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[175] However, shortly thereafter the Unionists lose a part of their positions almost without firing a gun. Steedman, having exhausted his ammunition, at six o'clock abandons the Villetoe pass and retires upon the second crest of Horseshoe Hill, which closes this pass to the northward. Hindman follows Steedman, takes possession of the ground thus left vacant, and again menaces the right flank of Brannan, who, in order to cover it, places Van Derveer's brigade en potence. If the assailants were not so fatigued nor the day so far spent, this movement might be fatal to the Unionists; but the night advances and the Confederates are coming up slowly. Besides, Thomas has just issued to Granger, Brannan, and Wood the order to retreat on McFarland's Gap. This movement, which was begun at sunset, is carried on without being seriously disturbed by the enemy. Hazen follows Wood, but the troops belonging to other corps which have joined one another to form a new line among themselves are not so fortunate. In fact, Trigg and Kelly have combined to form a new attack on these troops: the former will take them on the right flank, the latter attack them in front. The retreat of the entire Union line favors this attack. One of the regiments of Sirwell's brigade, armed with repeating rifles, which has held out against the assailants with a desperate energy, finds itself surrounded and almost every man is captured; another regiment meets the same fate. The rest scatter. The Confederates take many prisoners, but they do not think of pursuing, any more than they did on their right. Hindman, Johnson, and Preston confine themselves to the occupation of the ground which they had vainly assailed during the day. At their right Robertson's brigade takes on the first line the place of Kershaw's brigade. Night comes, the battle is over. The Federal columns, following the Dry Valley road and the neighboring roads which through the thick forest lead to McFarland's Gap, reach the defile that the right has already crossed and the approaches to which are protected by Palmer. The moonlight favors their march. Thomas goes before them to organize the defence of Rossville, where are found Crittenden and McCook, whom Rosecrans has sent back to their commands. The ranks of the latter are thinned out, while the fugitives who fill the Chattanooga Creek Valley are

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