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

Among these were several officers of eminent worth and services, whose names are mentioned in the reports of brigade commanders. I desire to express my high appreciation of Brigadier-Generals Brown, Bate, and Clayton, and of their respective commands. Representing the three States of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, they vied with each other in deeds of high and noble daring. The Confederacy has nowhere braver defenders led by more skilful commanders. It is due to the several members of my staff that I should acknowledge my obligations for their invaluable services, and record my estimate of their personal bearing and conduct in the field.

Major R. A. Hatcher, A. A. General, than whom there is not a more active or faithful officer in the service, displayed throughout his usual intelligence, promptness, and cool courage. Major John C. Thompson, A. I. General, and Lieutenant S. H. Cahal, A. A. and I. General, were conspicuous for their zeal and disregard of danger. Major J. W. Eldridge, Chief of Artillery, discharged his duties with energy and skill, bringing the artillery into play, on the few occasions where it was practicable, with judgment and success. My two Aids, Lieutenants Bromfield Ridley, Jr., and R. Caruthers Stewart, though very young men, and the latter under fire for the first time, behaved with commendable gallantry.

On Saturday, I was also well served by Mr. John E. Hatcher, a volunteer Aid, and private John M. House, a clerk in the Adjutant-General's office. To Chief Surgeon G. B. Thornton, and the Medical Inspector, Dr. G. W. Burton, I am indebted for the good care of the wounded, and the excellent hospital arrangements provided under their supervision, and for their unremitting attention to their duties. Under the management of Captain J. W. Stewart, Ordnance Officer, supplies of ammunition were always promptly at hand when needed, and affairs were managed to my entire satisfaction in their respective departments, by Majors John A. Lauderdale, Acting Quartermaster, and J. D. Cross, Acting Commissary of Subsistence, who are among the most faithful and energetic officers of their branches of service.

My thanks are due to Captain H. L. Foule, commanding my escort, and who acted as my Aid, and to the officers and men of his admirable company, for their intelligence, activity, and zeal. I have never required a service from the company, nor from any member of it, that was not performed to my entire satisfaction. In conclusion, I desire to express my humble but most grateful acknowledgments to Almighty God for the signal success that crowned our arms. Greatly outnumbered as we were by a skilful and determined foe, our own strong arms and stout hearts could never have secured to us the victory without the Divine favor. Let all the praise be ascribed to His holy name.

Enclosing with this the reports of brigade and regimental commanders, to which I beg to refer for details and for the names of those in their respective commands who entitled themselves to special mention,

I am, Captain, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

The division was composed of Jackson's brigade, Brigadier-General John K. Jackson; Maney's brigade, Brigadier-General George Maney; Smith's brigade, Brigadier-General Preston Smith; Wright's brigade, Brigadier-General M. J. Wright; Strahl's brigade, Brigadier-General O. F. Strahl; Stanford's battery of four guns, Captain T. J. Stanford: Carnes' battery of four guns, Captain W. W. Carnes; Scoggins' battery of four guns, Captain J. Scoggins; Scott's battery of four guns, First-Lieutenant John Marsh commanding; and Smith's battery of four guns, First-Lieutenant William B. Turner commanding.

In obedience to orders from Lieutenant-General Polk, I crossed Chickamauga Creek at Hunt's Ford, on the nineteenth September, at seven o'clock A. M., and moved my command by the flank in a northern direction, formed my line of battle, and awaited orders.

At eleven o'clock A. M., I received orders direct from the General commanding the army, through Lieutenant Parker, of his staff, to move to the extreme right of our line, to the support of Major-General Walker, whose division had been for some time warmly engaged, and who reported himself as being heavily pressed by the superior numbers of the enemy, who, subsequent events disclosed, had, or was at this time concentrating the bulk of his forces on our right and in front of Major-General Walker's command. Moving rapidly by the right flank, I reached the road leading from Alexander's Bridge, and at once formed my command immediately in rear of Major-General Walker's line of battle — Jackson's brigade on the right, Smith's in the centre, and Wright's brigade on the left, the whole line supported by Maney's and Strahl's brigades, which were held as reserves. About twelve o'clock, M., I gave the order to advance, at the same time notifying the several brigade commanders that there was no