Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892 to James Wilson

Colonel Gibson writes from the Headquarters of General Daniel Weisiger Adams's Brigade. He informs Wilson, Assistant Adjutant General of John Cabell Breckinridge's Division, of the details of the recent Battle of Chickamauga. He reports that Adams's Brigade is composed of the 13th, 16th, 19th, 20th, and 25th Louisiana Volunteers, the 32nd Alabama Volunteers, Austin's Battalion Louisiana Sharpshooters, Captain S. H. Slocomb's Battery, and Washington's Artillery. Relates "I was engaged in reforming my Regiment when informed, that, Brig-Genl D. W. Adams having been disabled by a wound, the command of the Brigade devolved upon me." He writes "The Brigade halted victorious at night, on the very ground whence it had recoiled at midday... I cannot speak in terms too high of the bearing of the Officers and men of this Battery. The skill of the former is only equalled by the bravery of the latter...The Brigade entered the action with one hundred and twenty Officers, and lost in killed and wounded thirty-three with twelve hundred enlisted men and lost in killed, wounded & missing three hundred and ninety-six" (pages 4, 5, and 6). He reports that roughly six hundred prisoners were captured during the battle. A two-line addition written at the top of page six is also signed by Gibson.