20 September 2013

The 73rd Illinois At Chickamauga




The National Park Service at Chickamauga Battlefield provided the movements of Captain James A. Rice's 73rd IL (who was captured September 20th) during the Battle of Chickamauga:




LAIBOLDT'S BRIGADE
SHERIDAN'S DIVISION - MCCOOK'S CORPS
Col. Bernard Laiboldt
September 19, 1863, 5:00 P.M. 1st Position

44th ILLINOIS - Col. Wallace W. Barrett
73rd ILLLINOIS - Col. James F. Jaquess
2nd MISSOURI - Maj. Arnold Beck
15th MISSOURI - Col. Joseph Conrad

BATTERY G, 1ST MISSOURI LIGHT ARTILLERY - Lieut. Gustavus Schueler

Laiboldt's Brigade followed Bradley's from Lee and Gordon's Mills, and formed line on this ground about 5:00 as a support to Bradley. The latter Brigade, after severe fighting, repulsed the enemy, and Laiboldt's troops were not brought into action. The brigade bivouacked on this ground until near daybreak when it was withdrawn with the rest of its division to the high ground next west of Widow Glenn's.

Site Of Widow Glenn's House Burned During The Battle

LAIBOLDT'S BRIGADE
SHERIDAN'S DIVISION - MCCOOK'S CORPS
Col. Bernard Laiboldt
September 20, 1863, Morning, 1st Position

44th ILLINOIS - Col. Wallace W. Barrett
73rd ILLLINOIS - Col. James F. Jaquess
2nd MISSOURI - Maj. Arnold Beck
15th MISSOURI - Col. Joseph Conrad
BATTERY G, 1ST MISSOURI LIGHT ARTILLERY - Lieut. Gustavus Schueler

Before daylight of Sept. 20th this brigade was brought from its bivouac at Viniard's to this position where it held the right of Sheridan's Division with Lytle's Brigade on its left, Bradley's (Walworth's) being in reserve. At 11 o'clock the latter brigade relieved Laiboldt's which was sent to the left under instructions to occupy ground which had been held by Gen. Negley. Upon reaching the Dyer Fields it took position on the ridge west of the Tan Yard, Carlin's Brigade of Davis' Division having reached the ground which Laiboldt was ordered to cover.

LAIBOLDT'S BRIGADE
SHERIDAN'S DIVISION - MCCOOK'S CORPS
Col. Bernard Laiboldt
September 20, 1863, 11 A. M.

44th ILLINOIS - Col. Wallace W. Barrett
73rd ILLLINOIS - Col. James F. Jaquess
2nd MISSOURI - Maj. Arnold Beck
15th MISSOURI - Col. Joseph Conrad
BATTERY G, 1ST MISSOURI LIGHT ARTILLERY - Lieut. Gustavus Schueler

About 11 A. M. the brigade formed on the ridge west of this position in column of regiments. When Davis' line on the Brotherton place was attacked,  Laiboldt's Brigade was ordered to charge and pressed forward to the ground in front of this line, while part of the ridge it first held was occupied by Lytle's Brigade of Sheridan's Division. Carlin's Brigade was forced back over Laiboldt's and both over Lytle's, and all back nearly to Crawfish Springs Road. The line then rallied, regained the ridge, and forced the enemy toward the foot of it. The Union line was again driven back over the high ground west of the Crawfish Springs Road and off the field. Casualties Sept. 19th and 20th: Killed, 38; Wounded, 243; Missing, 108; Total, 389.

LAIBOLDT'S BRIGADE
SHERIDAN'S DIVISION - MCCOOK'S CORPS
Col. Bernard Laiboldt
September 20, 1863, Noon

44th ILLINOIS - Col. Wallace W. Barrett
73rd ILLLINOIS - Col. James F. Jaquess
2nd MISSOURI - Maj. Arnold Beck
15th MISSOURI - Col. Joseph Conrad
BATTERY G, 1ST MISSOURI LIGHT ARTILLERY - Lieut. Gustavus Schueler

At 11 A. M. Sept. 20, this brigade held the right of Sheridan's Division. Its position was just south of Widow Glenn's. When Longstreet's troops broke through the Union center at the Brotherton House, Sheridan's Division was moved rapidly to the left to support Davis' Division in an assault to restore the line. Liaboldt's Brigade, accompanied by Battery C, 1st Illinois, Capt. M. H. Prescott, of Walworth's Brigade, came into position on the slope, the battery to the left and rear of the infantry which was formed on the slope in column of regiments. Davis' Division was then being forced to the rear in confusion by an attack on its front and left; Laiboldt's Brigade charged down the slope and into the edge of the woods in its front, when it, in turn, being forced back retreated hastily to the hills west of this position whence it continued to McFarland's Gap. Prescott's Battery fired only 8 or 10 rounds from this position, being prevented by retreating men in its front. In retreating it lost three guns, the horses being shot down. Casualties: Killed, 38; Wounded, 243; Missing, 108; Total, 389.


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