Timeline: September 1863

Tuesday, September 1

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Came on to-day to Mrs. Partain‘s where we stopped as we went down; found Mr. Sewell there still mending clocks; the girls looking charming. Staid all night. Music and mirth."

Wednesday, September 2

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Came on to Lafayette, camp one mile from town. Had a meeting of the Lodge this evening; I attended."

Thursday, September 3

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Remained here to-day; met again this evening at the Lodge in town."

Friday, September 4

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Started for Alpine; came out twelve miles and camped."

Saturday, September 5

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Reached Alpine, left one wagon to the Regiment, and with the rest the dismounted men started for Rome. Came eight miles and camped."

History - Eighth Texas Cavalry Regiment, CSA by Paul R. Scott

"About the fifth they were assigned the missions of observing an enemy column advancing upon Alpine and of picketing and patrolling the passes in the vicinity. There were skirmishes, but none of consequence."

History - Terry's Texas Rangers by Kate Terrell

"The 'Rangers” were sent out on a line to Alpine, Georgia, to prevent a flank movement of the enemy. At Alpine and other mountain passes they had eight severe skirmishes with the Federal cavalry. They were scouting during the day and strengthening weak pints, and were on guard three nights at a time. They now became familiar with the axe, in felling timber to obstruct these passes. They were at Alpine one day, Somerville the next, and on the third at McLemore’s Cove."

Sunday, September 6

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"A number of us started at two o’clock this morning and came on twelve miles and got breakfast. I and Oly Archer turned off at Coosyville and came by Miss Ransom's. Miss Anna and Miss Fannie were there, also Mr. and Mrs. Settle of Murfreesboro. We spent the day with them and came to camp in the evening."

Monday, September 7

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Camped at Col. Shorter’s; one brigade of infantry near us."

Tuesday, September 8

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"All quiet. I went off over to John’s last night, but big Cousin was not there."

Wednesday, September 9

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Quiet to-day."

Thursday, September 10

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"I went over to Whitehead‘s to get some raw hide to cover my saddle. I stopped at Mr. Mobley’s and took dinner, chatted Miss Metta a while and went over to the Mill and on to the ten yard and back to the Mill; found Dr. Neely there. I staid till bout 10 o’clock and came back to Camp. Time passed pleasantly, "on Angels’ wings," while with Miss Mag."

Friday, September 11

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Remained in camp."

Saturday, September 12

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"I played off on an old Georgian as Captain or with Captain’s uniform, got a buggy that a private could not have reached with a twenty foot pole. I and Oly Archer rode out in it to Mr. Ransom’s. Took Mr. Jackson along with us. We took supper and sit till bedtime. Time passed delightfully. Pleasant drive back to camp."

Sunday, September 13

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Moved eight miles from Rome out on the Kingston road to where the 4th Tennessee camped near a mill on the river."

Monday, September 14

 

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Remained in camp all day."

Tuesday, September 15

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Tuesday, 15th-Sunday, 20th—During this time I made the acquaintance of Miss Mary Reece, Miss Mary Davis and Miss Eugenie Holt. I spent all my leisure time visiting them. Very nice ladies indeed."

Wednesday, September 16

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Thursday, September 17

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Friday, September 18

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Saturday, September 19

Wounded - W. H. Snider, Co. I

Wounded in the knee at Chickamauga

Memoir - J. K. P. Blackburn, Co. F

After our resting spell we were ordered to rejoin the army. Rosecrans with a large force had compelled General Bragg to retire towards Chickamauga a few miles south of Chattanooga.

Memoir - G. W. Littlefield, Co. I

"The 19th of September, 1863, found us moving rapidly upon the left flank of the enemy toward Chickamauga. Rosecran's army was distributed up and down the west side of Chickamauga Valley, Chickamauga Creek separating it from the Confederates. A two-day battle followed."

