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

[378] remain to repel any assault that the enemy's infantry might make. He remained there several hours, part of the time under a heavy artillery fire which he could not return, as our fuses are so uncertain that he would have run the risk of killing our own men by firing over their heads. He remained there till about sundown, when he was moved back to his former position, where he remained till the left made its move to the front and right on Sunday. He was then ordered to leave Baxter's battery to assist Jeffries in holding the bluff on the extreme left of the line, and move with his three other batteries in rear of Preston's division. After getting to the Chattanooga road, he was placed in several positions to check the expected moves of the enemy, but did not get into action till about five P. M. This was when Preston's division was in the hottest of the fight, and the enemy was crossing the Chattanooga road in large numbers to reinforce that part of their army holding the hill to the left. Major Williams was then ordered to take position about a thousand yards from where they were crossing and open fire with his three batteries. This he did, with great execution, silencing the enemy's artillery, cutting off the reinforcements, and enabling the infantry to capture between five and six hundred prisoners. All the officers and men acted, whenever they had an opportunity of doing so, with courage and coolness. Enclosed are reports of the battalion commanders.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Sir: This division, constituting at the time a part of Buckner's corps, with the exception of Johnson's brigade detached, marched, on Thursday morning, September seventeenth, 1863, from Lafayette, Georgia, in the direction of Chattanooga. We bivouacked for the night on Peavine Creek, and resumed the march next morning with Bate's brigade in front, Clayton's following, and Brown's in rear, the column taking the direction to Thedford's Ford on the West Chickamauga. Arriving during the afternoon of Friday, the eighteenth, within a mile or less of the ford, Major-General Buckner directed me to occupy the high ground in its vicinity, commanding the approaches to it, but not to bring on an engagement with the enemy, who were near at hand, unless necessary. With the aid of Major Nocquet, of the engineers, Bate's and Clayton's brigades, with their batteries, were placed in position on the wooded heights, respectively, below and above the ford, Brown's being drawn up in reserve in rear of Clayton's. The Eufala battery, Captain Oliver commanding, and Caswell's battalion of sharpshooters, both of Bate's brigade, opened fire upon the enemy, in the direction of Alexander's Bridge, who soon retired. Three companies from Clayton's brigade were then sent across the stream to occupy, as skirmishers, a wooded hill beyond, and after nightfall his entire brigade crossed.

Early Saturday morning, the nineteenth, the other two brigades passed on, and formed in rear of Clayton's. The commanding General coming up soon after, and receiving information that the troops which had crossed the stream lower down had advanced and established their line in front of and nearly at right angles to Preston's, whose division had passed the stream above, and was then on my left, General Buckner directed me to move forward and form on the left of this line. This was done, Clayton forming on the left of McNair, whose brigade constituted part of an impromptu division, commanded by Brigadier-General B. R. Johnson, Brown, and Bate in rear. Preston's division was then formed on my left, also in three lines, all fronting nearly or quite to the west. While in this position the Eufala battery (three-inch rifled guns) was sent forward by General Buckner's order, as I was informed, and opened fire on the enemy's position in front. The enemy replied with shell and round shot, wounding a few of our men. A subsequent change, made also by order of General Buckner, moved us a space equal to brigade front directly to the right. Soon after making this change of position, and, as I supposed, near noon, Major Pollock B. Lee brought me an order from the commanding General to move to the point where firing had commenced, which seemed to be a considerable distance to the right, and somewhat to the rear of us. Before moving I went to General Bragg, himself, who was near by, in order to get more specific directions. He informed me that Walker was engaged on the right, was much cut up, and the enemy threatening to turn his flank; that General Polk was in command on that wing, and that I must be governed by circumstances. Moving by the right flank in the direction indicated, front half a mile to a mile, we arrived near a corn-field, beyond which the heaviest firing was heard. Messengers were sent in search of General Polk, but without success, and fearing to lose too much time, I determined to move upon the enemy aross the corn-field. Lieutenant W. B. Richmond, Aid to General Polk, confirmed me in this design. He came up in search of the General himself, and told me that, from what he knew of the nature of the ground and situation of the enemy, a better point at which to attack them could not be found. Accordingly, Brigadier-General Clayton was directed to advance, and it is but just to this excellent officer and his fine brigade to say that they moved forward to this, their first engagement, with great spirit and alacrity, and in admirable order. Major Hatcher, of my staff, was sent with them to bring me intelligence, and I followed myself until overtaken by an Aid of Brigadier-General Wright, of Cheatham's division, who informed me that Wright's brigade had been turned by