Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 4.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

The Unionists, posted behind strong protections, have suddenly checked Helm's march. Vainly does he endeavor to surround the salient angle of the enemy's line, vainly does he bring his men back to charge the Unionists through the thick underbrush swept with a shower of bullets: separated from the rest of his division and from Cleburne, who has not yet followed him, and deprived of any reserve force, his isolation condemns him to a sure discomfiture. Still, he dashes in and out among his officers, and soon sets them the example of a glorious death. At the time when he falls, struck down only a few steps from the Federal breastworks, the fight has extended along the entire line of the right wing. Breckinridge has reached the Chattanooga road and captured several pieces of artillery which had been imprudently exposed on that side without sufficient support. It is an easy victory, which the reconnoissances made by Forrest already enabled the Confederates to consider as being assured. They must make the most of it without delay, so as to take on the flank the enemy's left wing, the extremity of which Adams and Stovall have evidently doubled and thus put an end to all the defences of the Federals. Breckinridge immediately causes his two brigades to half wheel to the left, and advances in a southward direction, forming a line of battle perpendicular to the road, with Stovall on the left and Adams and his artillery on the right of this highroad of travel.

The movement is bold, well-designed, and dangerous to the Federals. But Thomas is not taken unawares. Having brought his left en potence to the rear, he counts upon Negley to fill the space which separates the brigade of regulars from the main road. It is known that Negley has unfortunately been detained with two brigades; but J. Beatty's brigade has come up on the left before the battle. Beatty's command presents a thin line, for it stretches beyond the roadway, but, the enemy advancing openly, it firmly receives toward ten o'clock the shock of Adams' troops with a part of Stovall's brigade. The left of the latter and the right of Helm's brigade unite against the regulars, who, being well posted, vigorously repulse the attack: the Confederates are too disheartened to resume the offensive.

On the main road, where J. Beatty has not had the time to