Memoir - A. M. Shannon, Co. C

"Nor shall the remembrance of that terrible day at Chickamauga fade from my mind. With the return of the soldier escort who had laid the remains of the second Terry safely on Texas soul, came Judge David Terry, who had made a name for himself in far distant California and as is sadly remembered, was later on killed by the United States Marshal guarding Justice Field. The circumstances attending that killing are too well known to recount here. In the battle last mentioned, the fortunes of the day again threw me with the third chance, luck or fate, call it what you will, he, too, received what was thought to be his mortal wound, a ball through the chest from side to side. My arms were the first to assist the wounded man. He eventually recovered, regaining his accustomed health."

History - Terry's Texas Rangers. Monument to that Gallant Cavalry Regiment. - Confederate Veteran

"...until September 19, when they engaged in the terrible battle of Chickamauga, and were in constant action, making many desperate charges. After the first day of the battle, they were dispatched with Wheeler and Wharton to protect Bragg from the advancing Federal cavalry; and for several days, almost without sleep or rest, were constantly riding, scouting, and fighting around Chattanooga."

History - Terry's Texas Rangers by Kate Terrell

"The 19th of September found them moving rapidly upon the left flank of the enemy towards Chickamauga. Rosecrans’s army was distributed up and down the west side of the Chickamauga Valley, Chickamauga Creek separating it from the Confederates. The Federals made a vigorous attack on General Walker’s corps on the 19th, but were gallantly repulsed, the Confederates capturing several batteries of artillery. In the afternoon Hoold’s whole front became hotly engaged, and continued fighting with varied fortunes until nightfall... During the day of the 19th Wharton’s command, with the exception of the “Rangers,” was dismounted to charge a battery posted on a hill overlooking the valley, the “Rangers” going around and charging from the rear. The fight was so stubborn that a Confederate and a Federal ensign crossed their color-poles. The command suffered severely, one of the wounded, Colonel David S. Terry, being a volunteer for the occasion. Wharton moved on to Gordon’s Mills, crossing the ground Hood had just fought over. Trees had been shot into splinters, and the undergrowth looked as if mown by a reaper. Dead men and hospitals marked the field for two miles."

History - Terry's Texas Rangers, 8th Texas Cavalry, CSA by Lester N. Fitzhugh

"On the 19th they sideslipped behind the army to move onto the Federal left on Chickamauga Creek. On the way they met Longstreet's incoming corps of the Virginia army. Among these, of course, were the Texans of Hood's old brigade, the 1st, 4th, and 5th Texas. Old friends and kinfolk greeted each other, and the famous infantrymen of Lee's army looked with professional respect at the only command outside Hood's Brigade they considered as good as themselves.The command appears to have operated in the vicinity of Gordon's Mill on the 19th."

History - John A. Wharton: The Forgotten General, CSA by Paul R. Scott

"There was almost daily cavalry skirmishing until September 19 when the Battle of Chickamauga began. At the onset Wheeler's Corps (including Wharton's Division) was on Bragg's left flank guarding fords and mountain passes. On the nineteenth Wharton and Colonel Harrison led the 8th and 11th Texas in a thrust designed to attack a Federal wagon train reportedly coming through McLemore' s Cove. Instead of finding vulnerable transports, they found aggressive cavalry which exploited the faulty positions chosen by Wharton and Harrison. The Rebels had to retire with several casualties. That night there was more skirmishing."

History - Eighth Texas Cavalry Regiment, CSA by Paul R. Scott

"Finally on September 19 the two opposing armies came together in a broken, wooded region to engage in the Battle of Chickamauga. The nature of the terrain precluded the effective use of cavalry, so the Eighth Texas did relatively little fighting as compared to the infantry formations. On the first day the Eighth and Eleventh Texas were caught in a vulnerable position and forced to retire with at least six Rangers dead or wounded. Here the two armies met in one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, continuing two days and resulting in a complete victory for the Confederates; but the victory was won at a fearful cost."Our regiment was engaged only twice during the battle and that was when Federal cavalry tried to attack our army from the rear."

