The Cumberland Guard's

Chickamauga Information Page

updated 9-22-99

Headquarters, 4th Brigade
Army of the Cumberland
Camp at Chickamauga
September 18, 1863

After Action Report }
Number 1 ________}

As directed by Division command, the 4th Brigade assembled at 6:00 a.m. to advance upon and capture what was reported to be an undersized rebel brigade. The Brigade advanced in good order with 2nd Battalion in front as skirmishers. 1st and 3rd formed a battle line to their rear and advanced in darkness toward the enemy position.

Light skirmishing followed. The Brigade encountered a rocket attack from an unknown source on our left flank. As the attack continued the Brigade struck enemy forces and did no damage to the Brigade.

The 2nd Battalion then encountered an over whelming force of at least a division of infantry and a brigade of cavalry.

A battle line was formed as the enemy covered our entire front and threatened our left flank. At this time Colonel Shackelford was wounded and moved to the rear to receive medical attention. He was removed by army ambulance.

Colonel Giffin then assumed command of the Brigade moving the Brigade back in good order against overwhelming numbers. The Old Guard rallied to protect the Brigade's left flank during the retreat.

Respectfully submitted,
Major James C. Dedman,
Chief of Staff, 4th Brigade

Headquarters, 4th Brigade
Army of the Cumberland
Camp at Chickamauga
September 19, 1863

After Action Report }
Number 2 ________}

Yesterday, September 18, 1863, the Brigade moved as ordered to a high position on the Division's left flank. Colonel Giffin, commanding in the absence of Colonel Shackelford, ordered entrenchments dug and fortifications erected. Shortly the ridge top was a fortress with cannon batteries on either end.

About 2:30 p.m. a rebel battalion attempted an assault. This was followed by another and another. Their attacks lacked coordination and were easily repulsed.

Presently a brigade attempted an assault. Then another. Their dead and wounded littered the field. Finally a division made an assault and added their dead to the slope.

Captured were about 100 prisoners including the gallant Colonel Medich whose brigade made the most determined attack.

I am pleased to report that our own casualties were light.

Special mention should be made of Lt. Lowe who carried the brigade standard on the ridge top encouraging the men.

Respectfully submitted,
Major James C. Dedman,
Chief of Staff, 4th Brigade

Headquarters, 4th Brigade
Army of the Cumberland
Chattanooga, Tennessee
September 22, 1863

After Action Report }
Number 3 ________}


The Brigade withdrew to Snodgrass Hill under the command of Colonel Giffin as ordered. A battery was located to the left of the Brigade and our Old Guard was posted beyond that.

Following an artillery bombardment the Brigade was assaulted by a rebel brigade. A portion of the 3rd Battalion was moved to support and protect the battery. That attack was repulsed and a rebel division attacked our position. The other wing of the 3rd Battalion was advanced on the right to give an enfilade fire. The Division was repulsed.

General Warnick arrived on the field and ordered a shift to the right and for the 3rd Battalion to reunite on the right. A rebel battalion then attacked the unprotected artillery battery. They took the guns and Snodgrass Hill. General Warnick then led a charge of his mounted escort and our Old Guard, surrounding the rebel battalion, retaking the guns, and compelling the surrender of the entire enemy battalion.

More prisoners followed as rebels wandered into our lines to surrender. They were escorted to the rear and totaled over 300 captured.

Ammunition expended, the Brigade withdrew when pressed by another rebel division.

Despite the crowded roads the Brigade retired in good order to Chattanooga where Colonel Shackelford rejoined the command recovering from his wounds.

Respectfully submitted,
Major James C. Dedman,
Chief of Staff, 4th Brigade

ORGANIZATION OF CUMBERLAND GUARD
4TH BRIGADE:

Colonel David Shackelford, commanding (W)
Colonel Terry Giffin, commanding
Major James Dedman, chief of staff
Neil Dickey, chief musician
Bill Holshuh, assistant inspector general
Lt. Matt Merta, aid de camp
2nd Lt. Kurt Lowe, aid de camp
Corporal Tom Elett, chief of mounted aides

Mounted Escort - 3rd Indiana Cavalry

1st Battalion [Cumberland Guard]

Colonel Jack Hickman, commanding

2nd Battalion [Department of the Mississippi]

