$AutoSetup 
 
 
 
<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24>Player Option:
 
The objective 'Auto Historical Setup Day3' is presently set and being activated with an officer.  Once activated it will re-position all units to the 'day three' historical positions.  Depending on surviving units, all 'day three hold objectives' will be immediately manned and activated with the 'Historical Setup'.  
 
To stop this activation and retain the present setup move the officer out of the objective's radius, 15 yards.  
 
If opted to deactivate, this objective must be deactivated within the next sixty seconds.  It is located northwest of General Rosecrans original position.
 
Save the game after closing this message to try both ways.
 
//
//
$Sept19thAM 
 
 
 
<FONT=HelpText,C,8,12,24>Morning of the 19th
 
<FONT=HelpText,L,25,25,112>Date:<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24>  7:30 a.m., September 19, 1863
<FONT=HelpText,L,25,25,112>Location:<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24> Jay's Mill, west of Chickamaugha Creek 
<FONT=HelpText,L,25,25,112>Weather:<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24> Clear and cool
 
<FONT=HelpText,L,25,25,112>Situation:<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24> In the actions of the day before, two brigades of the Reserve Corps had been marched down Reed’s Bridge Road to support Minty’s cavalry brigade.  They arrived just as the trailing end of Bushrod Johnson’s division was marching down the road, capturing several stragglers.  This action convinced Colonel Dan McCook that he could potentially trap an isolated Rebel brigade on the west side of the river, unaware of the presence of the bulk of the Confederate army to the south, already on the west side.  His plan was to attack at daylight.  The ensuing action would throw Bragg off balance, as he did not expect a fight so far to the north of his current position. 
<FONT=HelpText,L,25,25,112>Mission:<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24> Secure the five 'morning of the 19th' objectives.  Each objective will set with each of the five courier messages.
 
Major Victory - 12000 
//
//
$Sept19thPM 
 
 
 
<FONT=HelpText,C,8,12,24>Afternoon of the 19th
 
<FONT=HelpText,L,25,25,112>Date:<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24> 12:30 p.m., September 19, 1863
<FONT=HelpText,L,25,25,112>Location:<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24> west of Chickamaugha Creek 
<FONT=HelpText,L,25,25,112>Weather:<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24> Clear and cool
 
<FONT=HelpText,L,25,25,112>Situation:<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24> As Colonel Croxton's brigade retires the last Rebel brigade from the morning battle a large enemy division appears from the south.  Croxton retires after a brief firefight withdrawing his weary brigade to safety.  General Rosecrans is swift to reply, sending two divisions to meet this new threat, Johnson's division from the XX Corps and Palmer's division from the XXI Corps.  In the south, Rosecrans orders General Davis to probe the deep woods east of the Viniard Field for the enemy's left flank.
<FONT=HelpText,L,25,25,112>Mission:<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24> Secure all objectives.  Objectives generally set with courier messages announcing the arrival of reinforcements, or by previous objectives, upon capture.
 
Major Victory - 27000  
//
//
$Sept20thAM
  
 
<FONT=HelpText,C,8,12,24>Morning of the 20th
 
<FONT=HelpText,L,25,25,112>Date:<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24> 9:30 a.m., September 20, 1863
<FONT=HelpText,L,25,25,112>Location:<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24> west and along Lafayette Road
<FONT=HelpText,L,25,25,112>Weather:<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24> Clear and cool
<FONT=HelpText,L,25,25,112>Remaining Length of Play:<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24> 4 hours, 30 minutes
(Battle Time Represented: 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM)
 
<FONT=HelpText,L,25,25,112>Situation:<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24> Since dawn the Army of the Cumberland has been preparing for a Confederate attack.  Now consolidated, it holds a formidable position along Lafayette Road with adequate access routes to ferry troops and supplies as necessary.  However, it's command structure is a mess with corps divided and spread far apart.
Victory or defeat is up to you General, you can win this day by responding swiftly and effectively to enemy breakthroughs while constantly maintaining your position.  
<FONT=HelpText,L,25,25,112>Mission:<FONT=HelpText,L,8,12,24> Secure and hold all objectives.  Lost objectives may eventually set three additional 'fall back to' objectives: Dyer Field, Blacksmith Shop and Horseshoe Ridge.
 
