End of a Long, Hard Day

End of a Long, Hard Day. Confederate Effort Fails. Before sunset on the first day, the Confederates made a final attack on the Union line. The extreme left end of the Union's final defensive position, known since as Grant's Last Line, was located here. Employing two gunboats in the river, two artillery batteries deployed here, and nine more artillery batteries massed along the line for roughly one-half mile further west, the Federals bombarded the deep ravine of Dill Branch in front of you. The opposing Confederate infantry, many without ammunition and armed only with bayonets, slid into the ravine from the south and struggled across the valley in a futile attempt to storm its steep northern slope. Hammered by musketry and artillery fire, they could only hit the ground and seek cover. At nightfall, the survivors quietly retired from the ravine and proceeded south to seek refuge in the captured Union camps., (caption) , . 1 Some of Confederates attempt to storm Grant's Last Line and are repulsed, while most retire to captured Federal camps. , . 2 Part of Buell's lead division marches onto the field to assist in repulsing the final Confederate attack of the day. Overnight, Buell will reinforce Grant with nearly three full divisions, while Lew Wallace reinforces Grant's right.