bayonet was used, and men also killed and wounded with clubbed muskets. A little after 4: the enemy was re-enforced and advanced with loud shouts upon our right, but was repulsed by Anderson and Kershaw. At this time it became necessary to retire Garrity's battery, of Anderson's brigade, which had been doing effective service. It was subsequently held in reserve. Dent's battery, of Deas' brigade, was engaged throughout the struggle. Notwithstanding the repulses of our infantry, the officers and men of this battery stood to their guns undaunted and continued firing, inflicting severe loss on the enemy and contributing largely to the success of my operations.
At 4.20 Brigadier-General Preston, of Buckner's corps, in answer to my application for help, brought me the timely and valuable reenforcement of Kelly's brigade, and within an hour afterward the remaining brigades of his division--Gracie's and Trigg's. These brave troops as they arrived were conducted by officers of my staff to the right of my line, and promptly advanced, in conjunction with the rest, upon the enemy; from this time we gained ground; but, though now commanding nine brigades, with Kershaw co-operating, and all in action, I found the gain both slow and costly. I have never known Federal troops to fight so well. It is just to say, also, that I never saw Confederate soldiers fight better.
Between 7.30 and 8 p.m. the enemy was driven from his position, surrendering to the gallant Preston 600 or 700 prisoners, with 5 standards and many valuable arms. One piece of artillery, 2 or 3 wagons, and about 50 prisoners fell into the hands of Deas'brigade. This was the victorious ending of the battle of Chickamauga.
At 11 p.m., suffering much pain from an injury received about midday, I relinquished to Brigadier-General Anderson the command of my division.
The usual commendatory expressions would almost seem to cheapen the services of the officers and men of my immediate command during the day, and those who fought with us in the afternoon. The relation of what they performed ought to immortalize them.
For signal gallantry and efficiency, the army and country are indebted to Brigadier-General's Preston and Johnson and their several brigade commanders; also to Brigadier-General Kershaw and the three brigade commanders of my division (Anderson, Deas, and Manigault). Without the decided success which they won on Dyer's Hill, Chickamauga would not have been a victory, unless after another day of fighting and slaughter.
On the same roll of honor should be inscribed the names of the chivalrous staff officers, the devoted officers of the regiments and companies, and the heroic rank and file. «20 R R--VOL XXX, PT II»
The reports of my subordinates mention many of each grade who distinguished themselves. Not a few of them fell gloriously and now rest on the field; others bear honorable wounds, and others fortunately remained unhurt. I respectfully ask attention to the records of their conspicuous bravery, and that the appropriate rewards of valor be conferred on them.
The following staff officers were with me on the field: Col. C. W. Adams, acting assistant inspector-general and chief of staff; Maj. J.P. Wilson, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. Walker Anderson, acting assistant adjutant-general; Lieut. B. F. Williams, aide-de camp; Capt. D. D. Waters, acting chief of artillery, and Capt. J. F. Walton, provost-marshal.
Captain Lenoir and Lieutenants Gordon and Lee, of my cavalry escort, also acted on my staff during the engagement.
The conduct of all these officers was in the highest degree soldierly and their services most valuable. They have my thanks and deserve the confidence of their superiors.
Colonel Adams especially, by his greater experience, his cool courage, and his admirable promptness and precision, has placed me under lasting obligations, and amply shown his fitness for higher rank, which I earnestly hope will be given him.
Maj. E. B. D. Riley, chief of ordnance, was very efficient in his department, having his trains almost constantly at hand and supplying every call for ammunition with the least possible delay.
Maj. J. C. Palmer, commissary of subsistence, performed his duties in the most satisfactory manner, providing the command with cooked rations during the battle and the movements preliminary to it, with almost as much regularity as if prepared by the men themselves in camp. In this he was efficiently aided by Capt. S. M. Lanier, assistant quartermaster, an officer always ready and willing, and whose' qualifications and Services fairly entitle him to promotion.
Chief Surg. C. Terry was prompt and efficient to the utmost extent of the means at his disposal.
Lieut. L. P. Dodge, aide-de-camp, was disabled by being thrown from his horse before the battle commenced and was not afterward with me.
The strength of my division on going into action was 501 officers and 5,621 enlisted men.
My loss was:
Officers
Killed: 16 | Wounded: 81 | Missing: 1 | Total: 98
Enlisted men
Killed: 256 | Wounded - 1,399 | Missing: 97 | Total: 1,752
Total
Killed: 272 | Wounded: 1,480 | Missing: 98 | Total: 1,850
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. HINDMAN, Major-General.
Lieut. Col. G. MOXLEY SORREL,
Assistant Adjutant-General , Longstreet's Corps.
[Inclosure.]
Abstract from report of guns engaged, ammunition expended, etc, in artillery battalion of Hindman's division, at the battle of Chickamauga, September 19 and 20.
Dent's - Guns engaged
12-pounder Napoleons 6
Rounds of ammunition expended: 317
Dent's - Casualties
Men killed: 3
Officers wounded: 1
Men wounded: 12
Horses killed: 4
Horses wounded: 4
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