Cleburne's division at Jonesborough

[ReveaZapcre]

Cleburne was commanding Hardee's corp at Jonesborough. I have read sources which state that on the first day, Cleburne's division's was ordered to flank the Union line. But instead, this happened.

" Cleburne's division finally began moving toward the Union right flank and Osterhaus. But instead of wheeling to face the angled blue line as planned, the entire division kept going straight until it had chased Kilpatrick's cavalry clear across the river, in the process becoming disconnected from John C. Brown's division on their right as they scrambled back into the creek ravine in disorder. "

Cleburne's division was supposed to be one of the best divisions in the AoT. This performance seems bizarre, to say the least, even with Cleburne not in direct command. Is there an explanation anywhere?

 

[gunny]

Not that I'm aware of. General Mark P. Lowery was commanding the division, and this was his first assignment at division command so far as I know. I think he just lost control of the brigades when they got over-zealous chasing the retreating cavalrymen.

 

[Luke Freet]

Cleburne was commanding Hardee's corp at Jonesborough. I have read sources which state that on the first day, Cleburne's division's was ordered to flank the Union line. But instead, this happened.

" Cleburne's division finally began moving toward the Union right flank and Osterhaus. But instead of wheeling to face the angled blue line as planned, the entire division kept going straight until it had chased Kilpatrick's cavalry clear across the river, in the process becoming disconnected from John C. Brown's division on their right as they scrambled back into the creek ravine in disorder. "

Cleburne's division was supposed to be one of the best divisions in the AoT. This performance seems bizarre, to say the least, even with Cleburne not in direct command. Is there an explanation anywhere?

Reading Symonds' book on Cleburne, he chocked it up to Cleburne and Lowery (who commanded as senior brigadier of the division), that Lowery misunderstood a poorly worded order by Cleburne, thus why the attack fell apart like it did.