Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 11.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

[172] were not up yet. General McLaws's had not arrived from Richmond. I set to work to have the line adjusted by closing to the right, in order to occupy some vacant ground between the two wings, and to make room for Hood in the front line. The divisions were ordered to form with two brigades in the front line, and one supporting where there were but three brigades, and two supporting where there were more than three. General Hood was ordered to take the brigades of Kershaw and Humphreys and use them as supports for his division, thus making his division the main column of attack. Before these arrangements were completed, the attack was made by our right wing about 10 o'clock. The battle seemed to rage with considerable fury, but did not progress as had been anticipated. As soon as I was prepared, I sent to the Commanding General to suggest that I had probably better make my attack. Before the messenger returned, I heard that the Commanding General had sent orders for the Division Commanders to move forward and attack. 1 had no time to find the officer who brought the order, as some of the troops were in motion when I heard of it. Upon this information, I at once issued orders to attack to the troops not already in motion, holding one of Buckner's divisions (Preston's) in reserve. As the battle upon our right was not so successful as had been expected in the plan of attack, I was obliged to reverse the order of battle, by retaining my right somewhere near the left of the right wing. To do this, Stewart's division was obliged to halt upon reaching the Lafayette and Chattanooga road. Hood's column broke the enemy's line near the Brotherton house, and made its wheel to the right. In making this movement, Major-General Hood fell severely, and it was feared mortally wounded, by a minnie ball breaking his thigh. He had broken the enemy's line, however, and his own troops and those to his right and left continued to press the enemy with such spirit and force, that he could not resist us.

Brigadier-General Law succeeded to the command of Hood's division, and Brigadier-General Kershaw to the command of the two brigades of McLaws's division. General Kershaw having received no definite orders himself, (being under the command of General Hood), and was not advised of the wheel to the right, had gained more ground to the front than was intended in the movement of his two brigades. Johnson's division followed the movement made by Hood, and gained the Crawfish Spring and Chattanooga road, having a full share in the conflict.

Major-General Hindman, in command of my left division, first met the enemy near the Vineyard house, and drove him back upon his