Benham's line advanced through dense and tangled woods, ignorant of the enemy's position till it was checked by the fire from his breastworks.

It was too late for a proper reconnoissance, and Rosecrans could only hasten the advance and deployment of the other brigades under Colonels McCook and Scammon.

[Footnote: For organization of Rosecrans's forces, see Id., vol.li.pt.

i.

p.
471.] Benham had sent a howitzer battery and two rifled cannon with his head of column at the left, and these soon got a position from which, in fact, they enfiladed part of Floyd's line, though it was impossible to see much of the situation.