He had come to the division and recommended its closer concentration.
But the young Ohio troops were not afraid.

They said that if they were attacked they would hold their ground long enough for the rest of the Northern army to beat the Southern, and McCook himself was confident.
Meanwhile, Bragg, after delaying, had suddenly decided to make the attack himself, and throughout the day he had been gathering his whole army for the spring.

All his generals, Hardee, Breckinridge, Polk, Cleburne and the rest were in position and the cavalry was led by Wheeler, a youthful rough rider, destined to become famous as Fighting Joe Wheeler.
Each general was ready to attack in the morning, but neither knew the willingness of the other.

Yet everybody was aware that a great battle was soon to come.

They had felt it in both armies, and for two or three days the firing of the skirmishers had been almost continuous.