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

[428] under Colonel Finley, also moved forward to Colonel Kelly's support. It was now nearly night, and the importance of completing the day's work, thus far so handsomely accomplished by the left wing, was apparent to all. Kelly made a most vigorous attack, supported as above, and succeeded in occupying a portion of the heights from which he had driven the enemy. Night, at this time, put an end to further pursuit. Every preparation was now made for a renewal of the conflict early the next morning.

At eleven o'clock P. M., of, the twentieth, Major-General Hindman sent for me and turned over to me the command of the division, which he had assumed the evening previous, having received a contusion which disabled him from further service at that time, and here my connection with the brigade ceased, the command thereof devolving upon Colonel J. H. Sharp, of the Forty-fourth Mississippi regiment. The light of the morning of the twenty-first disclosed the fact that the enemy had, under cover of darkness, hastily withdrawn towards Chattanooga, from a field in which he had been so severely but justly punished.

In the first charge, after moving up to General Deas' line, which had been checked near the base of a range of wooded hills west of the Chattanooga road, the brigade captured three pieces of artillery, killing many of the cannoneers at their guns, and taking others prisoners. A little further on, and to the left, the Forty-first Mississippi, my left regiment, captured a battery of five guns, among which were several fine rifled pieces. Several stands of colors were also taken during the day. No note was taken of the number of prisoners captured by the brigade. They were immediately ordered to the rear without guard or escort. Nine ordnance wagons, loaded with fixed ammunition, several mules and horses, etc., etc., were also taken and turned over to the proper officers.

I cannot close this brief recital of facts, connected with the operations of the brigade I had the honor to command on the twentieth, without testifying to the officers and troops my high appreciation of the valor, courage, and skill displayed by them on this memorable field. Without a single exception, so far as my knowledge at this time extends, they have borne themselves gallantly and added fresh laurels to those so nobly won upon the former fields of Shiloh, Munfordsville, Perryville, and Murfreesboro. To the regimental, battalion, and battery commanders, individually, my thanks are due, for their zealous, vigorous, and unremitting efforts throughout the whole day to make the battle a decisive one. For instances of individual gallantry, conspicuous above others, I refer to the reports of subordinate commanders, herewith transmitted.

The brigade numbered one hundred and fifty-six officers and one thousand seven hundred and nine enlisted men on the morning of the twentieth; the loss was five hundred and fifty-eight, of whom eighty were killed, four hundred and fifty-four wounded, and twenty-four missing. Among the killed I regret to record the name of Major John C. Thompson, of the Forty-fourth Mississippi regiment. A man of education and position at home, of an age far beyond that prescribed by the laws of the land for involuntary service, at the first tocsin of war he enlisted in the ranks, and fought as a private in the ranks at Belmont and Shiloh, having been severely wounded at the latter. His gallantry and services marked him before the men of his State for promotion, which he soon after received, and commanded his regiment, with his usual gallantry, at the battle of Murfreesboro. On the memorable field of the Chickamauga his devotion to the cause of his country has been sealed with the blood of a patriot.

I am, Major, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Captain: In obedience to orders from division headquarters, I respectfully submit the following report of the part taken by my brigade, composed of the following regiments, from left to right: Third and Fifth Confederate, commanded by Colonel J. A. Smith; First Arkansas, Colonel J. W. Colquitt; Second Tennessee, commanded by Colonel W. D. Robinson; Forty-eighth Tennessee, commanded by Colonel G. H. Nixon; and Thirty-fifth Tennessee, commanded by Colonel B. J. Hill, and Calvert's. battery, commanded by Lieutenant S. J. Key, in the battle of the nineteenth and twentieth of September, on Chickamauga Creek:

On Saturday morning, the nineteenth September, my brigade rested in line of battle on the right of Cleburne's division, which formed the extreme left of the army of Tennessee. About one o'clock P. M., I received orders to move in the direction of the right of the army. The necessary orders were immediately given, and my brigade commenced moving down Chickamauga Creek, wading the creek at Tete's Ford, and, moving on, was placed in position some three hundred yards in rear of Liddell's division, on the extreme right of the army. The other brigades of Cleburne's division following were placed in position on the prolongation of my left. In this move, some eight miles, from the left to the right of the army, although expeditiously performed, some hours were taken. About five and a half o'clock P. M., I received orders from General Cleburne to move my brigade forward, to pass over Liddell's division in our front, and engage and drive the enemy before us. My brigade was immediately moved forward, and having passed Liddell's division some