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HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Crawfish Spring, September 19, 1863-8.10 a.m.
[Received 8.50 a.m.]
Major-General CRITTENDEN, Comdg. Twenty-first Army Corps:
Your dispatch of 7.40 a.m. is received. Colonel Dan. McCook's brigade was at Reed's Bridge early this morning and captured a few prisoners from the rear of a retreating column. The general commanding is anxious to know what are the developments on the left. We hear artillery at Gordon's Mills and a few dropping shots on Negley's front.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. GARFIELD,
Brigadier-General, Chief of Staff.
ROSSVILLE, September 19, 1863-8.15 a.m.
General GARFIELD:
McCook took Reed's Bridge and burned it this morning. Whitaker was unable to reach Reed House. Is now in position at McAfee's Spring. Whitaker reports the enemy moving on his front and left this morning. No other indications of the enemy. Have ordered McCook's and Mitchell's brigades to fall back from Reed's Bridge to this place. I have requested Wagner to keep the cavalry [out] and to keep me well advised.
G. GRANGER,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Widow Glenn's, September 19, 1863.
Colonel R. H. G. MINTY:
Your dispatch received. All right. Watch our left and keep us well advised.
Respectfully,
W. S. ROSECRANS.
HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS,
September 19, 1863.
Major-General McCOOK:
GENERAL: My pickets report that the rumbling of carriages can be heard in front of them, and that the sound indicates a movement to the left. I would request that General Lytle be relieved from his position at the ford at Gordon's Mills and allowed to join me, as I may need the entire strength of the division. There is quite an interval on my immediate left which should be filled up.
I am, general, yours, respectfully,
P. H. SHERIDAN,
Major-General
HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near McDonald's House, September 19, 1863-9.30 a.m.
General ROSECRANS:
The enemy are reported this side of the Chickamauga, between Alexander's Bridge and Reed's Bridge. I am advancing in the direction of Reed's Bridge, holding a front in the direction of Alexander's Bridge. If General Crittenden will advance from Gordon's Mills on them at Alexander's Bridge we can, I think, use them up. I have two divisions ready to advance; the other will be up soon. Some prisoners taken by Colonel McCook last night say they belong to Hood's division.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. H. THOMAS,
Major-General, U. S. Volunteers.
NEAR McDANIEL'S [McDONALD'S] HOUSE,
[September 19,1863-12 m.]
[General ROSECRANS:]
GENERAL: General Thomas, whom I have met on his second line, wishes me to say that one of his brigades was this morning attacked by overwhelming force and driven back, and two others have since been driven. General Thomas says that he is now holding his position, and has ordered up General Reynolds. He thought General Palmer was on his right, but found he was not. Thinks he is moving in now. General Brannan has driven the enemy across the creek and turned their right. Enemy opposite from Joe Johnston's army. All on Thomas' left appears quiet. General Thomas expects to drive the rebels as soon as Reynolds and Palmer get up.
Respectfully,
G. BURROUGHS,
Lieutenant of Engineers.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS, NEAR McDANIEL'S [McDONALD'S]
HOUSE,
September 19, 1863-1 p.m.
General GORDON GRANGER,
Rossville:
Please give me the state of affairs with you. The enemy are fighting me with very heavy forces. We have taken many prisoners from Virginia regiments and Johnston's army, showing Bragg has been re-enforced from both.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. H. THOMAS,
Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Widow Glenn's, September 19, 1863-2.40 p.m. Major-General McCOOK,
Commanding Twentieth Army Corps:
The tide of battle sweeps to the right. The general commanding thinks you can now move the two brigades of Sheridan to this place. Leave the one brigade posted at Gordon's Mills, to be used there or this way, as circumstances may require. If the right is secure, some forward and directed your forces now fighting.
Very respectfully,
J. A. GARFIELD,
Brigadier-General, Chief of Staff.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT, September 19, 1863.
[Received] (3.10 p.m.)
Major-General CRITTENDEN,
Commanding,&c.:
Dispatch from General Thomas of 3 p.m., just received, says:
We are driving the rebels in the center handsomely, so General Johnson's aide reports to me. My First Division was considerably cut up, but we have taken many prisoners. I am in hopes we will drive them across the Chickamauga to-night.
Sent by order General Rosecrans:
FRANK S. BOND,
Major, and aide-de-Camp.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Widow Glenn's, September 19, 1863-4.25 p.m.
Major-General THOMAS,
Commanding Fourteenth Army Corps:
General Negley has arrived and is just going in to the left of this place. There seems to be a gap in our line. Van Cleve has been driven in, but is now rallying. We have not heard from you for some time. Is the left clear of rebels? Do you know anything of the gap in the line referred to above?
