Joseph T. Derry , A. M. , Author of School History of the United States; Story of the Confederate War, etc., Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 6, Georgia
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

But the main strength of Georgia in the right wing was in Gist's and Wilson's brigades of Walker's division. This division, which also included Ector's brigade, was commanded by Gist, and the latter's brigade by Col. Peyton H. Colquitt. Joined to Liddell's division— Govan's Arkansas brigade and Walthall's Mississippians —the reserve corps was formed, which was commanded by Maj.-Gen. W. H. T. Walker, one of Georgia's most valorous sons. As before noted, Walker and his corps were on the Federal side of Chickamauga creek Friday night. Early next morning the battle was opened by the attack on Forrest and Wilson's Georgians and Ector's brigade, who were supporting him. Wilson's brigade was immediately under a destructive fire, to which it replied with such vigor as to break the enemy's first line. Pressing forward after a bloody struggle, the second line was forced, and finally the Georgians stood facing the breastworks under a galling fire. Then being flanked by Federal reinforcements, the brigade was forced back, but the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-ninth regiments soon afterward joined in the advance of Ector's brigade. About noon on Sunday the brigade was ordered forward again, but only to suffer heavy loss. On the evening of Sunday it bivouacked on the Federal position. The brigade carried into the fight 1,200 men and lost 99 killed, 426 wounded and 80 missing, or over half its number. Lieut.-Col. A. J. Williams, Twenty-fifth regiment, a brave and gallant officer, received wounds from which he died. Capts. A. W. and A. H. Smith, Twenty-fifth; Captain Spencer, Twenty-ninth, and Lieuts. Alfred Bryan and N. B. Sadler, First battalion sharpshooters; and A. H. Harrell, Twenty-ninth, though wounded, fought the battle to the end. Lieuts. Robert Wayne and R. E. Lester, of Colonel Wilson's staff, were conspicuous in the combat, riding fearlessly wherever called by duty,