Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/316

 304 Southern Historical Society Papers.

Cheatham's Division of Folk's Corps had been ordered from Dalton's Ford to re-enforce Walker. Cheatham hastened to the right and took position astraddle the road from Alexander's Bridge.

Cheatham at once advanced his Tennesseans, and they were soon engaged with the counter movement which had pressed Walker and Forrest back. Thomas and Crittenden's Corps were now in this quarter of the field, where a fiery, fluctuating conflict raged for sev- eral hours.

At one time the Federals were driven back fully three-quarters of a mile, when they were strongly re-enforced and rolled the Confed- erates back.

Meanwhile, Cleburne's Division of Hill's Corps had been held eastward of the Chickamauga until nearly night, when he was or- dered to report to General Polk, who instructed him to form in rear of his right.

It was now about 6 o'clock, but Cleburne was ordered to advance and attack, over the ground so lately, so frequently and so obsti- nately contended for, and Cheatham also moved forward in concert.

A furious tempest of shot and shell rained upon that advancing host of immortals, and for half an hour the firing was as heavy as was ever known. Darkness came on, and the aim of each adver- sary was directed by the flash of his opponent's gun.

Finally two fresh brigades were sent to the support of Cleburne and Cheatham, and the enemy gave way, leaving twelve pieces of cannon, some 600 prisoners, and four stands of colors in the Con- federates' hands.

Here General Preston Smith fell a great loss to our cause an officer who had no superior in that army for shining courage, while none of his grade excelled him in the qualities of a commander.

With him also fell his Adjutant-General, Captain John Donelson, and his Aide, Captain Thomas H. King.

Cleburne never halted to readjust his lines until he had driven the Federals more than a mile, where he and Cheatham bivouacked upon their arms.

There had been fighting elsewhere, also, although the main con- flict was as we have described.

Preston's Division of Buckner's Corps, and Hood's two divis- ions, Johnson's and Law's, were drawn up in line on the crest of a ridge about a thousand yards east of Vinyard's house from early morning until about 4 P. M., when their skirmish line was drawn in.