Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/409

 408 Southern Historical Society Pa,pers.

desperate struggle of the Northern army was made at the battle of Chickamauga.

Gregg's and Johnson's brigades, followed by Dent's and Everett's batteries, advanced in line towards the north, the left passing over the wagons, caissons and pieces of artillery near Villetoe's house and reaching to the Crawfish road. There were a number of wounded Federals at Villetoe's house. The ladies of the family, who had taken shelter from danger on Saturday and Sunday beneath the floor, now burst forth and greeted our soldiers with slapping of hands and shouts of joy, presenting an impressive scene. The brow of the secondary spurs north of Villetoe's house was gained without resistance by Gregg's and Johnson's brigades, and by Anderson's, which had come up on our right during our advance. The line was then halted, the alignment connected, and the two regiments of Gregg's brigade, which were formed on the left of my line in the morning, now returned to their brigade. Four of Dent's Napoleon guns and Everett's battery, of three guns, were placed in position on the spur occupied by Johnson's brigade, and two pieces of Dent's battery were placed upon the hill with Gregg's brigade. There was now no support on the left of Johnson's brigade, though Deas's brigade was every moment expected there. A few minutes before two o'clock P. M., after the artillery had opened fire, the order was given to advance from this position with a view of gaining the main crest of the ridge in our front, which was some one thousand yards distant on our left, but much nearer on our right on account of its curvature to the south in the middle. The enemy opened fire upon our left before it advanced one hundred yards. Our movement was, however, continued for a time, until my left formed a position in which it was enabled to hold the enemy in check. But the Federals moved up on our flank along a secondary spur, which united at the elevation at the west end of the main ridge with that upon which Johnson's brigade was fighting, and this movement was held in check some time by our troops firing obliquely to the left.

The advance of Brigadier- General Anderson on our extreme right was a gallant and impetuous charge. It encountered a heavy force of the enemy posted in a strong position, from which they poured a volume of fire that speedily repulsed the charge. Gregg's brigade gained the crest of the ridge after a sharp contest, driving the foe down the northern slope of the ridge and delivering a damaging fire in the retreating masses; but the enemy returned to the attack, and