Major Victory - 75000  
//
// 
$Rosecrans <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>
Dispatch sent to General Mitchell:
 
HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
7:00 a.m., September 18th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Mitchell,
        You must hold your position and prevent the Rebels from crossing the creek as long as possible.  Adjust your forces as necessary to prevent any breach of the three bridges guarded.  If the enemy reaches our supply line to your immediate west this battle will be lost before it begins.
  
Maj Gen William Rosecrans
Commander
Army of the Cumberland
//
$Rosecrans2 <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
4:30 p.m., September 18th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Mitchell,
        Your men have fought well and slowed the enemy's advance.  However, the Rebel cavalry has found the fords along the creek and your flanks are in great peril.  Withdraw immediately to the designated map location. 
 
Maj Gen William Rosecrans
Commander
Army of the Cumberland
//
//
$Thomas <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
7:30 a.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Thomas,
        Begin your offensive immediately.  Our forces are still too separated to meet the enemy affectively so a minor offensive action should distract from Bragg's intensions and give us time to unify the army.  Do not commit too many troops too soon.  Delaying enemy movements is key to the success of this offensive.
  
Maj Gen William Rosecrans
Commander
Army of the Cumberland
//
//
$Reinforcements_DerVeer <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Thomas)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
8:00 a.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Thomas,
Colonel Van Derveer's brigade has arrived north of Colonel Croxton's engaged brigade and will provide support as necessary.
 
Respectfully,
 
Brig Gen John Brannan
3rd Division, XIV Corps
//
//
$Reinforcements_Ohio <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Thomas)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
8:30 a.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Thomas,
I have ordered the 31st Ohio, detached from Colonel Connell's brigade, to move and support Colonel Croxton's position.
 
Respectfully,
 
Brig Gen John Brannan
3rd Division, XIV Corps
//
//
$Reinforcements_Connell <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Thomas)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
8:45 a.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Thomas,
Colonel Connell's brigade has been ordered to Colonel Van Derveer's position to counter enemy reinforcements coming from the southwest.
 
Respectfully,
 
Brig Gen John Brannan
3rd Division, XIV Corps
//
//
$Reinforcements_Baird <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Thomas)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
11:00 a.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Thomas,
My division is moving into position as ordered.  I am confident we can sweep the field of the enemy.
 
Respectfully,
 
Brig Gen Absalom Baird
1st Division, XIV Corps
//
//
$Thomas2 <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
12:30 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        It is good to report of our successful engagements north of Brotherton Road.  The Rebels we fought all morning have retired but scouts report a fresh division arriving from the south.  I am sending Johnson's division, XX Corps, to meet this latest threat as we buy time to consolidate our forces.
  
Maj Gen George Thomas
Commander, XIV Corps
Army of the Cumberland
//
//
$Palmer <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
1:00 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        General Palmer's division is positioned now to support General Johnson's right flank.  The enemy is getting dangerously close to our supply line along Lafayette Road.  I'm ordering more units up from the south to fortify this possible breach.
  
Maj Gen George Thomas
Commander, XIV Corps
Army of the Cumberland
//
//
$Beatty <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
1:15 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        My division is arriving at Brotherton Field to support as ordered.  Colonel Beatty's brigade is in position and Colonel Dick's brigade is still moving up.
  
Brig Gen Horatio Van Cleve
Commander, 3rd Division XXI Corps
//
//
$Viniard <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
2:00 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        Our orders to probe for the enemy's left flank has brought my lead brigade into the sights of a large Rebel force just east of Viniard Field.  We will fallback, regroup, attack if necessary, and await reinforcements.
  
Brig Gen Jefferson Davis
Commander, 1st Division XX Corps
//
//
$Turchin <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
2:10 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        General Turchin’s brigade is moving to relieve General Hazen as ordered.
  
Maj Gen Joseph Reynolds
Commander, 4th Division XIV Corps
//
//
$King <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
2:20 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        Colonel King's brigade is successfully repositioned to the right of General Van Cleve's division as ordered.
  
