Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 7.
Frank Moore, Ed.

At forty-five minutes past six P. M., on the same day, I received information from the Commanding General stating that the enemy had evacuated Chattanooga and was retreating southward, and ordering me to move rapidly upon Alpine and Summerville, Ga., in pursuit, to intercept his line of retreat, and attack him in flank.

On September tenth, Post's brigade of Davis's division, was ordered to remain at Winston to guard trains, etc., etc. Johnson marched at five P. M. from Long's Springs, and crossed Lookout Mountain, encamping at the base, near Henderson's. Sheridan's division marched at five A. M. from Stearn's Mills, and encamped at Little River, about two miles and a half from the western crest. Headquarters of the corps were moved to near Alpine, Ga.

On arriving at Alpine, I discovered that the enemy had not retreated very far from Chattanooga, and, not being able to communicate with General Thomas by way of the valley, I despatched couriers by way of Valley Head, and learned, to my surprise, that he had not reached La Fayette as ordered. His reasons for not having reached that place became more apparent as we progressed. Under the circumstances, I did not move upon Summerville as ordered. My corps was isolated at Alpine, and, had it moved upon Summerville, it would have been exposed to the entire rebel army, which reconnoissances soon convinced me was being concentrated at or near La Fayette, Georgia.

On September eleventh, at half-past 9 P. M., I received a communication from General Thomas, reporting his difficulties on the march, and that he could not reach La Fayette until the thirteenth. Believing that no cooperation could take place between General Thomas and myself by way of Broomntown Valley, I ordered all my wagons and materials not necessary for the troops to be returned to the summit of Lookout Mountain, there to await the result of the cavalry reconnoissance sent by General Stanley to ascertain the whereabouts of the enemy. The General Commanding was apprised of my movements and dispositions.

September 12.--My command rested in position near Alpine.

September. 13.--Orders were received from General Thomas at midnight, directing two divisions of my corps to be moved to his support and the other divisions to be left to guard the trains. This order was given by direction of General Rosecrans. It was my desire to join General Thomas by the Mountain road, via Stephens's Gap; but, not having any guide, and all the citizens concurring that no such road existed, and General Thomas also stating that the route by Valley Head was the only practicable one, I determined to join him by it.

A brigade from each division was detailed as a guard from my trains, and General Lytle placed in command. My corps was moved up the mountain at Alpine, Ga., on the night of the thirteenth, and on the night of the fourteenth it was again encamped in Lookout Valley, except the division guarding the trains, which was encamped at Little River, on the mountains.

Sheridan's division marched down Lookout Valley to Johnson's Creek, and encamped at the base of the mountain. Being informed that a good mountain road ran directly from Valley Head to Stevens's Gap, Generals Johnson and Davis were ordered to march on that road with the utmost expedition. By direction of the General Commanding, General Lytle was directed to move with two brigades toward McLemore's Cove to observe Dougherty's Gap.

On the seventeenth, my corps was concentrated in McLemore's Cove, Sheridan being posted at the foot of Stevens's Gap, Davis at Brooks's, in front of Dug Gap, and Johnson at Pond Spring, in front of Catlett's Gap, in Pigeon Mountains. My instructions were to concentrate my commands between Pond Springs and Gower's and Chickamauga Creek. It was impossible for. me to comply with these orders, as General Thomas occupied the ground. My instructions were subsequently modified. On the eighteenth, General Lytle arrived with his two brigades, and on the night of the eighteenth my corps was closed up compactly on the Fourteenth corps, with the exception of Post's brigade, Davis's division, which was, by direction of the General Commanding, ordered to hold Stevens's Gap in Lookout Mountains, at all hazards. Subsequently, Colonel Post was ordered to report to General R. B. Mitchell, commanding the cavalry, and he did not report to General Davis until his arrival at Chattanooga on the morning of the twenty-second.

On September nineteenth, at fifteen minutes past twelve A. M., I was ordered to move down to Crawfish Springs as soon as General Thomas's troops were out of the way. In compliance with this order General Johnson's division marched at early dawn, followed by Davis's and Sheridan's. I arrived at Crawfish Springs at an early hour, and reported in person to the General Commanding, who directed me to mass my troops at that place and await further orders. This was done as my command arrived.

At fifteen minutes past ten A. M. I was ordered to take command of the right and the cavalry, including Negley's division of the Fourteenth corps then observing the fords of the Chickamauga near Crawfish Springs, one brigade of this division being then engaged with the enemy. The same order directed me to send General Johnson's division forward to Widow Glenn's house to report to General Thomas. Immediately afterward I received orders to send General Davis's division to the same point to report to General Thomas or the General Commanding. These orders were at once complied with.

By this time the advance of General Sheridan's division came up, and as soon as he was posted to support the right of Crittenden's corps at Gordon's Mills, General Negley's division was withdrawn from the fords of Chickamauga Creek, and by direction of. the General Commanding, ordered to report to General Thomas, which it did