[454] Reserve corps. During the first day's battle Croxton's brigade of Brannan's Federal division met Forrest's cavalry on the Reed's bridge road and drove it back upon the two small infantry brigades of Ector and Wilson. These advanced with the ‘rebel yell,’ pushed Croxton back, captured his battery, and then in turn were driven back by the forces of Brannan and Baird. The fighting of the first day was disjointed, and hence nothing decisive was accomplished. But the second day's work was very different. The Confederate troops were well in hand, and though Thomas made a bold resistance, the rout of the Federal right was decisive of the battle, and the night of September 20th came down upon one of the most complete Confederate victories of the war, the brilliancy of which was not dimmed by the fact that the failure to follow it up properly prevented the reaping of its legitimate fruits. The good conduct of Wilson in this battle caused his promotion, and he was commissioned brigadier-general on the 16th of November, 1863. He did not, however, long enjoy his honors; for on the 24th of the same month he died, leaving to his State the precious legacy of a noble record of valor and devotion to duty.
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[454] Reserve corps. During the first day's battle Croxton's brigade of Brannan's Federal division met Forrest's cavalry on the Reed's bridge road and drove it back upon the two small infantry brigades of Ector and Wilson. These advanced with the ‘rebel yell,’ pushed Croxton back, captured his battery, and then in turn were driven back by the forces of Brannan and Baird. The fighting of the first day was disjointed, and hence nothing decisive was accomplished. But the second day's work was very different. The Confederate troops were well in hand, and though Thomas made a bold resistance, the rout of the Federal right was decisive of the battle, and the night of September 20th came down upon one of the most complete Confederate victories of the war, the brilliancy of which was not dimmed by the fact that the failure to follow it up properly prevented the reaping of its legitimate fruits. The good conduct of Wilson in this battle caused his promotion, and he was commissioned brigadier-general on the 16th of November, 1863. He did not, however, long enjoy his honors; for on the 24th of the same month he died, leaving to his State the precious legacy of a noble record of valor and devotion to duty.
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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