Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 4.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

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[105] have some trouble in aligning their ranks. At last they re-form behind the sawmill, thanks to the efforts of their officers, and begin on foot a vigorous struggle with their assailants. Croxton soon realizes that he has to contend against powerful opposition: he gains no more ground, his ammunition gives out, his ranks become thin. But soon reinforcements from both sides flock to increase the importance of the battle. Forrest has called for the coopera-tion of Wilson's infantry, which Bragg has placed at his disposal, and he sends word to Polk to despatch to him Armstrong, who, with the second division of his cavalry corps, has remained on the east side of the Chickamauga. Thomas, on his side, recalls toward the sawmill all the forces he had deployed to the right and left. Van Derveer and Connell, not having met the enemy, and having heard the sound of the battle behind their right, immediately move in that direction. They soon encounter the extremity of Forrest's line, and would have easily broken it if he had not massed all his troops against them, which the arrival of Wilson enabled Forrest to do. Wilson, hastening to the assistance of Forrest's left, bore upon a hill to the south-west of the road to Alexander's Bridge; then, taking the place of the Southern cavalry, he caused Croxton's tired soldiers to retire. But Baird, having given support on the left, brings to the right of Croxton's men King's regular brigade, which soon renews the fight. Meantime, Forrest, leaving the command to Pegram, has gone to bring the delayed reinforcements. He finds Ector's brigade, which forms the rearguard in the reserve, and takes the responsibility of sending it to the assistance of the cavalry. Dibrell, with one of Armstrong's two brigades, arrives on the battlefield at the same time with Ector. These opportune arrivals restore the advantage to the Confederates, who withstand the combined assaults by Brannan's three brigades. This is a precarious advantage, however, for Brannan moves forward his reserves, and, supported by King, presses the enemy on all sides. The Southern cavalry, stimulated by the sight of the infantry, who have often heaped upon the cavalry their raillery, vie with them in deeds of courage and daring; but at last they must yield. Forrest hurls betimes upon the victorious Federals two regiments, the Twelfth and the Sixteenth Tennessee, which have remained mounted. This vigorous