Vast masses of fugitives were fleeing toward Chattanooga.

Rosecrans himself withdrew, and, now wholly in despair, telegraphed at four o'clock in the afternoon to Washington: "My army has been whipped and routed." But Thomas was neither routed nor whipped.

Many of the brave generals elsewhere refused to flee with the troops, but gathering as many soldiers as possible joined Thomas.

Among them was young Sheridan, destined to so great a fame, who brought almost all his own division and stood beside the Rock of Chickamauga, refusing to yield any further to the terrible pressure.
The line of Thomas' army was now almost a semicircle.

Polk was leading violent attacks upon his left and center.