Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/382

 Battle of Chickamauga. 381

During this charge, which was truly heroic, our loss was severe. Several valuable officers were killed and wounded. Generals Brown and Clayton were each struck by spent grape, temporarily disabling the former, and General Bate and several of his staff had their horses killed, the second lost by General Bate that morning. After re- maining long enough to reform the lines, to replenish ammunition and rest the men, the command again advanced to the cornfield mentioned above, then moved by the right flank until it formed across a ridge, which extended obliquely to the front and right. The enemy were still in position behind a breastwork of logs a few hundred yards in front of us, and General Buckner coming up, I understood it to be his wish that I should not then attempt to go forward, but to await orders.

In the meantime a severe struggle was going on to the right and left of the field, in one corner of which, near the Chattanooga road, stood Kelly's house.

About 5 P. M., an order reached me by an officer of General Longstreet's staff, to move forward upon the enemy. Brown's brigade, now commanded by Colonel Cook, of the Thirty-second Tennessee, was directed to support the artillery placed in position on a hill in the cornfield to our left, and Clayton's and Bate's brigades, in the order named, advanced with a cheer and at a double quick upon the enemy's defences. The enemy gave way, utterly routed, our men dashed over their breastworks pursuing to the edge of the open ground or field around the "Kelly house," where we halted, capturing three or four hundred prisoners, among whom was Major Beattie, of the regular army. A prisoner, brought up before the charge was made, stated that the position was held by the division of the Federal General Reynolds. The Eufala Battery was brought up and fired the last shots at the retreating foe, who, being taken in flank by our attack, fled from their position in front of the division on our right.

During the night and next morning several thousand stands of small arms, accoutrements, &c., and a large quantity of ammunition .were collected by my division, a large portion of which was removed by our ordnance wagons.

The subjoined statement shows our total loss in the three brigades during Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday.

Among these were several officers of eminent worth and services, whose names are mentioned in the reports of brigade commanders. I desire to express my high appreciation of Brigadier- Generals