Smith's Brigade

At dusk on September 19, 1863, Smith's Brigade of Cheatham's Division in Polk's Corps was ordered forward in support of Deshler's Brigade of Cleburne's Division in a night attack on Johnson's Division. Just before reaching this position, Deshler's Brigade moved to its left to encompass the right flank of Johnson's line. General Preston Smith, unaware of this movement, rode ahead with his staff in advance of his line, encountered Dodge's Brigade in the darkness, and was killed along with two members of his staff, Captain J.S. Donelson, his acting adjutant general, and Captain Thomas H. King, a volunteer aide. In this movement, Smith's and Deshler's Brigades captured nearly all of the 77th Pennsylvania and about half of the 79th Illinois of Dodge's Brigade. The engagement lasted for an hour after dark.

Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia · United States