Head Quarters Army of Tenn

Field of Chickamauga

Sept. 22^d 1863

 

It has pleased Almighty God to reward the valor & endurance of our troops, by giving to our arms a complete victory over the enemy's superior numbers:

            Homage is due and is rendered unto Him, who giveth, not the battle to the strong.

 

            Soldiers: After two days of severe battle, preceded by heavy & important out post affairs, you have stormed the barricades and breastworks of the enemy, and driven before you in confusion and disorder an Army largely superior in numbers, and whose constant theme was your demoralization and whose constant boast was your defeat.

 

            Your patient endurance under privations, your fortitude and your valor, displayed at all times, and under all trials have been meetly rewarded.

 

            Your Commander acknowledges his obligations and promises to you in advance the country's gratitude. 

 

            But our task is not ended. We must drop a soldier's tear upon the graves of the noble men who have fallen by our sides, and move forward.

 

            Much has been accomplished. More remains to be done before we can enjoy the blessings of Peace and Freedom.

                                                                                   

(signed) Braxton Bragg

 

Official

George W^m Brent.

            A.A.G.

 

Lt. Gen^l Polk

            C'm^dg

Right Wing

 

[overleaf]

 

Hd Qrs Army Tenn

Sept. 22^nd 1863

 

Address to the

troops from

Genl Bragg

 

issued to Genls Hill,

Cheatham & Walker

 

 

Head Quarters Army Tenn

In the Field

Near Red House Ford

Septr 22^nd 1863

Extract

 

Circular:

            I. Wing Commanders will send to-day their ammunition wagons to Red House Ford to be supplied.

            II. Troops will have three (3) days cooked rations, (Bread) and get their transportation ready to move.

                                                                                   

By Command of

General Bragg

George W^m Brent

A.A.G.

 

Lt. Gen^l Polk

            Cm^dg

Right Wing

 

[margin]

 

issued to Genls Hill, Walker and Cheatham.

 

 

"Extract"

Head Qrs. Army Tenn

In the Field

Near Red House Ford

Septr 22^nd 1863

Circular:

            IV. Wing Commanders will immediately see that proper fords or bridges are made in the rear of their commands over the Chickamauga.

                                                                                   

By Command of

Genl Bragg.

A.A.G.

 

Lt. Gen^l Polk

            Cm^dg

Right Wing

 

 

"Extract"

Head Qrs. Army Tenn

In the Field

Near Red House Ford

Septr 22^nd 1863.

Circular:

            V. Wing Commanders will cause to be sent in at once all captured colors, as a messenger is to be sent to carry them to Richmond. They will be labeled and properly prepared, giving, as far as possible, the names of the captors with Regiment and Corps.

            VI. Wing Commanders will send in immediately a statement of their approximate loss in the late engagements, in killed wounded and missing. Also, statement of arms, artillery and prisoners captured.

            VII. Infantry outposts of not less than two Brigades, will be thrown forward from each Wing towards Chattanooga, as far as Mission Ridge if practicable. Chickamauga Station will be occupied by a Brigade from the Right Wing.

                                                                                   

By Command Genl Bragg

George W^m Brent

A.A.G.

 

Lt Gen^l Polk

Cmdg Right Wing

 

[margin]

issued to Corps Comdrs

Genls Hill, Walker & Cheatham

 

[overwritten]

 

No order issued in this paragraph Genl Cheatham being already [?] towards Chattanooga. Rear Brigade sent to Chickamauga Station.

 

 

"Extract"

Hd. Qrs. Army Tenn

In the Field

Near Red House Ford

Septr 22^nd 1863

Circular:

            VIII. The Brigades of Genl^s Liddell, Walthall & Johnson will immediately rejoin their proper Divisions.

                                                                                   

By Command of

Gen^l Bragg

George W^m Brent

A.A.G.

 

Lt Gen^l Polk

            Cmdg

Right Wing

 

 

"Extract"

Hd. Qrs. Army Tenn

In the Field

Near Red House Ford

Septr 22^nd 1863

Circular:

            IX. The order of this date directing the Brigade of Gen^l Gregg to report to Gen^l Johnston is hereby revoked.

                                                                                   

By Command Gen^l Bragg

George W^m Brent

A.A.G.

 

Lt Gen^l Polk

            Com^dg

Right Wing

 

"Extract"

Hd. Qrs. Army Tenn

Near Red House Ford

Septr 22^nd 1863

Circular:

            X. Brig. Gen^l Ector, with his Brigade will report to Gen^l Johnston in Miss. The Command will march to Ringgold or the Northern terminus of the Road, and there take the cars.

                                                                       

By Command of

Gen^l Bragg

George W^m Brent

A.A.G.

 

 

Hd Qrs AT

In the Field near

Red House Ford

Sept 22/63

General

            In reply to your communication of 12 PM I have the honor to state that the road referenced to is the road from Chickamauga Station to Chattanooga

                                                                       

I am Genl

respectfully

yr obdt svt

George W^m Brent

AAG

 

Lt Gen Polk

 

[margin]

 

issued to Genl Cheatham, 3 AM

 

 

Hd. Qrs., Army of Tennessee,

In the Field,

Near Red House Ford,

Sept. 22d, 1863.

General:

            The General Commanding requests that you send an officer to ascertain if the railroad is in running order from Dalton to Cleveland, and from Cleveland to Chattanooga. Also, that you endeavor to ascertain by any other means in your power.

                                                                       

I am, General,

Very Respectfully,

Your Obds't. Serv't.,

Kinloch Falconer,

A. A. Genl.

 

Lt. Gen^l. Polk,

            Comdg Right Wing.

 

Order issued to Capt Wheless Sept 23 '63

 

 

Hd Qrs. Army Tenn

Near Red House ford

Septr 22^nd 1863

General:

            The General Com^dg directs that the Brigade of Gen^l Gregg be immediately returned to Gen^l Johnston. They It will march to Ringgold or the Northern Terminus of the Road, and there take the cars for Mississippi.

                                                                        I am, General,

                                                                                    Very respectfully,

                                                                                    Your obdt. svt

                                                                        Kinloch Falconer,

                                                                                                A.A.G.

Lt. Gen^l Polk

            Com^dg

Right Wing

 

[margin]

 

issued to Genl. Walker

 

 

Lt. Gen^l Polk

            Cmdg Right Wing

 

 

Head Qrs Army of Tenn

Red House

Sept 22^d 1863

"Circular"

                        The Army will move upon Chattanooga at 7 A.M. tomorrow.

                        The right wing by the Shallow Ford & Mission Mill roads, from Chickamauga Station; the left wing by the Rossville Road.

                        All baggage will be left in camp.

                                                                                    By Command of

                                                                                                Genl Bragg

                                                                                    George W^m Brent

                                                                                                            A.A.G.

Lt. Genl. Polk

Comdg. Right Wing

SOURCES