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

---

[166] to ascend the western side of Horseshoe Ridge, so as to open an oblique fire on the rear of Brannan's right. All the brigades, even that of Anderson, will follow in succession this movement. It is about a quarter-past three o'clock. Deas rapidly gains ground; Manigault holds his own, and, driving back the Union detachments posted on the road, quickly enters into the gorge. In one moment more Brannan's right will be flanked, while Johnson will attack Horseshoe Ridge in front. Their success seems to be certain, and Longstreet, believing that the time has come to strike a decisive blow, orders Buckner to move Preston's division, nearly five thousand strong, on the slopes which separate Snodgrass' farm from Dyer's. If this onset succeed, the Federal right will be annihilated.

But at the instant when the Confederates believe the victory to be theirs they perceive numerous adversaries confronting them. Granger, who has arrived in the rear of Horseshoe Hill, seeing that the enemy is already master of the gorge, immediately orders Steedman to advance to dislodge him. Steedman, leading his two brigades, springs against Hindman. His troops, recently recruited, gallantly receive the baptism of fire, and, closing his ranks as fast as they thin out, he penetrates into the defile. Men wrestle in single combat, The soldiers, emulating the example set by their leaders, engage in a rivalry of ardor and courage. Steedman, holding aloft a flag in his hand, rallies such of his men as are ready to give way and brings them back into the thickest of the fight. Whitaker is wounded in front of his brigade. Finally, after the lapse of twenty minutes, the Unionists have the advantage, and Granger's artillery, which is promptly established in the gorge, riddles the Confederates. Twice does Hindman bring his soldiers to the assault on the position which had been so unexpectedly taken by his adversaries. Twice does he come up within pistolshot of the artillery which makes wide breaches in his ranks. Toward a quarter-past four o'clock he is repulsed, and he reforms, not without difficulty, his troops in the rear of Villetoe.

The four brigades on his right have not been more fortunate. Granger has not brought merely an important reinforcement of fresh troops; he has secured to all the combatants already collected on Horseshoe Ridge the means of continuing the battle.