Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/319

 Battle of Chickamauga. 307

ern angle of the breastworks in its front, but, having to cross an open field swept by an oblique fire, was repulsed with fearful loss, leaving over 600 killed and wounded in ten minutes' time.

Deshler was then thrown forward to fill the gap left by the repulse of Wood, and before he had fairly begun his charge, a three-inch shell passed through his body.

Cleburne, finding that he was confronted by an enormous force, withdrew and reformed. In the meantime Helm's Brigade had been equally cut up, and the situation seemed critical.

Breckinridge was being hard pressed. Hill sent Colquitt's Bri- gade to receive the pressure, but the noble Georgians came quickly under a most destructive fire from the front and flank that killed or wounded more than a third of the fellows, while Colquitt fell mortally wounded. Every field officer in the brigade was killed or wounded,, save one. Ector's, Wilson's and Walthall's Brigades were sent to the support of General Polk, and encountered an overwhelming force, before which they had to give way with heavy loss. It will, therefore, be seen that after an hour's gallant fighting nothing had been accomplished on the right but the fearful loss of some of the best soldiers of any age.

Clayton and Bates had been so cut up they also had to retire and reform.

Preston, in the meantime, with his division, Stewart's, Trigg's, Gracie's and Kelly's Brigades and Johnson's Division on his left, with- Breckinridge and Forrest on the right, moved forward like a mighty current, and striking the Federals, strongly intrenched around the Brotherton's house, swept them away, and, pressing the advantage, drove the enemy precipitately and headlong to flight. This was the first ray of light to the gallant Confederates. Pushing ahead, keeping his force well in hand, Johnson passed through a wood and entered an open field, over which the Federals were fall- ing back in disorder. The enemy had planted several batteries very favorably on the little hills which bore on the noble ranks as they dashed forward in pursuit. The writer heard General Stewart say that " the scene at this moment was the most brilliant and exciting he witnessed during the war." The impetuous charge, the rush and yell of the columns as they swept out of the woods into the field, the artillery, and men on horseback, dashing onward with the recklessness of desperation, the dust and smoke, the bursting of shells, the swish of grape-shot, all combined to make a battle scene of unsurpassed grandeur. The wildest enthusiam now took posses-