night. Bearing their close-furled banners and
their empty guns, they pass on into the sad and silent night of
Chickamauga to await the glorious sun of Mission Ridge.

ROBERT LEWIS KIMBERLY.

NOTE.--The writer is aware that this narrative of the battle of
Chickamauga differs so materially from the commonly-received
impressions of that event that it ought to be supported by more
than his own authority. The reader will observe that the main
narrative is made up of the experiences of one command, that to
which the writer belonged, and of which he can therefore speak
as of things which he saw. For the statements of the general
battle reference is made to official reports, as follows: (1) In
regard to the first day's battle, see report of General W.S.
Rosecrans, which may be found in vol. vii. of Putnam's
_Rebellion Record_, p. 222 and following pages. (2) In regard to
the complete isolation of the four divisions of the left during
the second day, and the final opening of communication with
General Thomas, see General W.B. Hazen's official report on p.
238 of the volume above quoted.

The writer also quotes, by permission, from letters from
Generals Hazen and Thomas J. Wood, addressed to him within the
present year. General Hazen says: "Do not forget about the
length of time Thomas was cut off from us--how we could hear
nothing from him; how neither Reynolds nor Palmer would assume
command," etc. General Wood says, in reference to the great
disaster on the second day: "About 11 A.M. I received the
following order from General Rosecrans: 'The commanding general
directs that you close up on Reynolds as fast as possible, and
support him.' As there was an entire division (Brannan's)
between my division and Reynolds, I could only close upon the
latter and support him by withdrawing my division from line and
passing in rear of Brannan to the rear of Reynolds. This I did.
Of course I knew it was an order involving perhaps the most
momentous consequences, but General McCook concurred with me
that it was so emphatic and positive as to demand instant
obedience. I write you stubborn facts, and you can use them as
such."

General Wood has been so severely criticised for his obedience
to this fatal order that perhaps I should add this further
explanation, contained in the letter from which