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

[434] hind Smith's brigade, which was in line with my guns on the hill-top in the rear. My line was retired in as good order as its shattered condition would admit of. Before reaching Smith's line, I was instructed to continue my infantry back to the ordnance wagons for a supply of ammunition. The ammunition replenished, my command again moved forward and bivouacked for the night in line with and on the left of the division, without further engagement of my infantry for the day.

My advanced gun, under the immediate command and efficient management of First Lieutenant Smith, after covering the retiring line with several well-directed shots at short range, was withdrawn to the hill-top and took position with the other three--the battery, by order of the division General, being retained there with the line formed to check the enemy's advance. The service it here rendered in checking and driving back the enemy's advancing line did not occur under my immediate eye, but is reported as brilliant and decisive. The enemy, pressing forward on what he deemed our yielding lines, was met by shot and shell, and then double charges of canister belched in quick succession from four as good guns and, in my judgment, as gallantly and efficiently manned and served as any our service can boast. Three times his lines were broken and shattered before their deadly discharges, and finally he abandoned, in disordered rout, all efforts to capture them. The excellent conduct of Lieutenant Turner and his gallant officers and men on this occasion was but a repetition of their services on the fields of Perryville and Murfreesboro.

The active engagement of my command on Saturday was about three-quarters of an hour in duration and extremely severe. Besides being opposed on all parts by largely superior numbers, two of the enemy's batteries were actively served against it obliquely from the right and left, and ranging principally from the centre to the left of my lines. The loss in this engagement was heavy, including some of the most valuable officers of my command. Colonel McMurray, a gentleman of the noblest qualities and an officer of fine abilities and great gallantry, received a wound in the thickest of the fight, from which he has since died, and Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis and Major Bradshaw, of the same regiment, both officers of great merit, were, in quick succession, severely wounded in the gallant discharge of their duties.

In Turner's battery the loss of officers was two of the four--First-Lieutenant Smith severely wounded, and Second Lieutenant Ingraham killed. Both these officers displayed great gallantry. While the behavior of my entire line was of a character so entirely satisfactory and commendable as to forbid the claim of superiority in conduct of any one part over another, the extreme left, held by the Sixth and Ninth regiments (consolidated), was most exposed, and the chances of the day demanded of this veteran command a bloody sacrifice. It is but a just tribute to say the demand was met by them as became heroes in many battles. Their loss in killed and wounded was over half their number engaged, including among the latter Major Wilder and many other officers of excellent merit.

On Sunday, the twentieth, my command remained in line of battle, with the other brigades of the division, where it had bivouacked the night before, some half a mile to the left of the position of my previous day's engagement, until about two o'clock P. M., when I was ordered to move by the right flank about the distance of a mile, when I was halted for a considerable time, receiving, in this position, some shelling, but sustaining but small loss. Late in the afternoon I was ordered into line with other brigades of the division for a general movement, as I understood, against the enemy's main position near the Chattanooga road. There was at this time sharp firing obliquely to my front and left, and about the time I was in line Brigadier-General Polk, of Cleburne's division, came up, asking for assistance, and stating that his command had gained a portion of the enemy's breast-works, but was engaged in front without support on either flank, adding that if I would advance it would relieve him. I did not feel at liberty to detach myself without instructions from my division commander, but at this moment discovering General Cheatham a short distance to my right, I proceeded to him immediately and gave him the information just received from General Polk, when I was ordered to go to his assistance. On my return General Polk was not present to advise me of the precise position of his command, he having, I suppose, in the meantime rejoined it; but remembering his remark, that I would relieve him by advancing, I moved directly forward. This movement brought me into action, I think, some two or three hundred yards to his right. The order to advance was received by my entire line with an enthusiasm plainly telling that their valor was more stimulated than abated by their severe suffering of the previous day. My line was soon engaged, but the force in front yielded and were driven rapidly back. A fire was, however, opened on my left flank, but the giving way of the enemy in front, and the continued rapid advance of my line caused this to cease, and the enemy delivering it quickly abandoned his position on my left, under the impression, as prisoners stated to me, that our movement would gain his rear. As soon as the firing ceased I commenced re-forming my line, which had become considerably disordered by its rapid movement through thick woods and under-growth. Before this was done I was joined by Wright's brigade, which came forward after me. It was now some time after sunset, and almost entirely dark in the thick woods. Skirmishers and small parties thrown forward for observation reported no enemy in front between me and the Chattanooga road. General Breckinridge's entire command came from towards