Joseph T. Derry , A. M. , Author of School History of the United States; Story of the Confederate War, etc., Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 6, Georgia
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

[275] and most of the prisoners were captured by the First Arkansas. The fight had been so close that many of Cleburne's men used pistols and rocks, finding the latter missiles effective in making prisoners. Williamson concluded he could not carry the hill without reinforcements, and in the lull Polk rapidly threw up slight intrenchments.

It was Creighton's brigade of Geary's division that charged the hill as mentioned by Osterhaus, and the Seventh Ohio, which sustained a flank attack by the Second Tennessee, lost 12 out of 13 officers and nearly half its men disabled. General Creighton was mortally wounded, and Colonel Crane, of Ohio, was killed. Two regiments of the brigade held an advanced position under shelter, but could not advance ‘without almost total annihilation.’ Geary's other brigades, Cobham's and Ireland's, also came up about this time. The advance brigade of Cruft's division entered the town, but did not participate in the fight.

During the main attack on the north the Thirteenth Illinois took possession of some houses and barns from which they annoyed the Confederates in the gorge. Cleburne's skirmishers held them in check, and finally Osterhaus made a charge which was badly .repulsed by the infantry and Goldthwaite's battery, the Federals leaving killed and wounded and a stand of colors between the lines. The battery then shelled the houses with good effect. Both Geary and Osterhaus tell of a charge made by the Confederates which is not mentioned by Cleburne. Osterhaus said that ‘seeing their artillery threatened, and with it the key to their position, the enemy rallied a strong force and dashed from the gorge and down the hill with great energy.’ Geary relates, that Osterhaus was sorely pressed, and he sent in Cobham's and Ireland's brigades; Cobham crossed the railroad under severe fire, and lay down in position; Ireland advanced under a murderous fire of grape, canister and musketry,