2-piper and Stan....
Before it is all lost... here is the text of a letter Col. Wilder wrote to Sgt. Bothwell long after the war. Evidently
Bothwell was trying to clarify certain facts about the two days action. This letter now resides at the battlefield.
August 27th, 1890
C.H. Bothwell, Esq.,
Holton, Mo.
My Dear Sir:
Your favor of Aug. 1st, received. As I have not as yet received a copy of the map of Chicamauga Battle fields you speak of, showing our position at Alexander Bridge on Friday, I am unable to give the information you seek. I have had a great deal of trouble trying to get justice done our brigade in regard to location and services at Chicamauga. We were so detached and did so much fighting on our own hook most of the time that the chiefs of corps did not know of the important services we rendered, and cannot realize that we stood the brunt of hard fighting all the afternoon of Friday, nor can they understand that we saved the day on Saturday on our right; nor further can they realize that we broke Longstreets left, and turned his famous charge away from McCook's corps.
I shall write to-day to the War Department asking for a full set of the maps, and hope to be able to give you more information later. In the meantime you would do well to write the War Department direct, giving your ideas of the battle of Chicamauga.
Please give my best regards to Geo. Chapman, and believe me, I am,
Truly your friend,
(J T Wilder)
P.S: I think the wounded of Friday night were taken back somewhere near Lee & Gordon's mill. I know they were taken to Crawfish Springs later, but it was impossible for me to keep track of all these details as I had my hands full keeping track of the enemy, and holding them back from running over everything.
J.T.W.
P.S. I know we're WAY off double gun topic here so I'll stop. Sorry.
Last edited by Joe Wood; 11/23/12 11:46 PM.
