Some of the regiments had received their arms less than two weeks before.

The outposts were not sufficiently far from camp to allow much time for getting under arms after the first encounter.

A portion of this division was attacked before it could form, but its commander, General Prentiss, promptly rallied his men, and made a vigorous fight.

He succeeded, for a time, in staying the progress of the enemy, but the odds against him were too great.

When his division was surrounded and fighting was no longer of use, he surrendered his command.