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[407] ordered me to withdraw my command to the top of the ridge, and on the next morning to this place.

It is impossible to state the loss of the enemy, but, from all information obtained, their loss in killed and wounded on the nineteenth amounted to over one hundred, besides one of General Whittaker's staff officers and seven privates prisoners. My entire prisoners amount to four commissioned officers and thirty privates. On the twenty-second I captured about seventy-five fine rifles for my unarmed men.

My own loss foots up as follows: In the Seccond Tennessee — Killed: officers, two; privates, three. Wounded: officers, one; men, thirteen. In the Fifth Tennessee cavalry--Killed: men, two. Wounded: officers,two; privates,twelve. In the detachment of General Morgan's command — Killed: three men. Wounded: officers, one; men, six. In the First Louisiana, one man wounded; and in the Louisiana battery, three men wounded and fifteen horses killed. Total killed, two officers and eight men. Wounded: officers, four; men, thirty-five. Total loss, forty-nine.

Of the conduct of both officers and men I cannot speak too highly. All displayed the utmost bravery and gallantry. When every one did so well, it is impossible to particularize individual instances of gallantry, but in the death of Captain Ford and Lieutenant Crozier, Second Tennessee cavalry, I have lost two brave and gallant officers, whose places it will be most difficult to fill.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

J. L. Scott, Colonel, commanding Brigade of Cavalry.


Report of Brigadier-General B. R. Johnson, commanding division.

headquarters Chattanooga, October 24, 1863.
Major-General Sellers, Assistant Adjutant-General:
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the division under my command in the action of the Chickamauga:

At five o'clock A. M., September eighteenth, 1863, four brigades and three batteries of artillery from Catoosa Station, and vicinity of Ringgold, Georgia, moved, under my command, with orders from headquarters Army of Tennessee, to proceed via Pleasant Grove Church to Leet's Tan-yard. Law's brigade, under Colonel Sheffield, not having cooked its rations, was ordered to do so, and follow as promptly as possible. Benning's brigade was left, in compliance with orders, to guard the depot at Ringgold. My command then consisted of the following brigades, which moved in the order in which they are named, viz.: Johnson's, McNair's, Gregg's, and Robertson's, with batteries, Everett's, Culpeper's, and Bledsoe's, in the centre, and trains in rear of their respective brigades. The head of the column had not proceeded more than three miles on the road when a dispatch was received from Colonel Brent, headquarters Army of Tennessee, directing me, with the forces under my command, to retrace my steps to the vicinity of Ringgold, and there to take the direct road to Reed's Bridge and to make alodgment on the west bank of the Chickamauga, Forrest's cavalry covering the front and right flanks of my column on the march from Ringgold. The command was promptly put on the new line of march, and soon after I received orders and the plan of operations, by which I was directed, as commander of the right column of the Army of Tennessee, to attack the enemy in my front, in whatever force I might find them, and, after crossing Reed's Bridge, to turn to the left by the most practicable route and sweep up the Chickamauga, toward Lee and Gordon's Mill, while Major-Generals Walker and Buckner, crossing at Alexander's Bridge and Ledford's Ford, were directed to join in my movement. The orders and plans of operations indicated that the attack on the enemy's left wing was expected to be initiated by the column under my command.

About eleven o'clock A. M., in compliance with orders previously received, I halted the column near Kuler's Mill, on the Graysville and Lafayette road, four and a half miles from the former place. Captain Thompson, Assistant Chief of Artillery of General Bragg's staff, reported to me at this point, with orders to move forward immediately, and through him my arrival and the hour thereof was reported to headquarters Army of Tennessee.

Being informed by citizens that the enemy were about one mile in advance, I formed a line of battle along the road — McNair's, Johnson's, and Gregg's brigades in front, batteries in position, and Robertson's brigade in reserve. While forming the line, Brigadier-General Forrest joined me with his escort, and proceeded to the front to develop the position of the enemy, and was soon skirmishing with them. Just as my line was formed, Major Robertson came up from the direction of Lafayette and reported to me, with eight pieces of artillery. My line of skirmishers in front was now promptly advanced to Peavine Creek, which offered some obstructions to regular movements, and caused some delay in crossing the troops. Captain McDonald, of the Seventeenth Tennessee regiment, opened fire with his company upon the enemy's pickets, about one hundred and eighty yards west of the creek, and repulsed a charge of their reserve, which was made down the road to the creek. Major Robertson placed some four pieces of artillery from his own command and a section of Everett's battery in position, and opened upon the enemy, part of whom were dismounted, driving them back, with a section of artillery, which they had posted in good position. As soon as the command could cross the creek, the line, preserving its formation, with Robertson's brigade supporting, .McNair's on the right, was pressed forward to the top of the hill, dislodging


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