Brannan's Division

On September 19, 1863, at 7:30 a.m., Brigadier General John M. Brannan's division of Thomas' Corps, with brigades under Colonel John M. Connell, Colonel John T. Croxton, and Colonel Ferdinand Van Derveer, was engaged after leaving Gower's Ford on the upper Chickamauga at 5 p.m. on September 18th and reaching the LaFayette Road near Kelly's soon after daylight. Soon after sunrise, Brannan was ordered to advance on the roads leading toward Reed's Bridge and try to capture a small brigade reported to have crossed to the west side of the Chickamauga the night before. At Kelly field, Croxton's Brigade turned from the LaFayette Road toward Reed's Bridge, while Van Derveer's Brigade, forming the left of Brannan's line, turned eastward there, followed by Connell's Brigade. About a mile east of the LaFayette Road, Croxton encountered a strong enemy force that proved to be part of Pegram's Division of Forrest's Cavalry fighting dismounted. Van Derveer's Brigade, which had advanced a mile on the Ringgold Road, was immediately turned toward Croxton's left, and Connell's Brigade reinforced both parts of the line as the close-quarters fighting quickly became furious on both sides near Jay's Mill.

Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia · United States