officers was easily to
be seen by their language and manner towards him. This feeling was
constantly fed by disparaging articles in the opposition press. The
enemy in arms could easily see that this was a golden opportunity, and
they availed themselves of it. They commenced a movement which indicated
an advance against our forces. Gen. Wall, of the rebel army, had by
rapid marches put himself between Gen. Pike and his base. This forced
a movement on the part of our troops to the rear, and necessitated an
immediate attack upon Gen. Wall in order to drive him back from the
threatening position he occupied. The troops were moved rapidly back
in the direction of Cow Creek, where it was intended by Gen. Pike to
assault him.

"The army was at last all collected in easy supporting distance, and
Pike moved out with Gen. Horn's corps and assaulted Gen. Dawn's division
of Wall's army. The contest was a spirited one, and lasted until well
in the night. Dawn finally retreated. During the night all arrangements
were made for an advance. The next morning the General-in-chief of the
rebel armies was moving by forced marches in order to join Wall prior
to any serious engagement, and Pike was determined to attack Wall before
the main army of the enemy could arrive; but, to his utter astonishment,
his forces under Farlin, ordered to join him from the base of supplies,
were not in motion as yet, as he ascertained; and so with Fitzgibbon,
who had been repeatedly urged to come with all dispatch. This left Pike
in such a condition that he must delay his attack, which delay might
bring great disaster to his army. Pike sent his staff officers to notify
those Generals of his desires and intentions, which was done; but all
manner of excuses were given for the delay. Finally, the next day, when
part of his forces had arrived, Fitzgibbon coming up leisurely with his
corps of magnificent soldiers, he was forced to commence the battle in
the absence of Farlin and his corps. He moved out, putting his cavalry
on the right flank, near Siddon Springs, threatening the left of Wall's
army, who were formed in line of battle at or near a small town called
Pageland. Rackett holding Pike's right, Shunk in the center, and
Brig-Gen. David Lyon on the left of Shunk, his left resting on the edge
of a grove of thick timber. The extreme left of the command was held by
Gen. Fitzgibbon's corps. It was understood that Fitzgibbon would attack
the enemy during the engag