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

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[334] precaution to send out reconnoitring-parties and to guard the approaches to their camps. However, measures for defence are promptly taken. Wolford's division, on the first line, rests against the houses of the village and checks the impetus of the assailants. These, exposed to its fire in a plain without shelter, experience severe losses. Longstreet waits in vain for his cavalry to turn the Federal positions. Martin, delayed in his progress, has not yet crossed the Holston; Jones, on the contrary, arrived too soon at Bean's Station Gap, captured some of the enemy's wagons, and retired, instead of waiting for the principal column. Shackelford, who has had time to recover from his surprise, forms his troops across the little valley of which Bean's Station occupies the centre: his left covers the defile. Meanwhile, the rest of the Southern infantry arrive in line. A fresh attack, sustained by a vigorous cannonade, causes the Federal right to give way, while Kershaw, at the head of McLaws' division, throws the left back into the mountain. Night comes to help the Unionists. The defenders of the village, who have held out until the last, avail themselves of the occasion to fall back in turn: they recover their horses and join the rest of the troops. The left wing escapes from Kershaw by following the crest of the mountain, and Shackelford, gathering his forces, establishes himself in a strong position somewhat in advance of Rutledge. The Union losses amount to about two hundred men; those of Longstreet, to two hundred and ninety. He cannot follow up the enemy closely, for he is without news from his cavalry and his infantry needs rest. However, on the morning of the 15th, while McLaws sends Humphreys' brigade into the mountain, Jenkins sets out and arrives promptly enough in front of the Federals' new positions. But these are on their guard and have covered their front with earthworks. Parke, who on the day before was between Blain's Cross-roads and Rutledge, has sent some reinforcements to Shackelford, and detached on the right Ferrero to watch Kelley's Ford. The latter arrives in time to prevent Martin from crossing the Holston and flanking the Union troops. Jenkins, having two brigades only, in vain asks McLaws to support him. Law does not come. Johnson, who remained at Bean's Station, is too distant. The day passes thus without the Confederates deciding to