he brigade in its first combat, though without the
knowledge of Colonel Stuart; but it was not with the brigade during the
rest of the day. The adjutant, however, returned with a score of men
after the regiment disappeared.

General Johnston, having personally seen the battle begun on his left
and centre, proceeded to reconnoitre the National right and try the
feasibility of turning it. Chalmers, called from his attack on Prentiss,
retired a short distance and halted half an hour, waiting for a guide
and further orders. He then marched directly south across the ravine
which runs eastwardly and debouches into Lick Run near the site of
Stuart's camp, and, advancing along the high land beyond, eastwardly
toward the river, arrived opposite Stuart's camp. Here the fire of the
skirmishers sent across the ravine by Stuart threw the Fifty-second
Tennessee into disorder. Chalmers, finding it impossible to rally more
than two companies of the regiment, ordered the remaining eight
companies out of the line, and they took no further part in the battle.

Here Chalmers halted half an hour while Clanton's cavalry reconnoitered
along the river. About ten o'clock, or a little later, Stuart having
withdrawn his two remaining regiments, the Fifty-fourth Ohio and
Fifth-fifth Illinois, back across the eastern extremity of the field to
the summit of a short, abrupt ascent in timber, Chalmers deployed his
brigade and advanced. The advantage of position partially compensated
Stuart for his inferiority in numbers. A contest with musketry across
the open field lasted some time without effect. Stuart reports it lasted
two hours. Clanton moved his cavalry forward along the river bluffs
toward Stuart's rear, around his left flank; Chalmers charged across the
field, and Stuart retreated to another ridge in his rear, and again
formed. Chalmers, being out of ammunition, and the wagons being far to
the rear, halted till ammunition could be brought up.

Meanwhile, Jackson's brigade, the Third Brigade of Withers' division,
marched to attack McArthur. The assault was gallantly made; but the
troops, unable to stand the steady fire which they encountered, fell
back. Being rallied after a rest, they renewed the attack. For a long
time the fate of the obstinate struggle was undecided. At length
McArthur's two regiments, pounded by well-posted batteries, yielded to
Jackson's persistent attack, after the Ninth Illinois had lost 61 killed
and 287 wounded, and