Maj Gen Joseph Reynolds
Commander, 4th Division XIV Corps
//
//
$Davis <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
2:30 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        So far enemy resistance is light east of Viniard Field.  However, scouts report more Rebels on the move further east, gathering strength and heading this way.
  
Brig Gen Jefferson Davis
Commander, 1st Division XX Corps
//
//
$Davis2 <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
3:00 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        Viniard Field is now occupied by Rebels.  We're doing our best to hold Lexington Road as the enemy continues to pressure our position.  Reinforcements are beginning to arrive.
  
Brig Gen Jefferson Davis
Commander, 1st Division XX Corps
//
//
$BrothertonField <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
3:00 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        The enemy has gained my right flank so I must move my division back beyond Lafayette road and set up a defensive line.
  
Brig Gen Horatio Van Cleve
Commander, 3rd Division XXI Corps
//
//
$Barnes <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
3:15 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        Colonel Barnes's brigade has arrived at the Viniard Field as ordered and is awaiting further orders.
  
Brig Gen Horatio Van Cleve
Commander, 3rd Division XXI Corps
//
//
$BrothertonRoad <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Thomas)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
3:15 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Thomas,
        The main enemy force has retired for now but a new threat is moving in from the east Brotherton Road area.  
  
Brig Gen Richard Johnson
Commander, 2nd Division XX Corps
//
//
$Buell <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
3:30 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        Colonel Buell's brigade has arrived at the Viniard Field as ordered and is awaiting further orders.
  
Brig Gen Thomas Wood
Commander, 1st Division XXI Corps 
//
//
$ABrockHouse <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
3:45 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        The enemy has crossed Lafayette Road north of Viniard Field.  Along with Harker's brigade that has just arrived, my cavalry should be able to handle the threat and drive the Rebels back beyond Lafayette road.
  
Colonel John Wilder
Commander, Lightning Brigade
//
//
$Bradley <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
5:00 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        Colonel Bradley's brigade has arrived at the Viniard Field as ordered and is awaiting further orders.
  
Maj Gen Philip Sheridan
Commander, 3rd Division XX Corps
//
//
$Negley <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
5:00 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        General Negley's division has arrived west of Lafayette Road near the Brotherton Road junction.  This fresh division should secure our line of supply before nightfall.
  
Maj Gen George Thomas
Commander, XIV Corps
Army of the Cumberland
//
//
$Laiboldt <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
5:30 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        Colonel Laiboldt's brigade has arrived at the Viniard Field as ordered and is awaiting further orders.
  
Maj Gen Philip Sheridan
Commander, 3rd Division XX Corps 
//
//
$Baird <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
6:00 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        General Baird's division is moving to support General Johnson's left flank.
  
Maj Gen George Thomas
Commander, XIV Corps
Army of the Cumberland
//
//
$WinfreyObjectives <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
6:00 p.m., September 19th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        I've ordered General Johnson to hold his position until nightfall, and sending General Baird’s division to support as another Rebel division is moving in from the southeast.
  
Maj Gen George Thomas
Commander, XIV Corps
Army of the Cumberland
//
//
$Thomas3 <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
9:30 a.m., September 20th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        The anticipated enemy attack is about to begin on our left.  Rebel battle lines are clearly on the move to our northern flank.  Fortunately we've had time to fortify our position and will give a good fight.  I will be moving troops up as necessary to insure the stability of our left flank and rear.  
  
Maj Gen George Thomas
Commander, XIV Corps
Army of the Cumberland
//
//
$Johnson <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Thomas)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
10:00 a.m., September 20th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Thomas,
        Two enemy brigades are approaching our defenses.  We are confident with our position and in our ability to hold it, morale is high.  
  
Brig Gen Richard Johnson
Commander, 2nd Division XX Corps
//
//
$Johnson4 <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Thomas)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
6:00 p.m., September 20th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Thomas,
        Urgent!  Major Rebel activity to my west and north, an attack before dark is imminent.  
  
