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

[405] from Rossville, we found the enemy fortifying the gap; dismounted Colonel Dibrell's regiment, under command of Captain McGunns, and attacked them, but found the force too large to dislodge them. On the arrival of my artillery, it opened on and fought them for several hours, but could not move them.

We held possession of the ridge during the night, and on Tuesday moved down from Mission Ridge into the Chattanooga Valley, driving the enemy into the woods, and advancing on the Lafayette road beyond Watkins' farm, and holding position there until the arrival of Kershaw's brigade. My command was kept in line of battle during the night at Silrey's Ford, on the Tennessee River.

On Wednesday twenty-third, with McDonald's battalion, I gained the point of Lookout Mountain. My troops, being gradually relieved by infantry, were ordered to the rear, and went into camp at and near Bird's Mills, with orders issued to cook up rations and shoe the horses as rapidly as possible.

On Friday morning, the twenty-fifth, I received orders to move with my entire command to meet the forces of Burnside at or near Harrison, which order was immediately obeyed. Having proceeded as far as Chattanooga Station, a second courier came up with an order to proceed via Cleveland to Charleston and disperse the enemy at that place, and, if necessary, to cross the-----River. I reached Cleveland that night, and went to Charleston next morning; found the enemy on the opposite side of the river. I moved up my artillery, and after a sharp cannonading, drove them off and threw my cavalry across the river. From prisoners captured, found the force opposite Charleston, and retreating, was a mounted brigade commanded by Colonel Byrd. Learning also that Wolford's Federal cavalry was encamped at Cedar Springs, three miles from Athens, it was deemed necessary to follow, which was done rapidly, fighting them repeatedly and driving them before us. Their last stand was made at Philadelphia, when Wolford's brigade was put to flight by the advance of Armstrong's division, under Colonel Dibrell. Receiving orders to return at once, I withdrew my command back to Charleston, ordering General Davidson, with his division, and General Armstrong, with his brigade, to report to General Wheeler at Cotton Port Ferry. Our loss in the expedition to East Tennessee was four men wounded and two captured. We killed and wounded about twenty of the enemy, and sent one hundred and twenty prisoners to Dalton.

In closing this report, I desire to pay a just tribute to my officers and men for their gallantry and uncomplaining endurance of all the fatigues and dangers incident to the movements and engagements set forth in this report. The charges made by Armstrong's division (while fighting on foot) in the battle of Chickamauga would be creditable to the best drilled infantry. The officers of my staff have, as on many previous occasions, discharged all duties with promptness and fidelity.

I am, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

P. S.--As soon as official reports can be obtained from General Armstrong's and General Davidson's divisions they will be forwarded. Our losses cannot at present be estimated.

Respectfully, etc.,

Major: In obedience to orders, I have the honor to make the following report of the recent combats of my command with the enemy:

The first of these occurred near Graysville, on the tenth instant, when, being out on a reconnoissance with the Sixth Georgia cavalry (Colonel Hart), it was reported the enemy had thrown himself between Colonel Scott and myself. Deeming the opening of communication with Scott most important, I ordered Colonel Hart to charge the enemy with two companies of his command. This he most gallantly did, and brought out fifty-nine prisoners-being the skirmishers of Palmer's division — from within sight of the masses of the enemy. The second engagement with the energy was on the twelfth instant, near Leet's tan-yard, where we fought for two hours Wilder's lightning brigade of mounted infantry. My force engaged in this fight was the Sixth Georgia and Rucker's legion. It would be impossible to pay too high a tribute to the daring gallantry of my small force in this unequal conflict with the picked brigade of General Crittenden's corps. For a time the fight was almost literally hand to hand. I was forced back only about four hundred yards, which point I held during the night. My loss in this fight was fifty killed and wounded, numbering some of my most valuable young officers. A correct list of killed and wounded will be forwarded. Our next meeting with the foe was on Saturday, the nineteenth instant, on the memorable field of “the Chickamauga.” Brigadier-General Davidson, having reported for duty, was assigned to the command of my old brigade. He was ordered to take position near Reed's saw mill. Before reaching it, he met and drove before him the enemy's pickets, capturing a few of them. Some time after this skirmish, whilst General Forrest and I were in front examining the roads, General Davidson was attacked suddenly upon his left. Hurrying back, I found it somewhat difficult, aided by General Davidson and all my officers, to get the command in a proper position to repel the fierce attacks of the enemy's infantry. All the available force was soon, however, well posted, under the general direction of