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[295] attacking Murfreesboro in co-operation with Forrest, marched his men, a fourth of them barefooted, over the icy roads to Nashville, where upon arrival he encountered stragglers already in rapid retreat, indicating the disaster that was impending. Even under such circumstances his troops bravely took position, intrenched as best they could in such weather, and made a gallant fight against the Federal assault. After the supporting troops were driven back, he rode along his advanced line, urging the men to hold fast, though under fire from three directions. His Tennesseeans at the ‘angle’ were almost annihilated; two Georgia regiments fought until surrounded; all three brigade commanders were captured. The military service of General Bate was closed in the spring of 1865, with the capitulation of the army of Tennessee. During the four years he had been three times severely wounded, and had demonstrated in a remarkably brilliant way the ability of the American volunteer to rise to important command and win renown there as well as in the ranks. He resumed his legal practice, making Nashville his home. As he has eloquently said of the Confederate soldier in general, ‘He returned home from the fields of disaster, vanquished but not destroyed; sorrowful, but not without hope; . . . the irrepressible pride and indomitable pluck of Southern manhood were still with him,’ and General Bate speedily gained a lucrative practice and honorable fame in his profession, and a prominent place in political councils. In 1868 he was a delegate to the Democratic national convention; for twelve years he served on the State executive committee of his party; was presidential elector-at-large in 1876; and in 1882 and 1884 was elected governor of Tennessee. At the expiration of this service, which is remembered as capable and dignified, he was elected United States senator. To this position, in which he was one of the most able representatives of the South, he was re-elected in 1893. At the dedication of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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