Brig Gen Richard Johnson
Commander, 2nd Division XX Corps
//
//
$Negley2 <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Thomas)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
10:30 a.m., September 20th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Thomas,
        An enemy brigade has found our rear just east of Kelly field.  I have a strong brigade formed and ready to block their progress.  I'm confident we can drive them back north, or at least stall them until help arrives, will keep advised.  
  
Maj Gen James Negley
Commander, 2nd Division XIV Corps
//
//
$Johnson2 <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Thomas)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
10:50 a.m., September 20th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Thomas,
        Our northern position is receiving renewed pressure.  Reinforcements requested immediately.  
  
Brig Gen Richard Johnson
Commander, 2nd Division XX Corps
//
//
$Brannan <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Thomas)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
11:00 a.m., September 20th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Thomas,
        Our center is now under attack.  I'm concerned that our line won't hold the enemy assault for long because a massive build up could be coming this way, as our forward skirmishers last reported.  Reinforcements urgently requested!
  
Brig Gen John Brannan
Commander, 3rd Division XIV Corps
//
//
$Davis3 <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
11:10 a.m., September 20th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        Our right flank is under tremendous pressure from the enemy.  Without additional support I fear we won't hold much longer.
  
Brig Gen Jefferson Davis
Commander, 1st Division XX Corps
//
//
$Johnson3 <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Thomas)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
11:30 a.m., September 20th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Thomas,
        An enemy corps is approaching our northern most position.  Reinforcements requested immediately.  
  
Brig Gen Richard Johnson
Commander, 2nd Division XX Corps
//
//
$Wilder <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
11:40 a.m., September 20th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        Our rear right flank near the Widow Glenn cabin is under attack.  I'm ordering my cavalry brigade into the action but without reinforcements my division won't stop this attack for long.
  
Maj Gen Joseph Reynolds
Commander, 4th Division XIV Corps
//
//
$Reynolds <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
11:50 a.m., September 20th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        Our right flank along Lafayette Road has been routed.  My division is holding a ridge west of road but without reinforcements we won't hold for long judging by the Rebel numbers coming our way.  
  
Maj Gen Joseph Reynolds
Commander, 4th Division XIV Corps
//
//
$Wood <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
12:00 p.m., September 20th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        Our center and right flank have collapsed.  We are forming a new line east to west to protect our supply route.
  
Brig Gen Thomas Wood
Commander, 1st Division XXI Corps
//
//
$Steedman <FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>HDQTRS (Rosecrans)  <FONT=MsgFont,R,20,20,20>Chickamauga, Georgia
1:00 p.m., September 20th, 1863
<FONT=MsgFont,L,20,20,20>General Rosecrans,
        The fighting to our south was too much to ignore, we moved to the sound of the guns.  We've encountered Rebel cavalry but my two brigades should be able to keep them at bay until you can get orders to my command.
  
