The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 30, In Four Parts. Part 2, Reports. Page: 33
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THE CHICKAMAUGA CAMPAIGN.
joined us early next morning. The remaining forces on our extreme
left, east of the Chickamauga, had been ordered up early in the
afternoon, but reached the field too late to participate in the engage-
ment of that day. They were ordered into line on their arrival, and
disposed for a renewal of the.action early the next morning. Infor-
mation was received from Lieutenant-General Longstreet of his
arrival at Ringgold and departure for the field. Five small brigades
of his corps (about 5,000 effective infantry, no artillery) reached us
in time to participate in the action, three of them on the 19th and
two more on the 20th.
Upon the close of the engagement on the evening of the 19th, the
proper commanders were summoned to my camp fire, and there re-
ceived specific information and instructions touching the dispositions
of the troops and for the operations of the next morning. The whole
force was divided for the next morning into two commands and as-
signed to the two senior lieutenant-generals, Longstreet and Polk-
the former to the left, where all his own troops were stationed, the
latter continuing his command of the right. Lieutenant-General
Longstreet reached my headquarters about 11 p. m., and immediately
received his instructions. After a few hours' rest at my camp fire he
moved at daylight to his line, just in front of my position.
Lieutenant-General Polk was ordered to assail the enemy on our
extreme right at day-dawn on the 20th, and to take up the attack in
succession rapidly to the left. The left wing was to await the attack
by the right, take it up promptly when made, and the whole line
was then to be pushed vigorously and persistently against the enemy
throughout its extent.
Before the dawn of day myself and staff were ready for the saddle,
occupying a position immediately in rear of and accessible to all
parts of the line. With increasing anxiety and disappointment I
waited until after sunrise without hearing a gun, and at length dis-
patched a staff officer to Lieutenant-General Polk to ascertain the
cause of the delay and urge him to a prompt and speedy movement.
This officer, not finding the general with his troops, and learning
where he had spent the night, proceeded across Alexander's Bridge
to the east side of the Chickamauga and there delivered my message.
Proceeding in person to the right wing, I found the troops not even
prepared for the movement. Messengers were immediately dis-
patched for Lieutenant-General Polk, and he shortly after joined
me. My orders were renewed, and the general was urged to their
prompt execution, the more important as the ear was saluted through-
out the night with the sounds of the ax and falling timber as the
enemy industriously labored to strengthen his position by hastily
constructed barricades and breastworks. A reconnaissance made in
the front of our extreme right during this delay crossed the main
road to Chattanooga and proved the important fact that this greatly
desired position was open to our possession.
The reasons assigned for this unfortunate delay by the wing com-
mander appear in part in the reports of his subordinates. It is suffi-
cient to say they are entirely unsatisfactory. It also appears from
these reports that when the action was opened on the right about 10
a. m. the troops were moved to the assault in detail and by detach-
ments, unsupported, until nearly all parts of the right wing were in
turn repulsed with heavy losses.
Our troops were led with the greatest gallantry and exhibited great
coolness, bravery, and heroic devotion. In no instance did they fail
3 R R-VOL XXX, PT II33
CHAP. XLII.]
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Errata sheets for the Records of the War of the Rebellion include additions and corrections to the text and the index for Series 1, Volume 30.
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United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 30, In Four Parts. Part 2, Reports., book, 1891; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth152979/m1/50/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.