EMPIRE HOSPITAL, ATLANTA, GA., Oct. 4th.
SINCE the 20th of
August, I have had little opportunity, and less inclination, to write in my
diary. About the 10th of September, Gregg's Brigade received orders to take the
cars for Atlanta, Ga., and we were soon on our way via Mobile,
where mean whisky upset some of the boys. At Montgomery, I went to the theatre
and witnessed a very poor play. On the way from this place to Atlanta, a
soldier was killed by falling between the cars while running. On arrival at
Atlanta, we camped two days near the city, and then took the train for Resaca,
on the road to Chattanooga, where we again rested for two days. In leaving
Atlanta, I became separated from the regiment, which left at 7 o'clock P.M.,
and did not get off until the next morning, when I succeeded in getting aboard
of the train carrying the Fiftieth Tennessee, General Gregg and Staff, and the
brigade commissary stores. Three miles north of Marietta, the car containing
the subsistance broke down, and had to be thrown off the track; consequently,
about twenty-five of us had to walk back to Marietta and wait for the next
train. The order turned out to be a piece of good fortune for the party, as the
train we left was run into by a down train that night and completely
demolished-eighteen men being killed and seventy-five wounded, mostly of the
Fiftieth Tennessee. This accident occurred on Sunday night, September 13th. On
Monday, I got on board the passenger train, and, after a run of a few miles,
the rear coach ran off, but no one was seriously injured, though the escape was
miraculous. This accident occurred at Big Shanty, and here I had to remain
until the following day, when I was enabled to get through to my regiment at
Resaca without further delay. Wednesday morning, we were again en route to
Ringgold, and reached the burnt bridge, two miles below that town, just at
night-fall. Soon after, the Forty-fourth Tennessee came up and camped near us.
In this regiment we found many friends and acquaintances. Thursday morning, we
had orders to cook two days' rations, but our supplies being behind, we could
not do so. Saw where General Forrest had whipped the enemy a few days before.
During the day we heard that a battle was expected every day between Bragg and
Rosecrans, and that we were now in seven miles of the enemy's advance. General
Bragg had increased his army by reinforcements from Virginia and Mississippi,
and was supposed to have about sixty-five thousand men wherewith to match
Rosecrans' one hundred thousand hitherto victorious and well-armed troops.
Thursday evening, a courier announced to General Gregg that the enemy's cavalry
had driven in our pickets beyond Ringgold, and were then in possession of the
place. In a short time, the brigade was under arms and on the march. Had to
wade the Chickamauga three times in going one-half a mile. Heard artillery
firing ahead, but, after taking position on a hill overlooking the town,
learned that Bushrod Johnson's Brigade had driven the enemy off. The brigade
was then marched back to camps and ordered to cook four days' rations, which
consumed the greater part of the night.
At 4 o'clock Friday
morning, the march was resumed, with the understanding that there was to be a
vigorous pursuit of the enemy. Gregg's and Johnson's Brigades were formed into
a division under command of the latter—Colonel John S. Fulton succeeding him in
command of the brigade. By daylight the troops were fairly in motion, and,
passing through Ringgold, took a westerly course, which, in seven miles,
brought us up with the enemy. Our line of battle was quickly formed in an open
field, and ordered forward to the edge of the woods in which the enemy was
supposed to be covered; but, after advancing some four hundred yards it was
halted, and skirmishers were thrown forward. No hostile force was found, and,
after a vigorous shelling of the woods, the brigade was moved by the left flank
some distance and again ordered forward. The Chickamauga Creek was waded and
the steep acclivities beyond were climbed in vigorous pursuit of the enemy, who
showed no disposition to come to an engagement. The line of battle kept pushing
ahead for several miles, through thickets and dense woods, until more open
ground was reached, when a short halt was made to rectify the alignment; after which
the advance was resumed, passing through a Yankee camp which had been abandoned
a short while before. Just about dark our brigade came up with the enemy's
skirmishers, and, the whole division joining in the yell with which the
Thirtieth Tennessee opened the ball, these were quickly driven in. Night now
being at hand, a halt was made and the men were ordered to sleep upon their
arms. A general silence seemed to pervade both lines, in view of the prospect
of a heavy battle on the morrow. The night was remarkably cool for the season
of the year, and before morning we were allowed to unsling blankets for
comfort. At sun-rise, September the 19th, our brigade was thrown into position
on a rocky ridge along the west bank of the Chickamauga, and skirmishers thrown
out in readiness for the attack which we had reason to believe the enemy would
make during the morning; but it was near 10 o'clock before the battle opened
with artillery and heavy musketry on the right. In our front every thing was
quiet except the rattling of artillery-wagons, as they were being moved up to
where the fighting was going on. The engagement gradually extended along the
line until at midday it had reached the right of Johnson's Division, and the
roar of conflict had been continuous.