Colonel Earl Zeckman, commanding
Major Ammons, wing commander
Major Holt, wing commander
Bob Magee, adjutant

3rd Battalion [Cumberland Guard/Iron Brigade/Black Hats]

Colonel Terry Giffin, commanding
Lt Colonel Paul Worthington, comanding
Major Scott Wallick
Adj. Lt Mark Busche
Sgt Major Harold Lowrie

SCENERIO ASSIGNMENTS:

JAY'S MILL
"Which of these Brigades is the one I am supposed to capture?"
- Colonel John T. Croxton,
6:30 a.m. Saturday
Click Here for Details


SHACKELFORD'S 4th BRIGADE will portray:

The Second Brigade
Col. John T. CROXTON (w) - Col. WILLIAM H. HAYS

(of the 3rd Divsion, Brigadier General John M. Brannan, commanding,
of the 14th Corps, Major General George H. Thomas, commanding).

COMPOSED OF THE FOLLOWING REGIMENTS:
{10th Indiana, 74th Indiana, 4th Kentucky, 10th Kentucky, 14th Ohio}

ORGANIZATION OF 1ST BATTALION: as the 21st MICHIGAN

ORGANIZATION OF 2nd BATTALION: as the 125th OHIO

ORGANIZATION OF 3rd BATTALION:

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS ON JAY'S MILL

A.P. STEWART'S ASSAULT
2:30 p.m. Saturday
Click Here for Details

SHACKELFORD'S 4th BRIGADE will portray:

The Third Brigade
Col. WILLIAM GROSE.

(of the 2nd Divsion, Major General John M. Palmer, commanding,
of the 21st Corps, Major General Thomas Crittenden, commanding).

COMPOSED OF THE FOLLOWING REGIMENTS:
{84th Illinois, 36th Indiana, 23d Kentucky, 6th Ohio[1ST BATTALION], 24th Ohio}

ORGANIZATION OF 1ST BATTALION as the 6th Ohio:

*3rd, 21st, 3rd, 8th Michigan (hereinafter referred to as Michigan units)

ORGANIZATION OF 2nd BATTALION: as the 125th OHIO

ORGANIZATION OF 3rd BATTALION:

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS ON STEWART'S ASSAULT

CLEBURNE'S ASSAULT
7:00 p.m. Saturday
Click Here for Details

SHACKELFORD'S 4th BRIGADE will portray:

The Second Brigade
Col. JOSEPH B. DODGE.

(of the 2nd Divsion, Brigadier General Richard W. Johnson, commanding,
of the 20th Corps, Major General Alexander McCook, commanding).

COMPOSED OF THE FOLLOWING REGIMENTS:
{77th Pennsylvania, 29th Indiana, 30th Indiana, 79th Illinois, Ohio Light Artillery, 20th Battery}

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS ON CLEBURNE'S ASSAULT

JOHNSON'S BREAKTHROUGH: Horseshoe Ridge / Snodgrass Hill
12:00 noon Sunday
Click Here for Details

SHACKELFORD'S 4th BRIGADE will portray:

The Second Brigade
Col. John T. CROXTON (w) - Col. WILLIAM H. HAYS

(of the 3rd Divsion, Brigadier General John M. Brannan, commanding,
of the 14th Corps, Major General George H. Thomas, commanding).

COMPOSED OF THE FOLLOWING REGIMENTS:
{10th Indiana, 74th Indiana, 4th Kentucky, 10th Kentucky, 14th Ohio}

ORGANIZATION OF 1ST BATTALION: as the 38th INDIANA

ORGANIZATION OF 2nd BATTALION: as the 125th OHIO

ORGANIZATION OF 3rd BATTALION:

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS ON JOHNSON'S BREAKTHROUGH

FEDERAL ORDER OF BATTLE

updated 7-5-99

DIVISION
Major General C. Warnick, commanding

Lt. Colonel S. Draper, Chief of Staff

1st BRIGADE - Colonel Dal Bello

2nd BRIGADE - Colonel Abelson

3rd BRIGADE - Colonel Hodges

4th BRIGADE - Colonel Shackelford

CAVALRY - Major Crowder

TO READ ABOUT THE VARIOUS TOPICS
CLICK ON ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

FEDERAL ORDER OF BATTLE

Information Link to the National Chickamauga Homepage

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