r have been written, yet the tale is far from complete. Of
the fighting, let it be said briefly that it covered miles of territory
thickly overgrown with timber and crossed and recrossed by numerous
creeks and brooks, with here and there a rocky elevation or a stretch of
marsh land. In these thickets whole divisions became separated from
their comrades in arms, and often a single regiment on one side would be
found fighting a regiment on the other side, totally ignorant of what
was going on around them. It was almost impossible to move the artillery
around, and when pieces were captured they were generally found to be
"white elephants" upon the victor's hands.

As has been said, Thomas opened the fight. He had been told by McCook of
the isolated Confederate brigade, McCook stating that the bridge behind
the brigade had been burned, so the Confederates could not retreat. To
capture this brigade Thomas sent Brennan forward, with the result that
the Union forces soon encountered, not one brigade, but three, under
Forrest, which were protecting Bragg's right flank. The fighting opened
fiercely, and it was found necessary to send Baird to the support, along
with an extra Ohio regiment. But more of the Confederate forces
appeared, under Liddell, and two brigades of Union troops were hurled
back, with the loss of ten pieces of artillery.

This was the first round of the great contest, but ere the enemy had
been given time to take breath, the Union troops pressed forward once
more, and now, by a gallant charge of the Ninth Ohio one of the
batteries lost was regained.

Thomas was now reenforced by a portion of Crittenden's command and some
troops of McCook's, while Cheatham reenforced the Confederate front. The
latter came forward in two columns, and as they separated Bragg placed
Steward in the opening. The Confederates came on with terrific yells and
in turn sent back first Palmer and then Van Cleve in great disorder.
For a moment it looked as if the enemy would sweep all before them.

But Davis's division was now on the ground, and he advanced, supported
by Wood, and the Union forces came to a halt and were reformed, when
they drove almost all the Confederate forces back to their original
positions. Sheridan's troops also took part in this movement, and a
large number of the Confederates in Longstreet's corps were made
prisoners.

It was now past noon, and after several charges in his division
positions, Bragg began anot