Failure in the Saddle, Confederate Cavalry at Chickamauga-- Part 5: 3rd Failure

s both sides attacked and counterattacked.  .  On September 20th, a miscommunication among the Union command made a hole in the Union lines just as Longsteet's corps from the Army of Northern Virginia commenced an attack at that very spot.  This resulted in the collapse of the Union line and a general retreat.

THE THIRD CONFEDERATE CAVALRY FAILURE

On September 21st, Forrest sent out cavalry patrols to Missionary Ridge, south of Chattanooga.  he thought the Federals were in complete disarray and rapidly abandoning Chattanooga, but did nothing.  Actually the part of Missionary Ridge that the Confederates got to was the one spot where Union troops were not.  It was soon found that Rosecrans held a very strong defensive position on Missionary Ridge.

So, Forrest Misreported.  --Old Secesh

A General's Journey From Goat to Hero: Thomas J. Word-- Part 2

After the defeat, Rosecrans accused Word of not moving his division as ordered. Then arose a question of whether he was following orders. Because of this, Confederates under Gen. Longstreet attacked where Wood's division had just been and were able to break the Union line and win the Battle of Chickamauga.

His reputation under fire, Word redeemed himself at the Battle of Chattanooga when his division was only supposed to make a feint at Confederate lines on Missionary Ridge, but continued on to force the Confederates to retreat and break the siege of Chattanooga.

Goat to Hero. --Old Secesh