Center for Archival Collections

Chickamauga

Some comments on Map no 6 Department Series-

The hour is 12 oclock, noon, September 20th 1863.

Land Marks. Snodgrass. Vidito. Hei--. McFarlands Gap.

Rebel Troops. Hindmans Division, two brigades, Andersons and Deas.

Union Troops. Sheridans Division, three brigades.
     Davis Division, two brigades.
     Buells brigade of Woods Division.
     Negley and VanCleve, two brigades and two detachments

Also Steedmans Division, two brigades, and a demi brigade (ten regiments).

And battery M. 1st Ill Light Art., 6 guns.

The Union forces are all in motion.

The point of direction of Steedmans is South.

Sheridan, Davis, Buell, Negley and VanCleve are moving toward McFarlands Gap, a North Westerly direction to the rear of the army.

The four columns of Sheridan, Davis, Buell, Negley and VanCleve are moving in parallel lines, Sheridan and Davis near each other while Buell is nearly half a mile to the right (East) of Davis and Negley and VanCleve nearly half a mile to the right (East) of Buell. All the artillery (excepting two batteries) about fifty pieces, shown on the map at Snodgrass Hill is now retiring with Negley.

Now if we are to believe the maps and I presume we must do so these eight (8) brigades and two detachments together with the artillery, are chased off the field by the two small brigades of Hindman. But it appears that Hindman gave up the chase at the points marked thus.x x. yet the union troops did not halt when pursuit ceased but continued to move until safe at McFarlands. This is a distressing presentation, and the reports confirm the maps in this respect.

While Hindmans two small brigades were chasing Sheridan, Davis, Buell, Negley and VanCleve off the field, quite a different state of affairs was in progress at Snodgrass ridge. Of course reference to maps No 7 and 8 should be had to shown the situation there.

Hindman now wheeled to the right to join Bushrod Johnson who was already at Snodgrass ridge, and these were joined by Prestons Division and the grand right well arranged whereby the ridge was to be carried and the last Yankee foothold on the field taken from them. Now mark the contrast. While the union troops mentioned were running away from the conflict, Granger was advancing to the sound of the battle, and right here it would be as well to stop and enquire particularly who was fighting that battle which attracted Granger, if it did not burden the subject.

However, Granger arrived and with his two brigades and a half a brigade, whipped the boots off from Hindmans two brigades, and also the brigades of Fulton, Sugg, McNair, Gracie, Kelly & Manigault.

This is a cheerful presentation, and the reports confirm the maps in this respect.

Arnold McMahan