Colonel Showers, who had succeeded Hallifax in the command of the 1st Brigade,[6] moved off to the right of the road, and Colonel Graves, who had taken Jones's place with the 2nd Brigade,[7] to the left.

The heavy guns remained on the road with a battery of Field Artillery on either flank.

Just as day broke our guns advanced, but before they were in position the fight began by a cannonade from the rebel Artillery, which caused us severe loss.

To this destructive fire no adequate reply could be made; our guns were too few and of too small calibre.

To add to our difficulties, the Native bullock-drivers of our heavy guns went off with their cattle, and one of the waggons blew up.