History - The Campaigns by Mel Wheat

"On the 19th, they sideslipped behind the army to move onto the Federal right on Chickamauga Creek. On the way they met Longstreet's incoming corps of the Army of Northern Virginia. Among these were the Texans of Hood's old brigade. Old friends and kinfolk greeted each other, and the famous infantrymen of Lee's army examined with professional eyes the only command outside Hood's Brigade they considered as good as themselves. With Wheeler's entire division, the Rangers operated on the 19th and 20th in the vicinity of Crawfish Springs and Lee and Gordons Mills, being part of the those Confederate forces which turned the Federal right and followed the withdrawing enemy to Chattanooga. The twenty casualties taken by the Rangers at Chickamauga was a modest enough price for those inflicted on the enemy."

Sunday, September 20

Killed - M. V. Wright

Killed at Glass's Mill Chickamauga

Mortally Wounded - W. H. Dromgoole, Co. C

Suffered gunshot wounds to both thighs at Glass's Mill.

Memoir - L. B. Giles, Co. D

"The Terry Rangers were on the extreme left of the line and were ordered to drive the enemy from their front. This order was executed in handsome style. The enemy proved to be our old antagonists, the Third Ohio Cavalry. After the charge a message was brought to Lieutenant Dechard, of the Rangers, that a wounded Federal officer wished to see him. He rode to the spot and dismounted. When he saw the wounded man, he said: 'Why, it's my old friend, Major Cupp. I am sorry to see you thus.' 'Lieutenant Colonel Cupp,' replied the other, 'but I've had my last promotion. You people have got me this time.' More than a year before, these officers, each a lieutenant in command of an escort for a flag of truce, had met. They met again, a few weeks later, under the same circumstances, but Cupp was now a captain. After the fight in Bardstown Dechard was in command of the guard for the prisoners, and recognized his former acquaintance. 'Captain Cupp, I am glad to see you,' said he. Major Cupp," corrected the prisoner, 'but I can not say that I glad to see you under the circumstances.'As the cartel was still in force, he was soon exchanged, and as we have seen when he fell, Dechard was near. These facts were related to me by Dechard himself, and he was known to be perfectly reliable. These incidents confirm the old adage, 'Truth is stranger than fiction.' The dying officer desired Dechard to take his watch and other belongings and send them to his relatives in Ohio, which was done a few days later by flag of truce."

Memoir - J. K. P. Blackburn, Co. F

"In one of these attacks we met and defeated the Fourth Ohio Cavalry, mortally wounding their colonel and driving them off, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. We passed back over the field, and the Colonel still living and gasping for breath was sitting with his back against a tree. Some of our boys approached him and said to him, 'Well, Colonel, as you will not need your hat or boots any longer, we beg the privilege of exchanging with you,' and as the Colonel could not reply, the boys concluded that silence gives consent, and proceeded to make the exchange. For the balance of the time our duties kept us policing and guarding during that battle rather than fighting.

Memoir - G. W. Littlefield, Co. I

"At the end of the second day the Confederates moved in one resistless wave, driving the Federals back to Missionary Ridge. Night fell with a brilliant moon. Longstreet ordered Wheeler to dash forward with his cavalry between Chattanooga and the enemy. I was ordered to go back over the battle field twelve miles and take possession of a ford, which we feared a brigade of Federals would cross and get in the rear of our army. It was the most distressing ordeal of my career as a soldier to ride through that twelve miles of country, where the guns of both North and South had mowed the ground like a giant reaper. Everywhere lay the wounded and the dying and the slain of both armies. The screams of the mangled artillery horses made the night hideous with their heart-rending appeal for relief, and the pitiful moans of those brave fellows who had fought so gallantly through that dreadful carnage made the tears flow from my eyes, and even to this day I cannot talk about it without great emotion. To reach the ford in question, we had to draw the fire of Colonel Avery's Georgians in order to let them know we were not Federals."

