20,000, but is mostly tending this way. Rosecrans' main force had obtained my left and rear. I followed and endeavored to bring him to action and secure my connections. This may compel the loss of Chattanooga, but is unavoidable. Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War. BRAXTON BRAGG. FIVE MILES SOUTH OF CHATTANOOGA, 10TH, The enemy entered Chattanooga yesterday in force, driving out the small garrison I could leave behind. His main force in Will's Valley still threatens my rear, and compels me to follow on this side of the mountain. The difficulty of supplying the army in this mountainous region is very great, and may compel me to turn east to the railroad. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector-General. BRAXTON BRAGG, General. LA FAYETTE, September 14, 1863. We have so far failed to encounter the enemy in any force. Whenever we make our appearance he retires before us. His policy seems to be to avoid an engagement. We shall press him as long as able to subsist. General S. COOPER. BRAXTON BRAGG. LA FAYETTE, September 15, 1863. The enemy has retired before us at all points. We shall now turn on him in the direction of Chattanooga. General S. COOPER. BRAXTON BRAGG. TEN MILES SOUTH OF CHATTANOOGA, September 21, 1863. The enemy retreated on Chattanooga last night, leaving his dead and wounded in our hands. His loss is very large in men, artillery, small-arms, and colors. Ours is heavy, but not yet ascertained. The victory is complete, and our cavalry is pursuing. With the blessing of God our troops have accomplished great results against largely superior numbers. We have to mourn the loss of many gallant men and officers. Brigadier-Generals Preston Smith, Helm, and Deshler are killed; Major-General Hood and Brigadier-Generals Adams, Gregg, and Brown wounded. BRAXTON BRAGG. [General S. CoOPER.] CHICKAMAUGA RIVER, After two days' hard fighting we have driven the enemy, after a desperate resistance, from several positions, and now hold the field; but he still confronts us. The losses are heavy on both sides; especially so in our officers. We have taken over twenty pieces of artillery and some 2,500 prisoners. General S. COOPER. BRAXTON BRAGG. THREE MILES FROM CHATTANOOGA, The enemy is confronting us behind strong defenses. Our troops are arriving and deploying, but our policy can only be determined after developing him more fully. He is in very heavy force. A regimental color of Burnside's (Ninth) corps was captured on the field of Chickamauga. Half of McLaws' division not yet up. BRAXTON BRAGG. General S. COOPER. CHATTANOOGA, September 24, 1863. The report from General Hood last night was favorable. Our prisoners will reach 7,000, of which 2,000 are wounded. We have 25 stand of colors and guidons, 36 pieces of artillery, and have already collected 15,000 small-arms over and above those left on the field by our killed and wounded. More are being found. Our movements are much retarded by limited field transportation and the breaks on the road. General S. COOPER. BRAXTON BRAGG. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Three Miles from Chattanooga, September 24, 1863. SIR: The enemy having thrown the main body of his forces from his depot at Stevenson to the south of Chattanooga, in the direction of our communications, it became necessary for me to meet that movement or suffer an isolation from my supplies, and the proba ble destruction of our depots and workshops. Major-General Buckner with his forces, entirely too weak to cope with the heavy column approaching him from Kentucky, and threatened by a corps in his rear, had been withdrawn from the line of railroad through East Tennessee and united with this army. Unable to divide without great danger to both parts, our opponents having the power to concentrate on either, I marched from Chattanooga on the 8th instant with the whole force, and took position opposite the enemy's center, extending from the crossing of the Chickamauga to La Fayette, Ga. This movement checked the enemy's advance, and, as I expected, he took possession of Chattanooga, and looking upon our movement as a retreat, commenced a concentration and pursuit. As soon as his movements were sufficiently developed I marched on the 17th instant from La Fayette to meet him, throwing my forces along the Chickamauga between him and my supplies at Ringgold. On the afternoon of the 18th, we effected a crossing of the Chickamauga at two points, about 7 miles nearly due west from Ringgold, after considerable resistance and some loss. These forces moved at daylight on the 19th up the Chickamauga, and were joined by others, which crossed in succession as their positions were unmasked. About 10 a. m. our right encountered the enemy, and the action soon became hot and extended gradually toward our left. It was most obstinate until dark, and only resulted in partial success. Our forces were all concentrated that night, and a vigorous assault ordered at daylight on the 20th, to commence on the right and be taken up to the left. By delays, not yet satisfactorily explained, this movement was not made until near 11 o'clock, and after I had visited that part of the field and reiterated my orders to Lieutenant-General Polk. After being commenced it was promptly, vigorously, and satisfactorily followed on the left under LieutenantGeneral Longstreet. We met with the most obstinate resistance, the enemy holding selected positions strengthened by barricades, slight breastworks of timber and abatis, all concealed from us in a dense forest. Though frequently repulsed at points, our troops invariably returned to the charge, and when night suspended the work the whole field was ours. The next morning the enemy had entirely disappeared from our front, leaving his dead and wounded. A