Colonel M.L. Smith, in his report, calls this command the Fifth Brigade,
Third Division. The regimental commanders in their reports style it,
Fifth Brigade, General C.F. Smith's division. Following was Cruft's
brigade. General Wallace says, in his report: "As a support, two Ohio
regiments, under Colonel Ross, were moved up and well advanced on the
left flank of the assailing force, but held in reserve." Colonel Ross,
of the Seventeenth Illinois, arriving at the front that morning and
reporting for duty, was at once assigned to the command of the brigade
composed of the Seventeenth and Forty-ninth Illinois, and, as ordered by
General McClernand, moved with General Wallace in support and reserve,
till recalled about dark by McClernand. An Ohio regiment, the Twentieth,
Colonel Whittlesey, did go out in support and reserve, but it was not
under Colonel Ross, and it remained close to the enemy's works all
night.

The column approached the ridge held by Drake's brigade and the
Twentieth Mississippi. M.L. Smith's brigade came in front, where the
slope was bare; Cruft had to push up through bushes. General Wallace
speaks with admiration of the advance by Smith. He advanced his line and
ordered it to lie down, and to continue firing while lying down. As soon
as the fire of the enemy on the summit slackened, the regiments rose,
dashed up the hill, and lay down again before the fire from the hill-top
could be made effective. In a short time, with rapid bounds, the summit
was gained. Cruft's brigade pushed up through the bushes. Drake fell
back within the intrenchments. Wallace stationed his picket-line close
to the enemy's works. The retiring Confederate force took with them six
captured pieces of artillery, several thousand small arms, and between
two and three hundred prisoners; but returned to their trenches weary,
disappointed, disheartened.

In the night General Floyd and General Buckner met with General Pillow
and his staff, at General Pillow's headquarters, to consider the
situation. After some recrimination between Pillow and Buckner whether
the intention and plan had been to commence the retreat directly from
the battlefield, or first to cut a way out and then return to the works,
equip for a march and retreat by night, it was agreed to evacuate that
night and march out by the ground which had been gained. Pillow ordered
the chief quartermaster and the chief commissary to burn the stores at
half-past five in the mornin