J. A. G[ARFIELD].
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Via Widow Glenn's, September 19, 1863-5 p.m.
Major-General THOMAS,
Commanding Fourteenth Army Corps:
The general commanding is very anxious to hear from you. There is a break in the line between you and this place, and we do not yet know how it occurred. Where is Palmer, and how is he posted? Let us know from your at once.
J. A. G[ARFIELD].
HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near McDonald's House, September 19, 1863-7.10 p.m.
Major-General ROSECRANS,
Widow Glenn's:
Your dispatch of 5 p.m. is just received. We drove the enemy in front of us steadily to-day, but, our lines being very much attenuated, I have drawn them in to-night, and they now reach from the road leading through Mission Ridge from Crawfish Spring to Rossville,across the direct road from Rossville to Gordon's Mills to a road leading from Rossville to Reed's Bridge. Just at dark they made a terrific attack on Johnson's division and threw them into considerable confusion, and for that reason I should very much like to have [re-enforcements sent] up to support my left. The positions of the divisions are as follows: Brannan's right occupying the slopes of Mission Ridge, Reynolds next, Palmer next, Johnson next, and Baird on the left.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. H. THOMAS,
Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Battle-field, September 19, 1863.
Major General GORDON GRANGER:
We had a severe engagement with the enemy to-day, driving the rebels on the left and holding our town on the right.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. H. THOMAS,
Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
September 19, 1863-8 p.m. (Received 12.30 a.m.,21st.)
Major General H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief:
We have just concluded a terrific day's fighting, and have another in prospect for to-morrow. The enemy attempted to turn our left, but his design was anticipated, and a sufficient force placed there to render his attempt abortive. The battle-ground was densely wooded and its surface irregular and difficult. We could make but little use of our artillery. The number of our killed is inconsiderable; that of our wounded very heavy. The enemy was greatly our superior in numbers. Among our prisoners are men from some third regiments. We have taken 10 cannon and lost 7. The army is in excellent condition and spirits, and, by the blessing of Providence, the defeat of the enemy will be total to-morrow.
W. S. ROSECRANS,
Major-General.
[VIA] CHATTANOOGA, September 19, 1863.
The PRESIDENT:
Have captured 10 pieces of artillery. Took prisoners from thirty different regiments, and with the blessing of God will do more to-morrow.
W. S. ROSECRANS.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, RESERVE CORPS,
McAfee's Chapel or Spring, September 19, 1863-9 p.m.
COMMANDING OFFICER FORCES ON THE LEFT,
Fourteenth Army Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland:
GENERAL: I have the honor to report that my command is now occupying a line extending across the old Federal or Upper Ringgold road, extending to the Cleveland road on the left, and in the supposed direction of the left of the Fourteenth Army Corps, on the right, some half mile. I am some 3 miles from Rossville, on a small stream designated on our map as the West Chickamauga. I send an orderly to find your left. The enemy are in considerable force in my front this side of the Chickamauga River. I intend to attack them in the morning. Please give me such information as will be of interest in regard to the position of your left. A portion of my command was engaged this evening with a superior force of the enemy, much to the credit of my troops engaged.
I have the honor, &c., respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES B. STEEDMAN,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, September 19, 1863.
Major-General THOMAS,
Commanding Fourteenth Army Corps:
The general commanding desires you to call on him at headquarters immediately. The other corps commanders are here. He regrets to ask you to come so far, but it is necessary.
Yours, truly,
J. A. GARFIELD,
Brigadier-General, and Chief of Staff.
Official Records, Series I., Vol. 30, Part 1, Pages 68, 124, 127, 129, 134, 136, 964, 998, 999. Series I., Vol. 30, Part 3, Page 740.
Bragg intended an all out assault for the 20th against what he believed was the exposed Union left, extending no further than Gordon's Mills. However, Thomas' command was spread out over a wide area, covering much more ground than anticipated. The battle opened with a clash at Jay's Mill between Minty's troops and Confederate cavalry, reinforced by Walker's infantry division. Bragg was now sending massive elements north to try and locate the Union left. Around 11 a.m. Cheatham's Division collided with Palmer's Union division. The encounters were unexpected, violent, and uncoordinated due to the heavily wooded terrain. At 2PM, Hood's Division hit the much smaller Union Division of Davis and fighting spread to near the Viniyard Farm. There was a risk of a Union rout at this point, only overcome by several counterattacks over the next two hours, with the focus of battle near the Widow Glen's. Bragg continued to waste troops in sporadic attacks, culminating in Cleaburn's Division engaging in three hours of severe fighting on the Confederate right. The day closed with the Union forces hanging on tenaciously, and Bragg still searching for the Union left.
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