Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

During the ninth, it was ascertained that a column, estimated at from four thousand to eight thousand, had crossed Lookout Mountain into the cove, by way of Stevens' and Cooper's Gaps. Thrown off his guard by our rapid movement — apparently in retreat, when, in reality, we had concentrated opposite his centre — and deceived by the information from deserters and others sent into his lines, the enemy pressed on his columns to intercept us, and thus exposed himself in detail.

Major-General Hindman received verbal instructions on the ninth to prepare his division to move against this force, and was informed that another division from Lieutenant-General Hill's command, at Lafayette, would join him. That evening the following written orders were issued to Generals Hindman and Hill:

headquarters army of Tennessee, Lee and Gordon's Mill, 11 3/4 P. M., Sept. 9, 1863.
Major-General Hindman, commanding Division:

General: You will move with your division immediately to Davis' Cross-roads, on the road from Lafayette to Stevens' Gap. At this point you will put yourself in communication with the column of General Hill, ordered to move to the same point, and take command of the forces, or report to the officer commanding Hill's column, according to rank. If in command, you will move upon the enemy, reported to be four thousand or five thousand strong, encamped at the foot of Lookout Mountain, at Stevens' Gap. Another column of the enemy is reported to be at Cooper's Gap — number not known.

I am, General, &c.,

Kinloch Falconer, Assistant-Adjutant-General.

headquarters army of Tennessee, Lee and Gordon's Mill, 11 3/4 P. M., Sept. 9, 1863.
Lieutenant-General Hill, commanding Corps:

General: I enclose orders given to General Hindman. General Bragg directs that you send or take, as your judgment dictates, Cleburne's division to unite with General Hindman, at Davis' Cross-roads to-morrow morning. Hindman starts at twelve o'clock to-night, and he has thirteen miles to make. The commander of the column, thus united, will move upon the enemy encamped at the foot of Stevens' Gap, said to be four thousand or five thousand. If unforeseen circumstances should prevent your movement, notify Hindman. A cavalry force should accompany your column. Hindman has none. Open communication with Hindman with your cavalry in advance of the junction. He marches on the road from Dr. Anderson's to Davis' Cross-roads.

I am General, &c.,

Kinloch Falconer, Assistant Adjutant-General.

On the receipt of his order, during the night, General Hill replied that the movement required by him was impracticable, as General Cleburne was sick, and both the gaps, Dug and Catlett's, had been blocked by felling timber, which would require twenty-four hours for its removal.

Not to lose this favorable opportunity — Hindman, by a prompt movement, being already in position — the following orders were issued at eight A. M., on the 10th, for Major-General Buckner to move with his two divisions and report to Hindman:

headquarters army of Tennessee, Lee and Gordon's Mill, 8 A. M., Sept. 10, 1863.
Major-General Buckner, Anderson's:

General: I enclose orders issued last night to Generals Hill and Hindman. General Hill has found it impossible to carry out the part assigned to Cleburne's division. The General commanding desires that you will execute, without delay, the order issued to General Hill. You can move to Davis' Cross-roads by the direct road, from your present position at Anderson's, along which General Hindman has passed.

I am, General, &c.,

George W. Brent, Assistant Adjutant-General.

And both Hindman and Hill were notified. Hindman had halted his division at Morgan's, some three or four miles from Davis' Cross-roads, in the cove, and at this point Buckner joined him, during the afternoon of the tenth. Reports fully confirming previous information in regard to the position of the enemy's forces, were received during the tenth, and it became certain that he was moving his three columns to form a junction upon us, at or near Lafayette. The corps near Colonel Winston's, moved on the mountain towards Alpine, a point twenty miles south of us. The one opposite the cove continued its movement, and threw forward its advance to Davis' Cross-roads, and Crittenden moved from Chattanooga, on the roads to Ringgold and Lee and Gordon's Mills. To strike these isolated commands in succession was our obvious policy. To secure more prompt and decided action in the movement ordered against the enemy's centre, my Headquarters were removed to Lafayette, where I arrived about half-past 11, P. M., on the tenth, and Lieutenant-General Polk was ordered forward with his remaining division to Anderson's, so as to cover Hindman's rear during the operations in the cove. At Lafayette, I met Major Nocquet, engineer officer on General Buckner's staff, sent by General Hindman, atfer a junction of their commands, to confer with me, and suggest a change in the plan of operations. After hearing the reports of this officer, and obtaining from the active and energetic cavalry commander in front of our position, Brigadier-General Martin, the latest information of the enemy's movements and position, I verbally directed the Major to return to General Hindman and say that my plans could not be changed, and that he would carry out his orders. At the same time the following written orders were sent to the General by courier: