Note: James W. Palmer was a member of Company B of Holloway's Cavalry. Holloway's Cavalry was also known as Bragg's, Hood's, and Johnston's Escort. Palmer was born 27 Dec 1826 and died 28 May 1899; buried Remlap UMC Cemetery. The following is one of several articles published by the Blount County News-Dispatch by James Palmer providing a rare first-person account of battle experienced by a Blount County native. The Blount County News-Dispatch 31 Aug 1893 War Reminiscences. By James W. Palmer. In my first I tried to draw a feint picture of a sham battle and the first appearance of any army in camp. In my second I tried to give your readers some idea of an army in transit, with the enemy close after it. Now, I propose to give you my experience in as brief a manner as I can, of a battle. Our headquarters were in Chattanooga from early in July to August 21, 1863. Both armies were spread for many miles up and down, on the banks of the Tennessee river. All points were closely watched. General Bragg has a signal corps on Lookout Mountain, and could see up and down the river for many miles. On the 21st of August, while the Confederates were observing the day with fasting and prayer, the Federals fired into the town wounding some women and children. Headquarters were moved out of town, and preparations for an engagement were begun. In a few days the Federals managed to get a brigade across the river below Lookout and it was making for the Rome & Dalton Railroad to cut off our supplies. About the 12th of September our headquarters were moved to Chickamauga creek, 13 miles from Chattanooga. Gen. Bragg sent 3 divisions, commanded by Gens. Hindman, Buckner and Anderson to capture the Federals. Hindman being in command by seniority. About 10 o'clock on the night of Sept. 13th, he sent ten of our company to go with them and I was one of the ten. He came out and told us that much depended upon our vigilance, that we must keep watch on both sides of the line of march, as the troops moved and give notice of any sign of the enemy. We marched through the country until 3 o'clock p.m. next day, when a line of battle was formed a mile in length, across fields, woods, hills and vales. The men had been marching for several hours with guns, knapsacks and accoutrements; yet they marched steadily in line for hours, expecting every moment to be engaged in battle. The troops lay that night on their arms, anticipating to bag the Yankees next morning. About dark I was called up an ordered to divest myself of everything which would show that I was a Confederate soldier and go with a guide and ascertain all I could about the camp number, position, etc., of the Federals. After many curious circumstances, we got back to headquarters about daylight. At 3 o'clock p.m. on that day, Gen. Hindman made a move on the enemy and captured a negro and two white men. The Federals recrossed the river, and Gen. Bragg came that night and held a council of war. We fed our horses, rested awhile in the camp deserted by the enemy the night before. At 10 o'clock that night we started for headquarters at Fayetteville, and got there before day. We were returned to our company which was called to go with Gen. Bragg to examine the Chickamauga country. Having been three days almost constantly in the saddle and sick, tired and exhausted, I was permitted to stay with the wagons where I soon recuperated. The army as now receiving recruits from up and down the river, and on the 19th of September the far-farmed battle of Chickamauga commenced in earnest. Cannon belched forth incessantly, and the rattle of musketry dinned continually throughout the day. At times we would gain a little and again we would lose; most of the day it was equipoised, and at night the firing ceased, but began early next morning with renewed vigor. I was still with the wagons, eight miles in the rear, but fearing the war would close before I had taken part in a battle, I got permission to go to the battlefield. The first thing I knew I rode up to a line of men lying down, and they told me that it would not be safe to go any farther in that direction. It was the reserve line. I then inquired for Gen. Bragg's headquarters and made for it. I saw the dead and dying carried to the rear, and when I got there I found there was nothing for me to do, so I returned to the wagons. You can find the full account of the battle in the United States histories more full than I can in this sketch. I assisted next day burying the dead on the battlefield, and helped my friends Claiborn and Will Hinds, to bury their brother, [Montgomery B. Hinds, Company B, 19th Alabama Infantry] who fell in defense of the South. We improvised a coffin out of an old wagon shed and laid him to rest till the resurrection morn. It was a fearful sight to see the blackened, disfigured, mutilated corpses, and at first, we were shocked and terrified beyond all description, but it was a work of necessity and had to be performed. To add to the horrors of the situation, the woods caught fire, and the clothes was burned off many a dead soldier. That night we slept in an old log hut, and next morning joined the main army at Missionary Ridge. Note: Claiborn W. Hinds was born 26 May 1829 and died 19 Feb 1901; he married Angeline Carns 15 Sep 1853; she was born 12 Jan 1836 and died 22 Feb 1902. Claiborn and Ann Hinds were buried in the Summit Cemetery.