James D. Porter, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 7.1, Tennessee
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

[157] move until further orders from him, as he desired Bate and Stewart, having a longer distance to march, to move in advance of us.

After the expiration of half an hour or more, at a signal from yourself, Cleburne and myself were directed to commence our movement. We advanced our line, attacking simultaneously the enemy's front line of works (being a lunette some 400 or 500 yards in advance of the main works). We routed and drove that line back upon the enemy's main line with but slight loss to ourselves and without impeding the advance of our line. General Cleburne and myself met several times upon the turnpike road and conferred and acted in harmony in the movement. When we assaulted the main line, we carried the works in many places. General Gordon, commanding the right brigade of my front line, stormed and carried the enemy's works at the turnpike road and advanced a considerable distance within the works, when he and a part of his command were captured. The enemy rapidly reinforced his center from his flanks, and the slaughter in our ranks was frightful, considering the very short time in which we were engaged. The loss was so heavy to my front line that I immediately brought forward the supporting brigades (Strahl's and Carter's), and we held the works in a hand-to-hand fight, with varying fortune, until night closed upon the bloody conflict. The engagement lasted but little more than one hour, during which time the fire of the enemy's infantry was terrific. Generals Gist and Strahl were killed on the field, with nearly all of their staff officers. General Carter received a mortal wound from which he died in a few hours. When I was shot from my horse near nightfall, I had only one staff officer and two couriers on duty.

General Carter, whose command was on my extreme left, reported to me once through a member of his staff, and again in person, that there were no supports on his left and that flank was being threatened, and on personal inspection I found that there were no troops on my left at sunset. I regret very much that the loss of my papers will not allow me to give you in detail the list of casualties and to mention the conduct of very many officers and men conspicuous for their gallantry during the engagement. It is just to say, however, that the entire command did its full duty. The enemy were intrenched