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Chattanooga, Part 19 – Chickamauga Sept. 19 – Viniard Farm (Part C)
Nov 4, 2009 7:08 PM
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Chattanooga, Part 19 – Chickamauga Sept. 19 – Viniard Farm (Part C)
At Rosecrans’ headquarters at the Widow Glenn’s house, all attention was directed at the conflict to the north around Brock’s Field, where Van Clift and Stevenson were locked in combat. It wasn’t until after 3:00 p.m. that Rosecrans became aware that there was a problem in the vicinity at Viniard Farm, and there were a series of messages to McCook to release at least part of Sheridan’s division to assist Davis. It wasn’t until 4:00 p.m. that Sheridan’s brigades of Bradley and Laiboldt were on the LaFayette Road heading north, and Bradley’s brigade, leading the march, didn’t reach Viniard Field until an hour later. Bradley deployed his regiments in line two lines of battle across the field, facing east.
Sheridan ordered them forward, with instructions to drive back Robertson’s and Benning’s brigades. Buell joined on Bradley’s left flank with the remnants he could gather with him. But as Bradley’s forces crested the rise just to the east of the road, they were silloetted against the fading light and Robertson’s Texans let loose with a hail of accurate gunfire. Benning’s men, in the woods to the north, contributed flanking fire. The 22nd Ill. lost ninety men within ten minutes. Bradley and his acting assist. Adjutant general, who was beside him, were both struck by the first volley. The survivors fell back against the second line. As Bradley’s men continued to fall in harrowing numbers, they were at least able to recover some of Estep’s guns which had been abandoned in the earlier route. Col. Walworth took command of the brigade, and as darkness fell over the field he withdrew the brigade to the west side of the LaFayette Road.
The strain of the day upon the commanders was becoming apparent. A half hour earlier, Bradley had tried to talk to Crittenden who appeared on the scene, without success. “It impressed upon me that his manner was most unfortunate under the circumstances”, he reported. Carlin too, broke under the strain. He horse had been shot earlier, and now as night fell the horse collapsed in the middle of the LaFayette Road. As Carlin remove the saddle and tack, he sat on the saddle in the middle of the road, weeping uncontrollably. The wounded Bradley was later confronted by Crittenden as he hobbled toward the rear, who apologized after he recognized Bradley and then rode off.
As darkness fell, everyone was thankful for the chance to rest. The Confederates counted their losses and searched for friends and wounded. The Union commanders counted themselves lucky that the disasters of the day had not been more complete. Only Sheridan wanted to renew the contest, eager to bring in Laiboldt’s brigade, which was on the right of Walworth. He sought out Crittenden and appealed to him for a chance to open one more attack, which thought could roll up the Confederate left flank. But Crittenden had heard similar promises all day long, and he was in no mood to resume the offensive. His men were too played out to resume the offensive. Sheridan had to resign himself to resting his men for the next day’s action.
But as tired as they were, the Union soldiers weren’t all sleeping. The Confederates could hear them felling trees and constructing log barricades to protect them from the attack they expected in the morning.
But as bad as things were in Brock's Field and the Viniard Farm, these weren't the only actions that day. There was other brutal combat being conducted elsewhere between the LaFayette Road and the Chickamauga.
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