Brig Gen James Steedman
Commander, 1st Division Reserve Corps
//
//
//
$Nightfall <FONT=HelpText2,C,150,215,255>
Nightfall Begins
//
$EndDay1 <FONT=HelpText2,C,150,215,255>
End Day One
//
$EndDay2 <FONT=HelpText2,C,150,215,255>
End Day Two
//
//
//
$Scenario <FONT=EndFont,L,0,0,0>Chickamauga 3Days (U-Army)
//
//
//
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$EndMajorFail <FONT=EndFont,L,0,0,0>
Near Chickamauga, Georgia, our forces met the enemy in battle and suffered a major defeat.  Reports are just arriving by telegram to this office, but an anonymous source was quoted as saying, "An inquiry will be forthcoming, as certain officers should be removed from command immediately."  The flower of our youth has died on the field of battle.  A retreat is probable.  We must be prepared for the worst.  Heavy casualty lists are to follow...
//
//
//
$EndMinorFail <FONT=EndFont,L,0,0,0>
Near Chickamauga, Georgia, our forces met the enemy in battle and suffered a minor defeat.  Reports are just arriving by telegram to this office as the fight continues.  A retreat is possible.  We must be prepared for the worst.  Casualty lists are to follow...
//
//
//
$EndDraw <FONT=EndFont,L,0,0,0>A battle in the west was fought in the vicinity of Chickamauga, Georgia today.  Reports are just arriving by telegram to this office as the fight continues, but victory or defeat is still unknown.  We wish good fortune to the troops on that far away field, and as always we must be prepared for the worst.  Casualty lists are to follow...
//
//
//
$EndMinorSuccess <FONT=EndFont,L,0,0,0>
Near Chickamauga, Georgia, our forces met the enemy in battle and achieved a minor victory.  Reports are just arriving by telegram to this office as the fight continues, but there is a long road to march before we see the end to this struggle.  Casualty lists are to follow...
//
//
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$EndMajorSuccess <FONT=EndFont,L,0,0,0>
Near Chickamauga, Georgia, our forces met the enemy in battle and achieved a major victory.  Reports are just arriving by telegram to this office as the fight continues, but there is a long road to march before we see the end to this struggle.  Casualty lists are to follow...
//
//
//
$EndKilled <FONT=EndFont,L,0,0,0>Today our side lost another valiant officer at Chickamauga, Georgia.
//
$BattleInfo <FONT=EndFont,L,0,0,0>September 18, 1863
William Rosecrans followed up his successful Tullahoma Campaign with an offensive aimed at forcing the Confederates out of Chattanooga. The three army corps of the Army of the Cumberland split and set out for Chattanooga by separate routes. Clever deception convinced elements of Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee to abandon Chattanooga and, in early September, Rosecrans began to consolidate his scattered troops and head south in pursuit of Bragg's army.  Determined to reoccupy Chattanooga, Bragg marched his army north on September 17.  After skirmishing with Union cavalry and John T. Wilder's Lightning Brigade—mounted infantry armed with Spencer repeating rifles—Bragg opened the battle in earnest on September 19 by hammering the Union left.  Though the Federal line held, Bragg renewed his assault the following day.  In the rush to send troops to his embattled left, Rosecrans mistakenly believed he had a gap in his line.   The Union commander’s efforts to correct the imagined error created real breach, one that was exploited with deadly consequences by James Longstreet’s newly arrived corps.  Longstreet's attack created paralyzing confusion in the Union ranks, including Rosecrans himself, who was driven from the field with a third of his force.  George H. Thomas took over command and began consolidating forces on Horseshoe Ridge and Snodgrass Hill where the Federals repeatedly fought off the Rebels' determined assaults.  Darkness soon ended the contest and Thomas then led the remnant of the Army of the Cumberland men from the field.  The Union retired to Chattanooga while the Rebels occupied the surrounding heights.
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On the morning of September 18, 1863, Confederate Gen. Bushrod Johnson’s division, supported by Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Cavalry, crossed west Chickamauga Creek near Reed’s Bridge to attack the Union left flank.  Federal Col. Robert Minty, tasked with guarding the approach to Reed’s Bridge with only three cavalry regiments, a battalion of Fourth U.S. Cavalry, and a section of the Chicago Board of Trade battery, delayed the Confederate crossing.  At 7:30 a.m., Forrest began a skirmish with Minty a mile east of Reed’s Bridge, opening the Battle of Chickamauga with a fierce fight that continued throughout the afternoon.  As Johnson’s superior force advanced, Minty was pushed back toward Reed’s Bridge, where he formed a line to hold off the Confederate assailants.  Desperate for reinforcements, Minty called on Col. John T. Wilder, who sent over seven companies of the 72nd Indiana Mounted Infantry, the 123rd Illinois Mounted Infantry, and a section of Capt. Eli Lilly’s Battery while in the midst of his own struggle at Alexander’s Bridge.  Reinforcements, however, could not hold off Forrest’s cavalry.  In one quick onrush, Forrest drove the stubborn Federals over the bridge.  Col. John Fulton's Tennesseans pushed across the bridge behind them, still under fire from Minty's men.  As the Chicago Board of Trade battery raked the opposing Confederates with canister shot, Forrest’s cavalry forded the creek, and Minty was finally forced to retreat, ending the skirmish that began the Battle of Chickamauga. 
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