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.

‘ [248] the commander of the right column (Polk) was several times urged to press forward, his crossing was not effected until late in the afternoon.’ Johnson reported that he left the vicinity of Ringgold at 5 a. m. with the brigades of Johnson, McNair, Gregg and Robertson, leaving Law's and Benning's brigades, which had just arrived, to cook rations before following. After marching three miles he was ordered back to take another road, which brought him to Peeler's mill about 11 a. m. Forrest's cavalry, assisted by infantry, then pushed back the Federal cavalry of Minty across the bridge, but it was not until 3 p. m. that the command began crossing the Chickamauga at Reed's bridge. At this moment Gen. John B. Hood arrived and a little later took command of the column. These four brigades, the only Confederate commands to cross that day, marched down within two miles of Lee & Gordon's mill, confronting the north flank of the Federal army, and slept there that night on their arms, while Thomas was marching past to Kelly's farm. General Walker's passage at Alexander's bridge was contested by Federal cavalry, who destroyed the bridge before they were driven away, compelling Walker to cross that night at Byram's ford. He then reported to General Hood.

On the morning of the 19th, a line of battle was formed with Buckner's left resting on the creek about a mile below Lee & Gordon's mill, next Hood with his own and Johnson's divisions, and Walker on the extreme north. To reserve Cheatham's division of Polk's corps was formed as it crossed.

Soon after getting into position at Kelly's with two divisions, about 9 a. m. of the 19th, Thomas was told that there was but one brigade of Confederates across the river, and he ordered Brannan to seek the lone brigade and capture it. Croxton's brigade of Brannan's moving toward Reed's bridge, drove back Forrest's cavalry upon Ector's and Wilson's small brigades, and these charged