Walter Q. Gresham

Just to the north, Claiborne's infantry also suffered under the early morning Federal artillery bombardment, but then held firm against the Yankee attack that hit their lines.

That attack was made by the Federals of Walter Gresham's division, which, after Gresham was shot in the leg on the 20th, was led here by Brigadier General Giles Smith, and as they advanced against Claiborne's lines, they found it hard going.

Smith would write in his report that his men met, quote, a murderous fire of musketry.

The July heat and humidity was all but unbearable, and the day seemed almost endless.

McPherson's 17th Corps, commanded by Major General Francis Blair Jr., ran into determined resistance on the Union left, south of the railroad, from that small force of dismounted Confederate horsemen who occupied a prominent knoll which had been cleared of timber and so was known to the local folks as Bald Hill.

Blair told Brigadier General Walter Gresham there was nothing in front of Gresham's division but scattered enemy cavalry, and instructed him to push forward swiftly.

Gresham did so, and promptly got himself shot in the leg for his trouble.

The determined rebel resistance, the oppressive heat and humidity, and Gresham's wounding all sapped any desire his men had to press forward, and the division's advance ground to a halt.