Report of Col. W. H. Bishop, Seventh Mississippi Infantry.
HDQRS. SEVENTH MISSISSIPPI REGT.,
In Line, near Chattanooga, October 5, 1863.
CAPT.:About 10 o'clock on the morning of September 20, I
moved forward with the remainder of the brigade, keeping about
200 yards in rear of Gen. Deas' line, as a reserve. Passing the
first line of the enemy's works, from which Deas' brigade had
driven them, and crossing the Chattanooga and Lee and Gordon's
Mills road, I closed up to about 50 yards of Deas' line, which
had been checked and broken by the enemy at their second line
of works. In obedience to orders, passing through Gen. Deas'
line, I attacked the enemy in my front, drove them from their
position, capturing three pieces of artillery, and pursued them
nearly a mile. In this charge I lost 2 men killed and about 10
officers and men wounded, among the latter Color Sergt. W. J.
Nunnery.
About 1 p. m., with the Ninth and Forty-first Mississippi
Regt.'s, I moved about half a mile to the right, and with them
formed in rear of and as a support to the Forty-fourth and Tenth
Mississippi
Regt.'s. Soon after, reserve and all moved up and attacked
the enemy who were posted on the crest of a high ridge.
Occupying the extreme right of the brigade in the attack, I
succeeded in gaining a position within a few feet of the crest of
the ridge, when the line next on my left gave way. I held this
position for a few minutes, but was compelled to give the order
to retire, on account of a galling fire from the enemy on my left
flank, which rested in a ravine running up to the crest of the
ridge, and which was left exposed by the line giving way on my
left. Falling back about 150 yards, I formed on the left of
Kershaw's brigade, which in the meantime had also fallen back
behind their works. Soon after I formed again on the right of my
own brigade. Two other attacks were made during the afternoon,
but without success.
Color Corpl. Mat. Stringer, Company G, who succeeded Color
Sergt. W. J. Nunnery as color bearer, deserves particular
mention for his cool intrepidity and gallantry. The flag-staff was
shot in two when near the crest of the ridge.
My loss in the first attack in the afternoon was very great.
Among the killed, I regret to say, were Capt.'s J. M. Brister and
G. A. Robertson, brave and gallant soldiers and attentive and
efficient officers.
The fighting in this attack was the best I have ever seen, our
advance to the crest of the ridge being contested by the enemy
step by step.
My whole loss amounts to 10 killed, 64 wounded, and 1 missing.
Three of the wounded have since died.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. H. BISHOP,
Col., Comdg. Regt.
Capt. WALKER ANDERSON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
I omitted to mention in the preceding report that after the third
attack in the afternoon, at the request of Col. Kelly, I was
ordered by Gen. Anderson to go to the support of one of the
regiments in Col. Kelly's brigade, where I remained until the
enemy withdrew from their position on the ridge.
Lieut. W. J. Proby, Company A, and Lieut. John D. Cooper,
Company G, deserve particular mention for their gallantry,
courage, and efficient service throughout the whole action.
Very respectfully,
W. H. BISHOP,
Col., Comdg. Regt.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 321-51 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., N. ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. XLII.
[Series I. Vol. 30. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 51.]