On these hills could be seen fresh-made parapets, and the movements of men, against whom I directed the artillery to fire at long range.
The stout resistance made by the enemy along our whole front of a couple of miles indicated a purpose to fight at Cassville; and, as the night was closing in, General Thomas and I were together, along with our skirmish-lines near the seminary, on the edge of the town, where musket-bullets from the enemy were cutting the leaves of the trees pretty thickly about us.

Either Thomas or I remarked that that was not the place for the two senior officers of a great army, and we personally went back to the battery, where we passed the night on the ground.

During the night I had reports from McPherson, Hooker, and Schofield.

The former was about five miles to my right rear, near the "nitre-caves;" Schofield was about six miles north, and Hooker between us, within two miles.

All were ordered to close down on Cassville at daylight, and to attack the enemy wherever found.