September 13, 1863 (Tuesday): Skirmish at Gordon's Mills

Lee & Gordon's Mills (Roadside Georgia.com)

SIGNAL STATION, NEAR ROSSVILLE,
September 13, 1863. (Received 12.35.)
General GARFIELD:
    I hear heavy firing near Gordon's Mills. It sounds like artillery.
I think it is southwest of Gordon's Mills. Thirty minutes since I first heard it. It has ceased now.


     J. R. FITCH,
     Signal Officer.


LOOKOUT STATION, September 13, 1863-12 m.
Captain MERRILL:
     Can see a heavy column of smoke south-southeast, about 12 or 15 miles.


     BERRY.


SIGNAL STATION, ROSSVILLE,
September 13, 1863. (Received 1.05 p. m.)
Captain MERRILL:
     Firing renewed here; musketry and artillery. See large cloud of dust near Gordon's Mills.


    J. R. FITCH,
    Signal Officer.


JOHNSON'S CROOK STATION, September 13, 1863.
Captain J. MERRILL, Chief Signal Officer:
     The line will be completed tomorrow a. m. to General Thomas. Am waiting for the telegraph train to get up the mountain.


     WM. A. SEITER,
     Captain and Acting Signal Officer.

MONTGOMERY, September 13, 1863.
General BRAGG,
Chickamauga:
     The Virginia troops are reported arriving in Atlanta. McNair's and Gregg's brigades are therefore, I suppose, no longer required; please send them back, therefore.


     J. E. J.


CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS POLK'S CORPS,
Rock Spring Church, September 13, 1863-7 a.m.
     The lieutenant-general commanding announces his intention of making the attack so soon as the division commanders are ready for it. The moment they are ready they will notify him of the fact.       The attack will begin on left wing.
     By command of Lieutenant-General Polk:


     [THOS. M. JACK.]
     Assistant Adjutant-General.

ORDERS.] SEPTEMBER 13, 1863-8.30 a.m.
Major-Generals Cheatham, Hindman, and Waker will push forward a brigade each on the Gordon's Mills, Pea Vine, and Ringgold roads respectively, following the cavalry, in order to develop the enemy.


    [THOS. M. JACK,]
    Assistant Adjutant-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 30, Part 3, Page 597 and Series I., Vol 30, Part 4, Page 645.

Both armies were on the move North from Chattanooga.  The Confederates had been passing through LaFayette, with the cavalry concentrated near Gordon's Mills.  McCook was pressing North with orders to develop the Confederate position.  A sharp skirmish ensued with few casualties but an exchange of artillery fire.  Union infantry gradually moved up and pushed back Armstrong's cavalry.