The rude breastworks of logs and rails, constructed the night before, saved the lives of thousands of Thomas’s troops. The men placed themselves behind these, their artillery in the rear firing over their heads. Their long line of defences appeared like an immense pyrotechnic serpent, instinct with hideous and withering life, which it belched continually, in volumes of smoke and flame, from its ghastly length. Again and again the rebel lines emerged from the cover of the woods, into the open corn-fields, charged with impetuous fury and terrific yells toward this formidable obstacle, but each of the fiery blasts from the Union batteries and battalions met them, and their ranks were swept away as if washed by a rushing flood. But as fast as the line fell off, another appeared, rushing sternly on over the dead and bleeding bodies of their fallen comrades.
Thomas fought with his forces of Saturday, weakened by Saturday’s heavy losses. It was an unequal contest. He now learned that the Union right had been turned, and thus the enemy was in his rear, in force. He notified General Reynolds of the fact. General Wood had barely time to dispose his troops, on the left of Brennan, before they were both exposed to a succession of such assaults as are above described. General Gordon Granger, at the head of Steedman’s division of his corps, appeared now on Thomas’s right, and was ordered to push forward and take position on Brennan’s right. Steedman moved his troops into position with almost as much precision as if on drill, and, fighting his way to the crest of the hill on Brennan’s right, moved forward his artillery, driving the enemy down the southern slope, and inflicting on him a most terrible loss in killed and wounded. The opportune arrival of fresh troops revived the flagging spirits of the Federals, and every assault from that time till nightfall was repulsed in the most gallant style by the whole line. Their ammunition, however, ran very low, for the ammunition trains had been by some mistake removed to the rear; and, had it not been for the small supply furnished by General Steedman’s command, Thomas’s men would have had no resource but the bayonet.
General Thomas now received General Rosecrans’ despatch from Chattanooga, directing him to take command of all the forces, and assume a threatening attitude at Rossville. Accordingly, at half past five P. M. the retirement of the Union troops commenced, under the direction of General Thomas. Turchin, of General Reynolds’ division, executed a manœuvre, with the view of covering the retreat, by which two hundred prisoners were captured. A brigade commanded by Colonel Robinson of Reynolds’ division, assisted by Turchin and General Willich, were posted on the road leading through the ridge, to hold the ground while the troops passed by to Rossville. The rebel leaders Stoull, Gibson, Helm, Wood, and Polk had all day been hurling their commands against General Thomas’s lines, and now prepared to make a final effort. The signal was given and forward they pressed, with their wonted wild yell. Johnson’s and Baird’s division, which were preparing to retire, saluted them with several volleys as they advanced, but nothing could stay the tide and the exhausted veterans began to waver in the face of the charging, shouting, thundering host which confronted them; the next moment, wave after wave of the rebel sea came surging upon the breastworks, dashing madly against and over the barrier, and greedily swallowing up many of its defenders, with their ammunition and material. Never was resistance more stubborn and determined, and never was attack prosecuted with more devilish pertinacity.
“But all too late the advantage came
To turn the odds of deadly game;”
for night had come on; the enemy’s forces were moving undisturbed toward Rossville; and the Army of the Cumberland, after having had the narrowest possible escape from annihilation, was saved by the masterly generalship and intrepidity of General Thomas.
Major-General George H. Thomas was born in Virginia, July 31, 1816. He graduated at West Point in 1840, and served with distinction in the war with Mexico. He was subsequently stationed in Texas and in the Indian territories. When the rebellion broke out, he was a Major in the regular cavalry. A sincere patriot, he remained true to the flag which he had so long and so honorably served, and he soon rose to the rank of Colonel. In August, 1861, he was made Brigadier-General of Volunteers in the Department of the Cumberland. After much active service, and after thoroughly beating the rebels at Mill Spring, he, with his division, joined General Buell, at Nashville. In April, 1862, he was constituted Major-General of Volunteers. When General Rosecrans assumed command of the Army of the Cumberland, he was assigned to the command of the centre.
MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE H. THOMAS.
In personal appearance General Thomas is dignified and manly; in habit temperate, and distinguished alike for wisdom in council and courage in battle, “George H. Thomas,” said General Rosecrans, “is a man of extraordinary character. Years ago, at the Military Academy, I conceived that there were points of strong resemblance between his character and that of Washington; and I was in the habit of calling him General Washington.” General Thomas is singularly modest and unobtrusive in his demeanor. He was a brigadier-general for some months before he put on the uniform of that office. He did not assume the double star till after the battle of Stone river, though made a major-general more than six months before.