nt of both of the positions
mentioned.

The disaster to the centre, followed by a determined attack on the
right, was more than the Union troops could bear, and they were forced
to give up ground, until another stand was taken, as described above. In
the meantime, Thomas was in ignorance of the state of affairs on the
right, yet he soon discovered that he was fighting more than his share
of the enemy on the left. He had massed his artillery on the slopes of
Missionary Ridge, and now he withdrew from his breastworks of trees and
dirt, and took up a position here. To get to the ridge was no easy work,
and the slaughter counted up into the thousands upon both sides.

A pause in the tide of battle followed. Like two giants the armies faced
each other, getting their "second wind," and speculating on how to
proceed next. Thomas held the ridge and the Confederates were bound to
drive him from it and shatter his forces. It was two o'clock and assault
after assault was made, lasting until sundown. At times the Confederates
would gain a slope or a minor ridge, but a Union division or a brigade
would rush upon them and dislodge them, or a battery would literally cut
them to pieces. The charges were truly magnificent, but Thomas and his
forces stood like so many rocks, and could not be dislodged. At sundown
the attacks ceased, and it was well that this was so, for many of the
Union troops were short of ammunition. In some cases the latter attacks
were repulsed solely with bayonets and clubbed muskets.

With the coming of night, it was deemed advisable to have Thomas's
forces withdraw in the direction of Chattanooga, and this plan was
carried out, although not without additional fighting, in which a few
men were lost and a large number of infantry were made prisoners. By
this movement the Army of the Cumberland was again reunited, and stood
once more as a wall between General Bragg and Chattanooga.

When Major Deck Lyon awoke in the morning he found the encampment of the
Riverlawns submerged in mist so thick it almost appeared as if it was
raining. Major Tom Belthorpe and Captain Artie Lyon were already astir,
and the three gathered together, to talk over the situation.

They were not, however, left alone long. Colonel Lyon had already been
moving around, surveying the "lay of the land," and had made the
discovery that a large portion of the enemy had crossed the Chickamauga.
While an early breakfast was being eaten, orders came