We could hear
Cheatham's men cheering as they charged and drove the enemy, and the feebler
cheer of the other side as it took the offensive, and, in turn, drove Cheatham
back.
About 2 o'clock,
being on the skirmish line, my attention was drawn to matters more directly in
our own vicinity by the whizzing of a few minnie bullets at the front. I then
saw a brigade of "blue coats" approaching in splendid order at a
double quick, and I apprised Lieutenant Chafin, the officer in command, of the
fact; but every one said they were our own men, and it was concluded not to
fire at any event until they came closer. When they were within two hundred
yards or less, we saw they were Yanks, and no mistake, and firing one round we
ran in, according to orders. I took deliberate aim at an officer on horseback,
but never learned the effect of my shot. As we reached the main line it was
kneeling and at a ready, and perfectly cool. The retiring skirmishers had
hardly time to get into their places before the enemy appeared and opened fire
with a heavy volley. Our boys now opened with a will, and a severe combat of
thirty minutes ensued without any relative change on either side, when our
opposers fell back out of range. Bledsoe's Missouri Battery aided materially in
the repulse by its splendid firing, which it kept up after the enemy was beyond
the range of musketry. About this time General Gregg rode up to Colonel
Tillman, commanding the Forty-first, and told him to move forward and see what
those fellows are doing down there in the heavy timber." The command was
given to forward along the whole brigade, and forward we went in splendid
order. At the foot of the hill a halt was called, while skirmishers were thrown
out. Colonel Tillman ordered Lieutenant Chafin to detail some of his best men
and deploy them as skirmishers at least three hundred yards in advance of the
brigade; the three first files of company C were called for, and we went
forward, deploying at a double quick, and firing as a "blue coat"
came in view. We found the enemy lying down in line of battle waiting for us,
and reported the fact. I heard General Gregg's stentorian "Forward!"
and a wild yell, as the boys came on at a charge. We waited until they came up,
and fell into our places. The whole division was yelling and firing as it went;
the bushes were too thick to allow good order or much execution. The yell
seemed to have done the work, for the enemy gave way, leaving their dead and
wounded and throwing down their guns and knapsacks. The charge was kept up for
a half mile, when progress was stopped by a heavy battery in front of Johnson's
Brigade, and which we had to give them time to take, the order being for us to
preserve line. While waiting here we learned that our gallant General Gregg had
been severely, if not mortally, wounded. Colonel Walker, of the Third
Tennessee, took command of the brigade. At this stage word was passed along the
line that the enemy was moving up in our rear, and we were ordered to fall
back, which was accomplished just in the nick of time. After reforming, a half
wheel to the right was made to protect the flank, and this position was
maintained the rest of the evening. Captain Feeney's Company was thrown forward
as skirmishers as night was coming on. The fighting in front of our brigade was
over for that day, but was still heavy on the left wing. Of the casualties in
the brigade I knew nothing. In the Forty-first the loss was very light,
considering that, for a time, we were exposed to a heavy cross fire. We had
killed and wounded a great number of the enemy, and captured a few prisoners,
besides a number of guns and knapsacks. Three-fourths of a mile of ground had
been gained since morning. Of individual acts of heroism on the part of
officers and men I will not speak, nor of the few who showed arrant cowardice
at the first fire. At dark, Company C was relieved from skirmish duty by a
company from the left of the brigade. James Wilson and myself, being
detailed to go for water, set out with the canteens of the company, and walked
about two miles before obtaining a supply. On our return we wandered about in
the woods, completely lost, for about two hours, when we accidentally stumbled
upon the line, just as we were about broken down and had given up in despair.
During the night, logs and rocks were piled up as protection against bullets.
The atmosphere was again quite cool and foggy. General Gregg was in advance of
the line when he was wounded, and was left in the hands of the enemy for
awhile, who rifled him of his sword, money and watch, and were taking him off
the field when he feigned death and was left on the ground. His wound is in the
neck, and not considered dangerous. Colonel Granberry, of the Seventh Texas,
received a painful wound during the day. All of the other regiments suffered
more than the Forty-first. Colonel Sugg, of the Fiftieth Tennessee, was
wounded, but, after being attended by the surgeon, came back and took command
of the brigade, which, in the meantime, had devolved upon Colonel Walker, of
the Third.
SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 325-9
