Brannan's Division

On September 20, 1863, from 1 to 7:30 P.M., Brannan's Division of Thomas Corps, commanded by Brig. Gen. John M. Brannan and organized in three brigades under Col. Morton C. Hunter, Col. William H. Hays, and Col. Ferdinand Van Derveer, was struck after the head of Hood's column pierced the Union line at the Brotherton house and turned right, taking Brannan's line in flank and rear. Van Derveer's brigade had been sent to assist Baird at the extreme left, and the First and Second brigades, after stout resistance toward their right and rear, were forced back in disorder, though parts were rallied on this ridge with other forces and fragments of regiments numbering about 2500. Connell retreated toward Chattanooga with the greater part of the First Brigade, while Hunter remained on Snodgrass Hill with less than one-third of it. Harker's brigade of Wood's division, after holding back Hood's division while Brannan arranged his line, took position on the open ridge north and east of the Snodgrass house; Smith's Battery I, 4th U.S., was at the house, Stanley's brigade of Negley's division was next on the right, and Brannan's troops with many regimental fragments extended along the line. As Confederates turned Brannan's right flank, Steedman's division arrived at 2 P.M., drove them away from Brannan's right and rear, and extended his line on the ridge. Van Derveer's brigade rejoined from the Kelly field at 2:30 and immediately went into battle on Brannan's line to the left of Steedman. Confederate assaults were heavy and continuous from 1 o'clock until sunset, and after the fighting ceased Brannan's line withdrew unmolested at 7:30 by way of McFarland's gap to Rossville. The division's total strength in action on September 19 was 5,998, and its losses for both days were 325 killed, 1,652 wounded, and 214 missing, a total of 2,191, or 36.5 percent.

Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia · United States