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: 62
x, 1166 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
62 KY., SW, VA.. TENN., MISS., N. ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. XLII.
OUR ARTILLERY
fired fewer shots than at Stone's River, but with even greater effect.
I cannot but congratulate the country on the rapid improvement
evidenced in this arm of the service. Our loss of pieces is, in part,
attributable to the rough, wooded ground in which we fought, and
the want of experience in posting artillery, and partly to the un-
equal nature of the contest, our infantry being heavily outnum-
bered.
For the details of these actions, the innumerable instances of dis-
tinguished bravery, skill, and gallantry displayed by officers of
every rank, and, above all, for self-reliant, cool, and steady courage
displayed by the soldiers of the army, in all arms, in many instances
even shining above that of their officers, I must refer to the accom-
panying reports of the corps, division, brigade, regimental, and bat-
tery commanders. The reports of the cavalry command are not in,
for the best of all reasons, that they have been out nearly ever since,
writing with their sabers on the heads and backs of the enemy.
The signal corps has been growing into usefulness and favor daily
for the last four months, and now bids fair to become one of the most
esteemed of the staff services. It rendered very important service
from the time we reached the Valley of the Tennessee. For its opera-
tions, I refer to the report of Capt. Jesse Merrill, chief signal officer.
Our medical corps proved very efficient during the whole cam-
paign, and especially during and subsequent to the battle. A full
share of praise is due to Dr. Glover Perin, the medical director of
the department, ably assisted by Dr. Gross, medical director of the
Fourteenth, Dr. Perkins, Twentieth, and Dr. Phelps, Twenty-first
Army Corps.
A very great meed of praise is due Capt. Horace Porter, of the
Ordnance, for the wise system of arming each regiment with arms
of the same caliber, and having the ammunition wagons properly
marked, by which most of the difficulties in supplying ammunition
where troops had exhausted it in battle were obviated. From his
report will be seen that we expended 2,650,000 rounds of musket
cartridges, 7,325 rounds of cannon ammunition; we lost 36 pieces of
artillery, 20 caissons, 8,450 stand of small-arms, 5,834 infantry
accouterments; being 12,675 rounds less of artillery and 650,000
rounds more of musketry than at Stone's River.
From .the report of Lieutenant-Colonel Wiles, provost-marshal-
general, it will be seen that we took 2,005 prisoners. We have miss-
ing [4,945], of which some 600 have escaped and come in, and prob-
ably 700 or 800 are among the killed and wounded; of our wounded
about 2,500 fell into the hands of the enemy, swelling the balance of
prisoners against us to about 5,500.
It is proper to observe the battle of Chickamauga was absolutely
necessary to secure our concentration and cover Chattanooga. It
was fought in a country covered with woods and undergrowth, and
wholly unknown to us. Every division came into action opportunely
and fought squarely on the 19th. We were largely outnumbered,
yet we foiled the enemy's flank movement on our left, and secured
our own position on the road to Chattanooga. The battle of the 20th
was fought with all the troops we had, and but for the extension
and delay in closing in our right, we should probably have driven
the enemy, whom we really beat on the field. I am fully satisfied
that the enemy's loss largely exceeds ours.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Related Items
Other items on this site that are directly related to the current book.
The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Additions and Corrections to Series 1, Volume 30. (Pamphlet)
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.
Relationship to this item: (Is Referenced By)
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
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/m1/73/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.