vigorous pursuit followed his rear guard into Chattanooga, where we found him strongly intrenched. We lost some artillery the first day, but recovered all before the close of the action. Thirty-six pieces taken from the enemy have so far been reported and secured. We have also collected about 15,000 stand of small-arms over and above what were left on the field from our casualties, and have some 25 stand of colors and guidons, and about 7,000 prisoners. These gratifying results were obtained at a heavy sacrifice on our part. Major-General Hood lost a leg on the 20th, when gallantly leading his command. Brig. Gen. Preston Smith was killed on the 19th, and Brig. Gens. B. H. Helm and James Deshler fell on the next day-all gallant soldiers and able commanders. Brigadier-Generals Gregg, McNair, and Adams were severely wounded, the first two not dangerously; the latter is missing. The accounts of him are conflicting, but he probably fell into the hands of the enemy. Brigadier-General Brown was slightly wounded, but is again on duty. The loss of inferior officers and men, though known to be large, is not yet sufficiently ascertained to justify an estimate. The conduct of the troops was admirable. Though often repulsed, they never failed to respond when called on, and finally carried all before them. For two weeks most of them had been without shelter, on short rations, in a country parched by drought, where drinking water was difficult to obtain, yet no murmur was heard, and all was glee and cheerfulness whenever the enemy was found. During the action, and for a day or two before, and up to this time, all were on short rations and without cooking utensils. The enemy had concentrated against us four corps, being all of Rosecrans' army, and one infantry standard was captured from a regiment of Burnside's old army corps-the Ninth. But three small infantry brigades of General Longstreet's command had joined us. Under all the circumstances we could not have anticipated more satisfactory results, and feel that the protection of a merciful Providence has been extended to us at time when the safety of our cause was involved. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, General S. COOPER, Adjt. and Insp. Gen., C. S. Army, Richmond, Va. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Three Miles South of Chattanooga, September 29, 1863. SIR: Herewith will be found an approximate return of the killed, wounded, and missing at Chickamauga.* Some of the missing are returning, and many of the wounds reported are very slight. Returns from the cavalry have not been received. They will swell the aggregate to nearly if not quite 18,000. A field return of the present effective strength (infantry and artillery) is also inclosed. The enemy far exceeds us in strength now, and is rapidly and heavily re-enforcing. Every available man should be pushed to our assistance. The question of subsistence should receive early attention, as our supplies are nearly exhausted at Atlanta. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, General S. COOPER, Adjt. and Insp. Gen., C. S. Army, Richmond, Va. [Inclosure.] FIELD RETURN OF THE EFFECTIVE STRENGTH OF THE ARMY OF· The artillery is much crippled by loss of horses. KINLOCH FALCONER. Assistant Adjutant-General. * Not found. + Includes Buckner's. + See Lee to Davis, September 14, 1863, Series I, Vol. XXIX, Part II, p. 720. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE, SIR: In my report from this place, dated September 24, 1863, occurs this sentence: "But three small infantry brigades of General Longstreet's command had joined us." This was intended and should have been made to apply to the commencement of the action on Saturday, the 19th. Two other brigades of McLaws' division joined on Sunday morning, and rendered distinguished service on that day. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, General S. COOPER, Adjutant-General, Richmond, Va. WARM SPRINGS, GA., SIR: I forward the reports of the battle of Chickamauga by my aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Ellis. The maps of the battle-field have been so long and so unexpectedly delayed that I conclude not to wait for them any longer. They are daily expected from Dalton, where I left them nearly completed, and will be forwarded as soon as received. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, General S. COOPER, Adjutant-General, C. S. Army, Richmond, Va. General. WARM SPRINGS, GA., SIR: Most of the subordinate reports of the operations of our troops at the battle of Chickamauga having been received are herewith forwarded, and for the better understanding of the movements preceding and following that important event the following narrative is submitted: On August 20, it was ascertained certainly that the Federal army from Middle Tennessee, under General Rosecrans, had crossed the mountains to Stevenson and Bridgeport. His force of effective infantry and artillery amounted to fully 70,000, divided into four corps. About the same time General Burnside advanced from Kentucky toward Knoxville, East Tennessee, with a force estimated by the general commanding that department at over 25,000. In view of the great superiority of numbers brought against him General Buckner concluded to evacuate Knoxville, and with a force of about 5,000 infantry and artillery and his cavalry took position in the vicinity of Loudon. Two brigades of his command (Frazer's, at Cumberland Gap, and Jackson's, in Northeast Tennessee) were thus severed from us. The enemy having already obtained a lodgment in East Tennessee by another route, the continued occupation of Cumberland Gap became very hazardous to the garrison and comparatively unimportant to us. Its evacuation was accordingly ordered, but on the appeal |