Joseph T. Derry , A. M. , Author of School History of the United States; Story of the Confederate War, etc., Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 6, Georgia
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

Hardee's troops gained the rear and flank of McPherson unobserved, and were marching northward and westward against the enemy when the divisions of Bate and Walker encountered Sweeny's division and a brigade of Fuller's division of Dodge's corps, faced directly to meet them. Fuller not only delivered a disconcerting fire, but made a headlong charge, which resulted in the capture of a considerable number of the Sixty-sixth Georgia, including the colonel and adjutant. But though momentarily checked by this unexpected line of battle, the Confederates rallied and advanced again in repeated assaults upon the enemy's lines.

In one of these attacks, when the Confederate line was broken by an enfilading fire, Maj.-Gen. W. H. T. Walker rode out from the woods, and swinging his hat, cheered his men forward, but in the next moment he was shot from his horse. Here the slaughter was fearful, as many as thirteen of Walker's men being found dead in one corner of a rail fence behind which they formed. Soon after the death of Walker, Major-General McPherson, the equal of Walker in courage, rode toward Blair's southernmost division, and was soon unexpectedly confronted by the Confederate line. Being called on to surrender, he turned away, and fell dead under the volley that immediately followed. The Confederates renewed the fight from that direction, and though an Illinois regiment was able to rescue McPherson's body, it was soon driven pellmell from the woods. A Federal battery coming through the woods to the assistance of Fuller was captured near the place where McPherson fell. Fuller's men, though fiercely attacked, lay down behind a ridge, and aided by artillery from their rear, managed to hold their ground until withdrawn at night. Sweeny's division that day lost 208, and Fuller's 653, killed, wounded and missing.