Memoir - John Allan Wyeth, 4th Alabama Cavalry

"After about two hours of fighting the Eighth Texas got on the flank of the Federals and gave them a wild chase in the direction of Lee & Gordon's Mill, in which we all joined. In this engagement a lot of prisoners were captured, and several of our dead and wounded were brought in on the horses, as we carried no stretchers and an ambulance was unknown. I saw one body held across the lap and legs of one of the Texas troopers, the limp arms and legs dangling nearly to the ground. I was told it was his brother, who had been instantly killed. That and another scene I witnessed at Glass's Mill still remain vividly in mind. A captured Union cavalry officer who had been shot through the bones of one foot came in limping along with the other dismounted captives. I was standing close by when a ranger who had been one of the captors said to him, "I want your boots." The officer had on a magnificent pair of Wellingtons, and, as it was useless to say no, he sat down and held up the sound foot while the Texan pulled that boot off and tried it on. As it was a fit, he motioned for the other. When the wounded man asked him if he wouldn't split it so it could be pulled off without hurting, the ranger simply pulled it off vi et armis, remarking, "You reckon I'm going to spoil that boot?" It was a pretty rough experience, and my sympathies were with the unfortunate prisoner. Earlier in the war this incident would not have been possible, but men had become callous and indifferent, and then the necessities of the Southern troops, half starved and poorly clad as they were, justified to some extent the wholesale appropriation of all the belongings of their prisoners."

History - Kentuckians at Chickamauga by W. W. Herr

"The First Kentucky Cavalry was engaged in the battle on the 20th with the Eighth Texas Cavalry and some other regiments. This cavalry drove the Federal cavalry and mounted infantry in front of our left near Lee and Gordon's Mills into McLemore's Cove, killing and capturing many of them."

History - Terry's Texas Rangers by Kate Terrell

"On the morning of the 20th, Breckinridge made a forward movement on the right against Thomas, and about eleven o’clock Longstreet on the left, Hood advancing in the center. Rosecrans’s line slowly gave way, but contested every foot. Late in the afternoon the Confederate line made a forward movement of its entire length, a mighty tide of resistless force, carrying the field triumphantly. The Federals retired towards Missionary Ridge. Night fell, but with a brilliant moon. Longstreet ordered Wheeler to dash forward with his cavalry between Chattanooga and the enemy, and sent a courier to General Bragg to say that a forward movement of his whole line would capture Rosecrans’s army. General Forrest climbed a tall tree to find out for himself what was going on, and seeing the Federal army a disorganized, panic-stricken mass, straggling in flight, he shouted to a staff officer: “Tell General Bragg to advance the whole line. The enemy is ours.” But General Bragg called in the stragglers, and in his official report says: “The darkness made further movements dangerous.” The Federal loss was greatly larger than that of the Confederates, but Bragg makes the appalling statement that he has lost two-fifths of his army... On the 20th, the “Rangers” were dashing here and there, charging and falling back, until night, when they were sent with Wheeler to intercept the Federal flight. Late in the afternoon, Captain Gordon, of Wharton’s scouts, riding up to a small stream, found himself face to face with a squad of Yankees. With the effrontery of a “Texas Ranger” he coolly called to them to “Stack arms and come over here, or I will turn my battery loose on you.” Instantly the white flag went up, and the whole sixty of them stacked arms, and were moved back to his ten scouts waiting a short distance away.

History - Terry's Texas Rangers, 8th Texas Cavalry, CSA by Lester N. Fitzhugh

"On the 20th they were with the forces which followed the withdrawing Federals to Chattanooga. Neither Harrison nor Wharton filed a report of the battle, and exact details of their two-day participation are scanty. It is interesting to note that David S. Terry, brother of the dead Frank and recently arrived from California, served in the battle as a voluntary aide to Wharton, managing in apparent Terry tradition to get himself wounded. Terry, better known in his adopted state than in Texas, would later organize his own Texas regiment then return to California after the war and eventually die at the hands of private enemies."

History - John A. Wharton: The Forgotten General, CSA by Paul R. Scott

"The Rebel cavalry scored heavily on the next day when Wheeler's command launched what was supposed to be a diversionary attack on George Crook's Cavalry Division. Most of the Confederates attacked on foot but the 8th Texas circled around and rode over the enemy camp and fell upon his flank forcing the enemy to flee in disarray. So formidable was the attack that the enemy thought that it was conducted by James Longstreet's Infantry Corps. Also on the twentieth, Rosecran's line shattered and the bulk of his army fell back to Chattanooga in disarray. Only the failure of Bragg to exploit the opportunity and the spirited defense of Horseshoe Ridge by George H. Thomas prevented the complete destruction of the Union army. Though lethargy seized the high command and the infantry, the cavalry was active in bringing in prisoners and booty. They pursued the defeated enemy until nightfall and the next day scoured the countryside picking up stragglers."

