Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 7.
Frank Moore, Ed.

About the time that Wood took up his position, General Gordon Granger appeared on my left flank at the head of Steedman's division of his corps. I immediately despatched a staff-officer to him, with orders to push forward and take position on Brannan's right, which order was complied with with the greatest promptness and alacrity, Steedman moving his troops into position with almost as much precision as if on drill, and fighting his way to the crest of the hill on Brannan's right, moved forward his artillery, driving the enemy down the southern slope, inflicting on him a most terrible loss in killed and wounded. This opportune arrival of fresh troops revived the flagging spirits of our men on the right, and inspired them with more ardor for the contest. Every assault of the enemy from that time until nightfall was repulsed in the most gallant style by the whole line. By this time the ammunition in the boxes of the men was reduced on an average to two or three rounds per man, and my ammunition-trains having been unfortunately ordered to the rear by some unauthorized person, we should have been entirely without ammunition in a very short time had not a small supply come up with General Steedman's command. This being distributed among the troops, gave them about ten rounds per man.

General Garfield, Chief of Staff of General Rosecrans, reached this position about four P. M., in company with Colonel Houston, of McCook's staff, and Captains Gaw and Barker, of my staff, giving me the first reliable information that the centre and right of our army had been driven. Soon after I received General Rosecrans's despatch from Chattanooga, directing me to assume command of all the forces, and, with Crittenden and McCook, take a strong position and assume a threatening attitude at Rossville, sending the unorganized forces to Chattanooga for reorganization, stating that he would examine the ground at Chattanooga and make all necessary dispositions for defence and then join me; also that he had sent out rations and ammunition to meet me at Rossville. I determined to hold the position until nightfall, if possible — in the mean time sending Captains Barker and Kellogg to distribute the ammunition, Major Lawrence, my Chief of Artillery, having been previously sent to notify the different commanders that ammunition would be supplied to them shortly. As soon as they had reported the distribution of the ammunition, I directed Captain Willard to inform the division commanders on the left to withdraw their commands as soon as they received orders.

At half-past 5 P. M. Captain Barker, commanding my escort, was sent to notify General Reynolds to commence the movement, and I left the position behind General Wood's command to meet Reynolds and point out to him the position where I wished him to form line to cover the retirement of the other troops on the left. In passing through an open woods, bordering the State road, and between my last and Reynolds's position, I was cautioned by a couple of soldiers who had been to hunt water, that there was a large rebel force in these woods drawn up in line and advancing toward me. Just at this time [ saw the head of Reynolds's column approaching, and calling to the General himself, directed him to change the head of his column to the left, and form line perpendicular to the State road, his right resting on that road, and to charge the enemy, who were then in his immediate front. This movement was made with the utmost promptitude, and facing to the right while on the march. Turchin threw his brigade upon the rebel force, routing them and driving them in utter confusion entirely beyond Baird's left. In this splendid advance more than two hundred prisoners were captured and sent to the rear. Colonel Robinson, commanding Second brigade, Reynolds's division, followed closely upon Turchin, and I posted him on the road leading through the ridge to hold the ground while the troops on our right and left passed by. In a few moments General Willich, commanding a brigade of Johnson's division, reported to me that his brigade was in position on a commanding piece of ground to the right of the ridge road. I directed him to report to General Reynolds and assist in recovering the retirement of our troops. Turchin's brigade, after driving the enemy a mile and a half, was reassembled and took its position on the ridge road with Robinson and Willich.

These dispositions being made, I sent orders to Generals Wood, Brannan, and Granger to withdraw from their positions. Johnson's and Baird's divisions were attacked at the moment of retiring, but by being prepared retired without confusion or any serious losses. I then proceeded to Rossville, accompanied by Generals Granger and Garfield, and immediately prepared to place the troops in position at that point. One brigade of Negley's division was posted in the Gap on the Ringgold road and two brigades on the top of the ridge to the right of the road, adjoining the brigades in the road; Reynolds's division on the right of Negley's, and reaching to the Dry Valey road; Brannan's division in the rear of Reynolds's right as a reserve; McCook's corps on the right of Dry Valley road and stretching to the west, his right reaching nearly to Chattanooga Creek. Crittenden's entire corps was posted on the heights to the left of the Ringgold road, with Steedman's division of Granger's corps as a reserve behind his left, Baird's division in reserve and in supporting distance of the brigade in the Gap. McCook's brigade of Granger's corps was also posted as a reserve to the brigades of Negley's on the ridge to the right of the road. Minty's brigade of cavalry was on the Ringgold road about one mile and a half in advance of the Gap.

About ten A. M. on the twenty-first, receiving a message from Minty that the enemy were advancing on him with a large force of infantry and cavalry, I directed him to retire through the Gap, and post his command on our left flank, and throw out strong reconnoitring parties across the ridge, to observe and report any movements of the enemy on our left front. From information