Col. J. Stoddard Johnston, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 9.1, Kentucky
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

[176] corps and Polk's corps were still on the east side of the Chickamauga. While General Bragg was making his alignment on the morning of the 19th his right came in contact with part of the Federal forces under General Thomas, and a heavy engagement ensued in the thick woods, which prevented either side from determining well what was in its front. In the afternoon, General Preston's division was for a time hotly engaged, but repulsed the attack and held its position with the loss of 150 men killed and wounded. The enemy had also suffered on our right, but the army not being united, further advance was not made.

At night both armies prepared for the great battle of the next day. General Breckinridge crossed the river and at daylight was placed on the extreme right, his left resting on the right of Cleburne's division. General Polk was in command of the right wing, consisting of his own and Hill's corps; and General Longstreet of the left, composed of his own and Buckner's corps. During the night, General Thomas, who had been severely pressed the day before, had felled timber and made a breastwork in the thick forest of small trees parallel to our line, so located as not to be discernible until closely approached. These works covered Breckinridge's left and Cleburne's right. The break of day found the two armies in lines of nearly equal length, the Federals near and a little in front of the main Chattanooga road, McCook's corps on the right, his right resting on Crawfish Springs, Crittenden's in center, and Thomas' on the left, and the Confederates a few hundred yards east of them.

It had been Bragg's intention to attack early in the morning, but there was delay in perfecting his dispositions on the right in support of Cleburne, and to his left, and it was not until half-past 9 that the advance was made. The thick woods and generally level nature of the ground prevented the use of much artillery, and until positions were changed later in the day, but little was used.