army. Our brigade was moved,
early on the morning of the 20th, from its position of the night
previous, and marched out on the left wing of the army to an old
church, known as the McAfee church. Here it maneuvered about on the
left flank of the army, taking different positions, in readiness for
the expected advance of the enemy in that quarter. The battle continued
to rage furiously on our right. From some misunderstanding, there was a
gap left in the line of battle on the right centre of the army. The
rebels instantly worked into this breach, striking our troops in flank
and rear, throwing them into complete confusion, from which they never
recovered till they reached Rossville. Seven brigades, or about
one-fourth of our entire force, were thus swept away by this
misfortune, and though the loss in killed and wounded was not very
heavy, and that in prisoners less than would have been expected, they
were effectually cut off from rendering further aid to the rest of the
army during that day. Among those in this rout, were, without fault of
their own, Major-Generals Rosecrans, McCook, and Crittenden. Each made
repeated efforts to join the main body, but in vain, and finally fell
back to Rossville, whence General Rosecrans sent his chief of staff,
General Garfield, to ascertain how Thomas was succeeding in holding the
rebels at bay, and himself, with Generals McCook and Crittenden, went
on to Chattanooga, to secure the trains and put the city in a state of
defense, if, as he feared, the army should be driven to retreat
thither. The rout on the right wing took place about one o'clock P.M.
Notwithstanding the break on the right, General Thomas, though opposed
by a force at least five to two, stood grim and defiant, resisting the
repeated assaults upon his lines with a persistency never surpassed.
From two o'clock till sunset, a terrible battle raged along Thomas'
line. About two in the afternoon, our brigade was ordered to the
assistance of Thomas, it then being some three miles to his left, and
going this distance on the double-quick. The General saw a cloud of
dust in the direction we were coming, and, it is said, he was uneasy at
first, not knowing whose forces they were, Confederate or Union. A
messenger was sent to ascertain who they were and whence they came.
When the brigade arrived and was taking up position, the enemy opened a
furious fire upon it, and had it advanced a short distance further,
would certainly have bee