Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 12.djvu/390

 380 Southern Historical Society Papers.

failed. He then had his forces disposed as follows : Hindman's and Walker's divisions, with Buckner's corps and Cleburn's division of Hill's corps — five divisions in all, some 25,000 men — were in McLemore's Cove. Polk, with Cheatham's division — some 7,000 more — was at Anderson's house, four miles south of Gordon's Mills, while Breckenridge's division was at Lafayette, some twelve or more miles to the south again of Gordon's Mills. The relation of the three corps of the enemy to the position of Bragg's force, in the Cove and at Anderson's, was then as follows :

McCook was far away to the south of Lafayette, near Alpine, and Thomas to the west, well out of reach on the top of Lookout Moun- tain, while Crittenden, completely isolated, was to the east and north, near Ringgold and Gordon's Mills. Two of Crittenden's divisions — Vancleveand Palmer — camped at Ringgold that night; the remaining division — Wood's — camped the same night at Gordon's Mills, west of the Chickamauga. Crittenden's entire force, including Wilder' s mounted infantry, was some 16,000 men, less by 15,000 than the force of Confederates that lay between him and the remainder of the Federal army. To secure him it was necessary for General Bragg, immediately after Hindman's failure, only to face about and march towards him.

If one did not refer to the map, in reading General Bragg's official report (page 55, vol. II, Southern Historical Society Papers), he would infer that this was the movement next attempted ; for, after speak- ing of the failure in the Cove, he says : " Our movement having failed in its justly anticipated results, it was determined to turn upon the third corps of the enemy, approaching us from the direction of Chata- nooga. The forces were accordingly withdrawn to Lafayette, and Polk's and Walker's corps were moved immediately in the direction of Lee and Gordon's Mills." In other words, the withdrawal to La- fayette was a necessary part of the movement of Polk and Walker in the direction of Lee and Gordon's Mills. This is clearly the inter- pretation to be put upon General Bragg's statement — the one he in- tended.

If the extract is a full statement of General Bragg's designs imme- diately after Hindman's failure, a glance at any good map of the State of Georgia will show how much useless marching was done by the forces that he wished to use against Crittenden.

Polk lay at Anderson's, four miles from the Mills ; Hindman and Walker were in McLemore's Cove. Polk was marched to Lafayette and then marched back to his original position. Hindman and