When the pickets gave the alarm of our approach, the Rebel commander ordered his forces to "turn out." An Arkansas colonel was in bed when the order reached him, and lazily asked, "Is that official ?" Before the bearer of the order could answer, our shell tore through the colonel's tent, and exploded a few yards beyond it.

The officer waited for no explanation, but ejaculated, "That's official, anyhow," as he sprang out of his blankets, and arrayed himself in fighting costume.
Before the Rebels could respond to our morning salutation, we heard the booming of Sigel's cannon on the left.

Colonel Sigel reached the spot assigned him some minutes before we were able to open fire from our position.

It had been stipulated that he should wait for the sound of our guns before making his attack.

His officers said they waited nearly fifteen minutes for our opening shot.