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wheeled carriages。 Retiring sullenly under a heavy fire； while the
general line was reformed to my right and rear； my division was at
length drawn through the cedars and debouched into an open space near
the Murfreesboro' pike； behind the right of Palmer's division。 Two
regiments of Sill's brigade； however； on account of the conformation
of the ground； were obliged to fall back from the point where
Woodruff's brigade of Davis's division had rallied after the disaster
of the early morning。 The division came out of the cedars with
unbroken ranks； thinned by only its killed and woundedbut few
missing。 When we came into the open ground； McCook directed
Roberts's brigadenow commanded by Colonel Luther P。 Bradleyto
proceed a short distance to the rear on the Nashville pike； to repel
the enemy's threatening attempt at our communications。 Willingly and
cheerfully the brigade again entered the fight under these new
conditions； and although it was supplied with but three or four
cartridges to the man now； it charged gallantly and recaptured two
pieces of artillery which the Union troops had had to abandon at that
point。
Shortly after we debouched from the cedars I was directed by
Rosecrans to send some aid to the right of General Palmer's division；
and two of Schaefer's regiments； having obtained ammunition； were
pushed up on Palmer's right； accompanied by four of Hescock's guns；
but the advance of the enemy here had already been checked by Palmer；
and only a desultory contest ensued。 Rosecrans； whom I now met in
the open ground west of the railroad； behind Palmer； directed that my
command should relieve Wood's division； which was required to fall
back and take up the new line that had been marked out while I was
holding on in the cedars。 His usually florid face had lost its ruddy
color； and his anxious eyes told that the disasters of the morning
were testing his powers to the very verge of endurance； but he seemed
fully to comprehend what had befallen us。 His firmly set lips and；
the calmness with which his instructions were delivered inspired
confidence in all around him； and expressing approbation of what my
division had done； while deliberately directing it to a new point； he
renewed in us all the hope of final victory； though it must be
admitted that at this phase of the battle the chances lay largely
with the enemy。
Withdrawing the two regiments and Hescock's battery； that I had
posted on the right of Palmer； I moved as directed by Rosecrans into
the position to the east of the railroad； and formed immediately to
the right of Wood； who was now being attacked all along his front；
but more particularly where his right rested near the railroad。
Under a storm of shot and shell that came in torrents my troops took
up the new ground； advancing through a clump of open timber to Wood's
assistance。 Forming in line in front of the timber we poured a
telling fire into the enemy's ranks； which were then attacking across
some cleared fields； but when he discovered additional troops
confronting him； he gave up the attempt to carry Wood's position。 It
was here that I lost Schaefer； who was killed instantly； making my
fourth brigade commander dead that day。 The enemy in front of Wood
having been checked； our whole line east of the railroad executed
undisturbed its retrograde movement to a position about three hundred
yards to its rear。 When I fell back to the edge of the clump of
timber； where when first coming on the ground I had formed to help
Wood； I was ordered by Rosecrans to prepare to make a charge should
the enemy again assault us。 In anticipation of this work I massed my
troops in close column。 The expected attack never came； however； but
the shot and shell of a furious cannonade told with fatal effect upon
men and officers as they lay on their faces hugging the ground。 The
torments of this trying situation were almost unbearable； but it was
obvious to all that it was necessary to have at hand a compact body
of troops to repel any assault the enemy might make pending the
reconstruction of the extreme right of our line； and a silent
determination to stay seemed to take hold of each individual soldier；
nor was this grim silence interrupted throughout the cannonade；
except in one instance； when one of the regiments broke out in a
lusty cheer as a startled rabbit in search of a new hiding…place
safely ran the whole length of the line on the backs of the men。
While my troops were still lying here； General Rosecrans； with a part
of his staff and a few orderlies； rode out on the rearranged line to
supervise its formation and encourage the men； and in prosecution of
these objects moved around the front of my column of attack； within
range of the batteries that were shelling us so viciously。 As he
passed to the open ground on my left； I joined him。 The enemy seeing
this mounted party； turned his guns upon it； and his accurate aim was
soon rewarded； for a solid shot carried away the head of Colonel
Garesche； the chief…of…staff； and killed or wounded two or three
orderlies。 Garesche's appalling death stunned us all； and a
momentary expression of horror spread over Rosecrans's face； but at
such a time the importance of self…control was vital； and he pursued
his course with an appearance of indifference； which； however； those
immediately about him saw was assumed； for undoubtedly he felt most
deeply the death of his friend and trusted staff…officer。
No other attacks were made on us to the east of the railroad for the
rest of the afternoon； and just before dark I was directed to
withdraw and take up a position along the west side of the Nashville
pike； on the extreme right of our new line； where Roberts's brigade
and the Seventy…third and Eighty…eighth Illinois had already been
placed by McCook。 The day had cost me much anxiety and sadness； and
I was sorely disappointed at the general result； though I could not
be other than pleased at the part taken by my command。 The loss of
my brigade commandersSill； Roberts； Schaefer； and Harrington…and a
large number of regimental and battery officers； with so many of
their men； struck deep into my heart： My thinned ranks told the
woeful tale of the fierce struggles； indescribable by words； through
which my division had passed since 7 o'clock in the morning； and
this； added to our hungry and exhausted condition； was naturally
disheartening。 The men had been made veterans； however； by the
fortunes and misfortunes of the day； and as they went into their new
places still confident of final success； it was plain to see that
they felt a self…confidence inspired by the part they had already
played。
My headquarters were now established on the Nashville pike； about
three miles and a half from Murfreesboro'； my division being aligned
to the west of the pike； bowed out and facing almost west； Cleburn's
division of the Confederates confronting it。 Davis's division was
post