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

General Gregg, misled by the information received from General Pemberton, made his dispositions to capture a brigade of the enemy; but instead of a brigade, encountered Logan's division. He was attacked by three brigades commanded by Brig.-Gens. John E. Smith, E. S. Dennis and John D. Stevenson, with three batteries, and a considerable force of cavalry. Besides all these, General Crocker's Seventh division was hurried into position to support Logan, and finally the whole Seventh army corps, 23,749 strong, commanded by Maj.-Gen. John B. McPherson, was disposed for battle. This great array was met by General Gregg with an aggregate present of 2,500 officers and men, including Bledsoe's Missouri battery of three guns, one of which burst during the action.

General McPherson reported that after ‘a sharp and severe contest of three hours duration’ the Confederates were driven back. General Logan referred to the battle as a ‘terrible conflict’ that ‘raged with great fury for at least two hours.’ The marvel is that Gregg, fighting almost ten times his number of veteran troops, under the ablest leadership in the Federal army, could have held his position for thirty minutes. He was absolutely isolated, no reinforcements expected; but he maintained himself for three hours against great odds. The discipline of his troops was almost perfect, their courage was equal to the great trial to which they were subjected, their regimental commanders were officers of great intelligence and gallantry, and Gregg's generalship was inimitable. No wonder that McPherson reported that he had fought 6,000 troops. Lieutenant-Colonel Davis, commanding the Twenty-third Indiana, declared that he was attacked upon his right and front by the enemy in column, consisting of four lines, and added that the Confederates ‘opened fire from each line in succession’ and continued to advance on him ‘until they were within bayonet reach. Not having time to fix our ’