Today in History:

547 Series I Volume XXX-III Serial 52 - Chickamauga Part III

Page 547 Chapter XIII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.


HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, TWENTY-FIRST ARMY CORPS,
Chickamauga Bridge, September 11, 1863-4.30 a. m.

Brigadier General J. A. GARFIELD,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: Your dispatch of 11.15 p. m. last night is just received. Why it was delayed so much I cannot tell. The movement directed will be made at once.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

TH. J. WOOD,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding.


HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION,
September 11, 1863-3 p. m.

Brigadier General J. A. GARFIELD,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: Your order of 10.30 a. m., to move to Rossville and La Fayette road, just received. Will carry it out immediately, I will try to communicate with Colonel Harker, but as I may fail in this would it not be well for you to try to inform him I am moving to his support.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

TH. J. WOOD,

Brigadier-General.


HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, TWENTY-FIRST ARMY CORPS,
Gordon's Mills, September 11, 1863-8.30 p. m.

Brigadier General J. A. GARFIELD,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: After a very laborious march of 15 miles across rough country cross-roads I have just reached here. I find Colonel Harker here, he having received my order to press forward to the mills. This service, and in fact his whole work during the day, he has performed handsomely. I inclose his last dispatch to me, which I received when I fell into the La Fayette road.

On my way across the country I passed through a late encampment of rebel cavalry, said by citizens to be five regiments under Forrest, in person. He moved from that camp at 11 a. m. to-day. I should judge from the debris of forage on the ground that there might have been five regiments. They threw the flooring off the bridge (Reed's Bridge) where I crossed the Chickamauga. The putting on the flooring detained me some time. I will get up my wagons during the night. We have skirmishers across the creek, but can see the rebel camp-fires off to our left front. Colonel Harker thinks the force is only cavalry, probably two brigades. I shall continue to drive the enemy in the morning.

I will do all I can to open communication with General Crittenden to-night, but think it doubtful whether I will succeed, as I don't know where he is-whether at Ringgold or beyond.

In the written order of 10.30 a. m. to-day, sent me by Captain Oldershaw, I am directed to incline to the left so as to communicate with the balance of the corps to-night. I requested Captain Oldershaw to say to General Crittenden that as he would have my destination from him (Captain Oldershaw), and would therefore know my gen-


Page 547 Chapter XIII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.