History - Eighth Texas Cavalry Regiment, CSA by Paul R. Scott

"The next morning there was a minor company-size picket fight. Later in the day Wheeler, whose command was on the left flank, launched a diversionary attack on George Crook's division of cavalry consisting of the First, Third, and Fourth Ohio and Second Kentucky. The main body of Rebels dismounted and launched a frontal assault while the Eighth Texas rode over the enemy camp and fell upon the flank. The Rebels won after hard fighting. Bunting reported that the enemy lost three colonels: one dead, one mortally wounded, and one captured. Actually only Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Cupp commanding the First Ohio was killed. Nearly six months previously he had been captured in Ferrill's ambush of the train at Antioch Station and had been subsequently exchanged."

History - The Campaigns by Mel Wheat

"On the 20th they killed, wounded and captured one hundred thirty six members of the cavalry brigade of Federal Brigadier General George Crook, including one regimental commander mortally wounded."

History - 1st Ohio Cavalry Website

At about eleven o’clock on the morning of September 20, 1863, the 1st Ohio was in line of battle on the right wing of the army not far from Crawfish Springs, Georgia. The battle would be written in history as the Battle of Chickamauga. They had been fighting dismounted rebel cavalry for nearly 2 hours when an order came from General Long’s brigade headquarters. Cupp was ordered to form the regiment and charge the dismounted cavalry in a cornfield ahead. Cupp wheeled the 1st Ohio and ordered sabers drawn. Just as the regiment was about to charge, a countermanding order came from Long’s headquarters to halt. The cornfield was not weakly held by dismounted cavalry but was thick with infantry. Had they made this charge, scarcely a man would have survived. Before the regiment could withdraw, the rebel infantry fired a massive volley, cutting down Lt.Col. Cupp and roughly one-fifth of the regiment. The 1st Ohio withdrew under cover of artillery fire, but returned later after it was learned the area was clear. Many wounded were recovered from the field including Cupp. He was taken to a field hospital at Crawfish Springs where he died that afternoon. He was buried on the battlefield of Chickamauga, but was later removed and reburied at Greenlawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio." (see Four years in the saddle : history of the First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Calvary, War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 by W.L. Curry.)

Monday, September 21

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"I and Mr. Nolin went up to the Tanyard this evening and took supper and sit till 10 o’clock. Miss E. was looking very nice indeed."

Memoir - G. W. Littlefield, Co. I

"We reached the ford at daylight and sent out a scouting party to locate the enemy's brigade of cavalry and, just as we had anticipated, they were heading for the ford. They came up on the opposite side of Chickamauga Creek, and for an hour we skirmished back and forth, then General Wharton attacked them in the rear, capturing their wagon train, and the others fled to the hills."

Memoir - J. M. Claiborne, Co. D

"This battle was a trying ordeal on the physical structure of the men; a severe test of both their endurance as well as their courage, for 21 days previous and up to the battle, and during the battle, and for the next several days, the labor was incessant both day and night; their ranks being depleted, as is shown by the muster roll and their duty doubled. The recollection is, and I am bourn out in the statement by others that the Rangers did more continual fighting in this battle and for a longer period, than in any other in which they were engaged. Here as at Shiloh they dismounted and went in side by side with the infantry until the enemy was moved, then mounted to follow up the route. Men slept in their saddles in line of battle, from shear exhaustion, captured and ate their rations in the saddle. They were not many at best, but of those that reported for duty on the 1st day of October, 47 percent had been killed, wounded and captured, and nearly one fourth off duty forever. The causalities did not all occur in this battle but in the daily skirmishes from the 18 or 20 days previous and the 20 days after. They were in the rear of the enemy no less than three times; attacked by charge five different batteries, and captured five times their number of prisoners. Taking everything into consideration this was their greatest feat during the war."

