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Report of Capt. James T. Weaver, Sixtieth North Carolina Infantry.
HDQRS. SIXTIETH N. C., REGT.,
STOVALL'S BRIG.,
September 28, 1863.
CAPT.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the
part taken by
the Sixtieth North Carolina Regt. in the recent
battles of Chickamauga, on the 19th and 20th:
On Saturday, the 19th,
the regiment was in line of battle all day,
but was not engaged until about sundown that evening. Our
brigade was moved
in a new direction and occupied a position on
or near the battle-field of Saturday.
On Sunday morning, the 20th
instant, our brigade was formed in
the following order: First and Third Florida on the right; Sixtieth
North Carolina
in the center, and the Forty-seventh Georgia on
the left, the Fourth Florida being held in reserve and as a support
for
the skirmishers. All necessary dispositions having been made,
about 9 o'clock we were ordered to move forward until we
met
the enemy. After advancing about 400 yards we received a fire
of musketry from the front, at which time 2 of the
lieutenants
belonging to this regiment were so severely wounded that they
had to be carried from the field. At this
juncture we were
ordered to charge, which was done in gallant style, and meeting
but feeble resistance we crossed the
Chattanooga road and
advanced beyond that point about 200 yards, where we were
halted. We here captured a prisoner,
who stated that we were in
rear of their original line about 250 yards. Heavy firing being
heard to the left, we were
ordered to that point. We changed
front by filing to the right, and facing by the rear rank were
hurriedly marched in
the direction of said fire. Having
approached to within 400 yards of enemy's line, we received a
heavy fire from the
front, and from there advanced through a
brisk fire to within 200 yards of the enemy's line, where we
were halted and
returned the enemy's fire. At this place and time
Lieut.-Col. Ray, commanding regiment, was wounded and left
the field.
After a sharp engagement for twenty minutes, the
Florida regiment on our left was forced back by what I have
understood
to have been a flank movement of the enemy on their
left, of which movement I was ignorant, and held my men firm.
However,
in a short time the Forty-seventh Georgia, being hotly
pressed on my right, was forced
to retire, which left me no alternative
but to withdraw my
men or be captured. I retired out of range, rallied the regiment,
and held it steady until relieved
by a staff officer and carried to
where the balance of the brigade had formed, still in the rear.
Up to this time my
loss was 8 men killed, 6 officers wounded,
and 30 enlisted men wounded, 16 enlisted men missing; total
loss, 60.
From
this time we were comparatively inactive until the last and
final charge, which decided the fate of the day, and in which
my
regiment participated with as much enthusiasm as could be,
notwithstanding the regiment had had no rations for two
days.
This last charge was attended with no casualties.
Allow me here to say that the officers and men composing
this
regiment acted throughout the day in a way entirely satisfactory
to their commander, and my thanks are especially
due Capt.
Whitehead for the efficient services rendered me on the field. I
would respectfully call attention to his
brave and gallant conduct
during the whole engagement.
Respectfully submitted.
J. T. WEAVER,
Capt., Comdg.
Regt.
[Capt. J. P. C. WHITEHEAD, Jr.,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.]
Source: Official Records, CHAP. XLII. THE CHICKAMAUGA CAMPAIGN. [Series I. Vol. 30. Part II, Reports. Serial
No. 51.]
Recommended Reading: No Better Place to Die: THE BATTLE OF STONES
RIVER (Civil War Trilogy). Review from Library Journal: Until now only three book-length studies of the bloody Tennessee
battle near Stone's River existed, all old and none satisfactory by current historical standards. This important book covers
the late 1862 campaign and battle in detail. Though adjudged a tactical draw, Cozzens shows how damaging it was to the South.
Continued below...
Not only did it effectively lose Tennessee, but it completely rent the upper command structure of the Confederacy's
major western army. Valuable for its attention to the eccentric personalities of army commanders Bragg and Rosecrans, to the
overall campaign, and to tactical fine points, the book is solidly based on extensive and broad research. Essential for period
scholars but quite accessible for general readers. (It is available in hardcover and paperback.)
Editor's Choice: CIVIL WAR
IN WEST SLIP CASES: From Stones River to Chattanooga
[BOX SET], by Peter Cozzens (1528 pages) (University of Illinois Press). Description: This
trilogy very competently fills in much needed analysis and detail on the critical Civil War battles of Stones
River, Chickamauga and Chattanooga. "Cozzens' comprehensive study of these three great battles has set
a new standard in Civil War studies....the research, detail and accuracy are first-rate." Continued below...
Mr. Cozzens' has delivered a very valuable,
enjoyable work deserving of attention. The art work by Keith Rocco is also a nice touch, effecting, without sentimentality...historical
art which contributes to the whole.
Recommended Reading: Six Armies in Tennessee:
The Chickamauga and Chattanooga
Campaigns (Great Campaigns of the Civil War). Description: When Vicksburg fell to Union forces under General
Grant in July 1863, the balance turned against the Confederacy in the trans-Appalachian theater. The Federal success along
the river opened the way for advances into central and eastern Tennessee, which culminated
in the bloody battle of Chickamauga and then a struggle for Chattanooga. Continued below...
Chickamauga is usually counted as
a Confederate victory, albeit a costly one. That battle—indeed the entire campaign—is marked by muddle and blunders
occasionally relieved by strokes of brilliant generalship and high courage. The campaign ended significant Confederate presence
in Tennessee
and left the Union poised to advance upon Atlanta and the
Confederacy on the brink of defeat in the western theater.
Recommended Reading: This Terrible Sound: THE BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA (Civil War Trilogy)
(Hardcover: 688 pages) (University of Illinois Press). Description:
Peter Cozzens is one of those amazing writers that brings you onto the
field and allows you to experience the campaign. You advance with Cleburne's
Division as it moves through the dusk shrouded woods and your pulse races as you envision Gen. Lytle's command trying to decide
whether to save their dying commander or flee as the Rebs pound up that smoke-filled hill. Continued below...
This
account of the Battle of Chickamauga is first rate and thrilling. The profusion of regimental and brigade disposition maps
are particularly useful for any serious visit to the battlefield. There are some intriguing ideas introduced as well. Forrest's
role in the early stages of the battle is fascinating to read and to contemplate. Also revealing are the ammunition problems
that plagued the mounted units; a problem that would hinder Forrest's command at Spring Hill a year later.
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