Lee White
58th at Chickamauga
Wed Mar 28 22:02:46 2001


Ask and ye shall receive. From the Montgomery Weekly Advertiser, October 4th 1863. "58th Alabama Regiment, Two miles from Chattanooga, Sept 28", "The battle of the 19th and 20th was the bloodiest and most desperate of the war, and as such is universally acknowledged by the soldiers thoughout the army; and notwithstanding the immense loss of human life- the saddest feature of war-we have many reasons for congratulation among ourselves, and cause for thanks and gratitude to God for the victory with which He has crowned our arms. The preface to the bloody picture was written on Friday, the 18th, by heavy skirmishing and much cannonading on both sides, which resulted in more casualties than is common in such engagements.
It is not my intention to give a description of the battle, but rather to state briefly a few facts in regard to the part performed by this regiment, recently 9th Alabama Battalion,, commanded by Col. Bush Jones.
Bate's Brigade, to which the 58th Alabama belongs was engaged three sucessive days, and lost proportionately, more than any other in the whole army. It was lef into the fight Saturday evening at 3 o'clock, and after fireing a few rounds the command "Fix Bayonets" was given, and immediately could be heard the order "Forward", and with a zeal and alarcity the whole brigade rushed towards the enemy with a yell that caused a perfect panis among the craven hearted foe, which retreated in confusion and disorder, throwing away knapsacks, haversacks, guns, and in fact everything that impeded their flight. Then could be seen Yankees falling and biting the soil that they came to invade, and large numbers, frightened almost beyond reason, waving their hats and handkerchiefs in token of submission and tunning to the rebs, kneeling at their feet, pleading for mercy. Of course they were treated in accordance with the usages of war, and sent to the rear and put under the care of the Provost guard. In this charge the brigade took a battery of four pieces and quite a number of prisoners. This was the closing fight of the day and soon night came and again quiet and stillness reigned supreme, but only to be followed by another Sabbath of blood and suffering.
Early in the morning was renewed practical war by Cleburne on the right, Stewart in the centre, and Hindman on the left. The enemy made a desperate stand and endeavored to drive back our right. But all was in vain, and it only resulted in a decided victory for us- we captureing a whole brigade of the enemy. In the centre the enemy had taken a strong position, naturally, and strengthened it by very formidable breastworks. Our advanceing columns formed a perfect parallelogram with their different points, which were on each of our flanks and on our immediate front-each front having four pieces of artillery-making twelve in all. Thus were posted the enemy, when a charge was ordered on our side, and the 58th Alabamawent forward with speed, zeal, and determination, that showed how earnest they were in the desperate undertaking before them. But ah I what a sad fate awaited them. THey had been ordered to accomplish an impossibility-to take the breastworks without support. The failure was not their fault. They did everything that gallantry and bravery dictated to perform the almost hopeless task. In this charge we were to cross fired with grape, cannister, and musketry from every direction, save our rear. The regiment started with 300 men, and in one hour from the first yell, only 102 could be mustered for duty. We were advanced to within one hundred yards of the fortifications, and there stood and fought until it seemed almost suicide to remain longer, when all that were not killed or woundedm except a few, fell back to a better position. These few consisted of Liet Col. Inzer, Maj Thornton, Lt. Hollman, and Lt. AT Goodwyn, withhis company, and who was the only officer that managed to keep his men under the murderous fire, and did not retire until ordered to do so by higher suthority. This affair though badly planned, refelc to attack, this same order resulted in the CS breakthrough that won the battle for them. Also note the capture of the cannons that would result in them later adding crossed cannon to their battleflag at Dalton, too bad we dont know what their flag looked like at Chickamauga. Hope this was of interest.

Lee

• 58th — Ben Smith, Wed Mar 28 22:11