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

[471] Brigadier-General B. H. Helm was mortally wounded, heroically doing his duty. Lieutenant-Colonel James W. Hewitt, in advance of his regiment, and showing a devotion and daring entitled to the highest commendation, was killed. Colonel Caldwell was severely wounded, as usual, in his place, doing his duty. Robert C. Anderson, Color-Sergeant Second Kentucky, was killed upon the enemy's works, after having planted his colors thereon. Here fell many another officer and soldier, life images of Kentucky's old, renowned, and valiant soldiers — true men. The blood of her sons also attests Alabama's chivalry and manhood.

As soon as I ascertained the exact position of the left, I caused it to be moved by the right flank to the right, and in advance of where it was then, till the right of the brigade, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Cofer, was met — he having re-crossed the road — when I formed the brigade in line of battle nearly perpendicular to the road and to the enemy's works. About this time I received orders from Lieutenant-General Hill, through one of his staff, not to advance, but to await the arrival of fresh troops. In a short time Gist's brigade attacked the enemy, passing through my lines for that purpose, but was drawn back. Ector's brigade then advanced, but being unable to drive the enemy from his works, finally fell back, leaving this brigade again to confront the enemy. My men, though at this time nearly exhausted by several hours' hard fighting, and suffering greatly for want of water, remained firm, no one leaving his place. After the repulse of the other two brigades, I was ordered to retire several hundred yards to the rear to rest the men, which was done in good order and without confusion.

Late in the afternoon Walker's division advanced against the enemy, a portion of it attacking the same point the left of this brigade did in the morning. Being with my command about four hundred yards in rear at that time, and out of sight of the combatants, I could not see with what result the attack was made, though a short time thereafter Cheatham's division moved to the attack over the same ground — Bright's brigade, of that division, passing through the lines of this brigade. After some time had elapsed, and it appearing from the firing that no appreciable advantage had been gained, this brigade was moved forward, being on the left of the division. In advancing, it was discovered that the centre brigade of the division lapped on mine, making it necessary for me to oblique to the left about two hundred yards. It was also necessary to advance the left more rapidly than the right wing, in order to get on a line more parallel with the enemy. Both these difficult movements were executed while marching through the woods, without any material derangement of the line, the command moving steadily and unfalteringly forward.

Upon arriving in sight of the enemy's fortifications, the brigade rapidly charged upon them, driving them from their stronghold in confusion towards the Chattanooga road. The pursuit was continued across an open field till the road was reached, when, it being dark, I judged it prudent to halt, which met the approval of Lieutenant-General Hill, who, close after us, immediately came up. In passing through the fortifications a number of prisoners were captured and sent to the rear. We also captured two pieces of artillery in the road, which our rapid pursuit of the enemy prevented their carrying off--one Napoleon and one James rifle. The nature of the ground — wood-land — prevented Cobb's battery performing the important part in this action he and his gallant company have so often done, and knew so well how to do — though, in the afternoon, one section, under the gallant and faithful Gracey, was placed in position under General Forrest. I refer you to Captain Cobb's report for an account of their behavior on that occasion.

I am not enabled to state the exact number engaged in the actions of the nineteenth and twentieth. But one thousand three hundred is the approximate number of officers and men, including Cobb's battery. The whole number of casualties was sixty-three killed and four hundred and eight wounded.

It would afford me pleasure to designate, by name, the officers and men who so gallantly fought on these two occasions, for, with very few exceptions, all did their duty. But to do so would swell this report to an inordinate size. However, I feel it to be my duty, and take pleasure in the performance of it, to call attention to the conduct of the field officers of the different regiments. Lieutenant-Colonel Cofer, in command of the Sixth, after I took command of the brigade; Major Clark, of the same regiment; Major Thompson, in command of the Fourth, after Colonel Nuckolls was wounded; Captain Millett, senior Captain, acting field officer, of the same regiment, and Major Nash, in command of the seven companies of the Forty-first Alabama, all came under my observation. In each I remarked constancy, gallantry, and coolness. In the afternoon, Colonel Stansell, of the Forty-first; Lieutenant-Colonel Wickliffe, in command of the Ninth, after Colonel Caldwell was wounded, and Captain Gillam, acting field officer, of the same regiment, attracted my notice, and but confirmed the good account I had of them in the morning. Captain Lee, of the Second Kentucky, though too unwell to endure the fatigue throughout the day, acted as field officer with his accustomed bravery in the charges made by the left in the morning.

It is the highest praise I can possibly bestow on the officers of the brigade, to say they proved themselves, in nearly every case, worthy of their commands.

Of the staff of Brigadier-General Helm, I take pleasure in bearing testimony in behalf of, and making special mention of, Captain Fayette Hewitt, Assistant Adjutant-General. As soon as he was enabled to do so, he reported to me, and throughout the entire action, after the death