Owing to the distance General Shelby had to travel, his
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holding his own brigade in reserve, and charged the train and cavalry escort, bringing the former to a standstill and routing the latter, captured two pieces of the famous Battery E, Second Missouri artillery.
The resistance to Cabell's line grew feebler.
But a movement by the enemy caused the commanding general to withdraw, from Cabell's center, Harrell's battalion and march it by the right flank to the support of Hughey's battery, which was menaced.
The enemy having been driven back from this battery, General Fagan in person ordered the same battalion of 400 men on foot, 100 men holding horses back, to deploy as skirmishers and advance (without reserves) to guard against cavalry on the right.
The command, advancing at double-quick, arrived at a sutler's train of 100 wagons deserted in the woods, passed through it and found no cavalry, but came upon a large body of Federal infantry moving by the left flank, which immediately held up white flags in token of surrender.
There were over 1,000 of them, who, having thrown down their arms, were placed under guard and reported to the general commanding.
A few of Shelby's men came up in their rear.
The capture was ascribed to General Shelby, who did not then know of their existence.
Doubtless the appearance of his division and his attack in front, and Cabell's on the flank, caused this body to attempt to escape, and indirectly brought about their surrender.
The entire Federal force, except the cavalry which had fled, surrendered, infantry, artillery and train, besides the large sutler's train.
Two hundred of the enemy were killed and wounded.
The infantry, Second brigade of Salomon's division, surrendered with all their arms, four pieces of artillery, four stands of colors and the entire train of 300 wagons, a large number of ambulances, and 150 ‘contrabands.’
In his official report, General Fagan said:
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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