to Buell's headquarters, about two and
a half miles distant, and informed him of the situation, but this
did not awaken him to the apprehension that a battle was about to
be fought. McCook's entire command present on the field was soon
engaged against great odds. Of this Captain Fisher of McCook's
staff informed Buell in his tent at 3.30 or 4 P.M., and Buell
claimed it was his first news that a battle had been raging on his
front.

Polk, with three divisions of infantry and a complement of artillery,
and with cavalry on each flank, had fallen on the two unsupported
divisions of McCook, choosing his place and manner of attack
skilfully. Rousseau's right was struck soon after Terrill's brigade
was driven back, and the whole of his division was soon in action.
The Confederates advanced under cover of their artillery fire,
outflanking Rousseau's right. His troops stood to their work
against odds and made a most gallant resistance. Their right was
turned, when Gilbert's idle corps was near enough to have come at
once into action and afforded it protection. McCook's command,
though suffering much, was not driven from the field. My old
regiment occupied the crest of a hill, its right behind a hay-barn.
In this position, under Colonel John Beatty, it fought, exposed to
a heavy fire from the enemy's batteries and to a front and flank
fire from his infantry. The barn at last took fire, and its flames
were so hot the right of the regiment was forced to temporarily
give way. Its loss was 190 of its then 500 men in line, including
Captains Cunard and McDougal and Lieutenants St. John and Starr
among the killed. Colonel W. H. Lytle, commanding the brigade,
was wounded and captured.

The Confederates gained possession temporarily of only portions of
the battle-ground, and night found McCook's corps still confronting
them.

Sheridan and R. B. Mitchell's divisions of the Third Corps in the
evening made some diversion, driving back and threatening Polk's
left. Buell late in the day ordered reinforcements sent to McCook,
but they reached him too late for the battle. Polk claimed a
victory, but while he had some temporary success, both armies slept
on the field.

The failure of Buell to know or hear of the battle until too late
to put his numerous troops near the field into it was the subject
of much comment. Had Crittenden and Gilbert been pushed forward
while Bragg's forces were engaged with McCook, his army should h