Memoir - T. S. Burney, Co. C

"The next big fight was Chickamauga. Here we fought three or four days and dead men could be seen six weeks after the battle with just a little dirt thrown on them with a spade. You could see the end of a man's nose sticking out through the ground or his hands lying out. It was a horrible sight to look at. During the fight the woods were set on fire and a great many men, who were wounded and could not walk, were burned up. I saw cows, sheep, hogs, dogs and chickens that were killed in this fight.

History - Terry's Texas Rangers by Kate Terrell

"For days after Chickamauga the “Rangers” were on scout duty, following Rosecrans’s retreat to Chattanooga. They captured their food and ate it in the saddle. Men slept in the saddle from exhaustion."

History - Terry's Texas Rangers, 8th Texas Cavalry, CSA by Lester N. Fitzhugh

"Following Chickamauga the Rangers were kept busy for a few days doing outpost and other cavalry duties, then were attached to Wheeler for a Tennessee raid in the Federal rear."

History - John A. Wharton: The Forgotten General, CSA by Paul R. Scott

"Perhaps Wharton's biggest success on the twenty-first came when a detachment Wharton left at a ford of the West Chickamauga Creek blocked the passage of a wagon train and its escort. The Yankees attacked but could not break through before Wharton led the rest of his command into the action capturing the wagons and about 300 prisoners.

Tuesday, September 22

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Reading My stories of Court of London."

Wednesday, September 23

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Reading Tempest and Sunshine. Went up to see Miss E. to-night. I spent a few hours at Mr. Davis; Miss Mollie and Cousin looking charming."

Thursday, September 24

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Start this morning for Tunnel Hill. Came by T., left G. T. McGehee, got my boots $75. Bid Miss E. goodbye and in company with Capt. Hill and Wm. Nicholson came on eight miles and staid all night at Mr. Brownlee's."

Friday, September 25

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Passed through Calhoun this morning, twenty-one miles to Dalton. Came on through D. to Tunnel Hill, seven miles from D."

Saturday, September 26

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Came on to Ringgold and six miles beyond to Chickamauga. When we got in three miles of R. we struck the main Yankee line of invasion; from there on the country is destroyed—fencing burned, everything eat up and destroyed."

Sunday, September 27

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"We start up the railroad this morning but turn back and camp on Chickamauga. Here we remain."

Monday, September 28

Diary - E. S. Dodd, Co. D

"Monday, 28th-October 1st, Thursday—Rain last night and still continuing; truly refreshing. First we’ve had for an age. All quiet in front. Well, I’ve missed being in one battle, that of Chickamauga."

Tuesday, September 29

Letter - R. F. Bunting

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Wednesday, September 30

CSR - T. J. Bennett, Co. B

Reciept

History - John A. Wharton: The Forgotten General, CSA by Paul R. Scott

"The effect of the battle was that Bragg was besieging Rosecrans at Chattanooga. To prevent the Union army being resupplied Bragg sent Wheeler's Corps reinforced with the most fit of Forrest's men to interdict the enemy's line of communications. Wharton's and William Thompson Martin's Divisions seized fords across the Tennessee River and on the thirtieth Wheeler launched his raid."

Unidentified September Events

Killed - L. H. A. Epperson

Killed at Chickamauga

Killed - W. Latourney

Killed at Chickamauga

Killed - T. McGhee

Killed at Chickamauga

Mortally Wounded - W. W. Eckols

Wounded at Chickamauga

Wounded - B. F. Burke

Wounded in the side of the neck at Chickamauga

Wounded - J. P. Caldwell

Wounded in the wrist at Chickamauga

Wounded - D. Gibson

Wounded at Chickamauga

Wounded - W. R. Jarman, Co. F

Wounded at Chickamauga

Wounded - J. C. Kirkeir

Wounded at Chickamauga

Wounded - J. Latimer

Wounded at Chickamauga

Wounded - A Moore

Wounded at Chickamauga

Wounded - D. S. Terry

Wounded in right arm at Chickamauga

Wounded - A. G. Wood

Wounded at Chickamauga

 

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