The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 30, In Four Parts. Part 1, Reports. Page: 38
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38 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., N. ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. XLII.
tect it from an attack by Banks' army. But as there was no real
danger of such an attack at that moment, it was more probably on
its way to re-enforce Bragg's army. But the time of its arrival was
uncertain, as we had no reliable information of its departure from
Richmond. We knew that Bragg had been re-enforced by troops
sent by Johnston from Mississippi, and it was afterward ascertained
that the rebel authorities had falsely declared as exchanged and re-
leased from parole the prisoners of war captured by Grant and Banks
at Vicksburg and Port Hudson. This shameless violation of the
cartel, and of the well-established usages of civilized warfare, was
resorted to by the enemy in order to swell the numbers of Bragg's
army in the approaching conflict.
General Rosecrans' troops were at this time scattered along an ex-
tended line from Gordon's Mills to Alpine, a distance of some 40
miles. By the 17th they were brought more within supporting dis-
tance, and on the morning of the 18th a concentration was begun
toward Crawfish Spring, but slowly executed.
The battle of Chickamauga commenced on the morning of the
19th, McCook's corps forming the right of our line of battle, Crit-
tenden's the center, and Thomas' the left. The enemy first attacked
our left with heavy masses, endeavoring to turn it, so as to occupy
the road to Chattanooga ; but all their efforts proved abortive. The
center was next assailed, and temporarily driven back; but being
promptly re-enforced, maintained its ground. As night approached,
the battle ceased, and the combatants rested on their arms.
The attack was furiously renewed on the morning of the 20th,
against our left and center. Division after division was pushed for-
ward to resist the attacking masses of the enemy, when, according
to General Rosecrans' report, General Wood, overlooking the di-
rection-
To " close up " on Reynolds, supposed he was to support him by withdrawing
from the line and passing in the rear of General Brannan.
By this unfortunate mistake a gap was opened in the line of battle, of which the
enemy took instant advantage, and, striking Davis in flank and rear, threw his
whole division into confusion.
General Wood claims that the orders he received were of such a
character as to leave him no option but to obey them in the manner
he did. Pouring in through this break in our line, the enemy cut
off our right and right center, and attacked Sheridan's division,
which was advancing to the support of our left. After gallant but
fruitless efforts against this rebel torrent, he was compelled to give
way, but afterward rallied a considerable portion of his force, and,
by a circuitous route, joined General Thomas, who now had to breast
the tide of battle against the whole rebel army. Our right and part
of the center had been completely broken and fled in confusion from
the field, carrying with them toward Chattanooga their command-
ers, Generals McCook and Crittenden, and also General Rosecrans,
who was on that part of the line. His chief of staff, General Gar-
field, however, made his way to the left and joined General Thomas,
who still remained immovable in his position. His line had assumed
a crescent form, with its flanks supported by the lower spurs of the
mountain, and here, like a lion at bay, he repulsed the terrible on-
sets of the enemy. About half past 3 p. m. the enemy discovered
a gap in the hills in the rear of his right flank, and Longstreet com-
menced pouring his massive column through the opening. At this
critical moment Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, who had been posted
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Errata sheets for the Records of the War of the Rebellion include additions and corrections to the text and the index for Series 1, Volume 30.
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United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 30, In Four Parts. Part 1, Reports., book, 1890; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth152978/m1/49/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.