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| The first to reach the battle-field General James S. Negley and Staff. General Negley (standing uncovered in this picture) formed with his division the advance-guard in the forward movement from the Tennessee against Bragg. This picture (taken at Cove Spring, near Stevenson, Alabama, before the advance) shows the arduous character of the country through which the march was made. Crossing the Tennessee at Caperton's Ferry, Negley's division pressed forward, and on September 9th held the passes of Lookout Mountain. Next day, crossing Missionary Ridge, he took up position in McLemore's Cove. This was destined to become the battle-field of Chickamauga, and here Negley's advance was checked. Bragg, instead of being in retreat, was concentrating in his front, eager to crush the corps of Thomas, which he knew had come up too confidently, unsupported by the rest of Rosecrans' army. On the 11th Negley's position became precarious; Bragg was sending against him such a superior force that he was in great danger of losing his train. With great energy and skill, supported by Baird's division, he succeeded in falling back to a strong position in front of Stevens' Gap without the loss of a single wagon. Negley, who was made a major-general for his bravery at Stone's River, was censured by the irascible Rosecrans for his supposed disobedience of orders at Chickamauga. Subsequent investigation completely exonerated him. With only a handful of his men he had saved fifty guns in the rout of the 90th. |
