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on the extreme right, from which the attack was to be taken up, by divisions, successively, to the left.
It was designed to attempt to turn the enemy's left, and force him into McLemore's cove.
During this interview General Polk suggested a larger force than that allowed should be massed upon the right.
He called General Bragg's attention to the inference from the day's fighting — that Rosecrans was accumulating his forces in front of the right wing of the Confederate line.
General Polk further mentioned the fact that Granger's corps was a short distance from Rosecrans's left (four and a half miles) in a position to assail in flank and rear any force that might succeed in turning the Federal left.
But the Commanding General held to the opinion the bulk of the enemy were nearer Lee & Gordon's mills than General Polk supposed.
General Polk returned direct to his quarters at Alexander's bridge.
On the way he met and was accompanied by General Breckenridge, who reported his division as lying near the bridge.
As his men had just come from the extreme left and were much fatigued, General Polk on his request consented that they should rest in an open field, just west of the bridge, but directed him to be in line at dawn.
He then invited General Breckenridge to bivouac with him. * * *
Immediately on reaching his quarters General Polk issued the following order:
* * * * * * * * *Headquarters right wing A. T., (Near Alexander's Bridge), September 19, 1863, 11:30 P. M.Circular. 1st. Lieutenant-General Hill, on the right, will attack the enemy with his corps to-morrow morning at day-light. 2d. Major General Cheatham, on Hill's left, will make a simultaneous attack. 3d. Major-General Walker's corps will act as reserve. Corps and Division commanders will see that their troops are amply supplied with ammunition before daylight. By command ofLieutenant-General Polk, Thos. M. Jack, A. A. General. To Lieutenant-General D. H. Hill, Major-General Cheatham, Major-General Walker.
