Dick knew despite the hideous turmoil that Thomas was the chief target of the Southern army.

He divined that the fortunes of the Union were swinging in the balance there among those Tennessee hills and valleys.

If Thomas were shattered the turn of Grant farther south would come next.

Vicksburg would have been won in vain and the Union would be broken in the West.
Order and cohesion were lost among many of the regiments, but the men stood firm.

The superb, democratic soldier fought for himself and he, too, understood the crisis.