into these were
placed the stores found on the island, and the captured firearms. In the
meanwhile, Captains Ripley and Knox were sent after the retreating
Confederate sharpshooters. But the pursuit was in vain, the shooters
having removed themselves to the opposite shore of the Chickamauga.

It must be confessed that the engagement, although lasting less than an
hour, had been a most tiring one, and many of the cavalrymen would have
been for taking a rest had it been allowed them. But this was a "day of
days" in which history is made with marvellous rapidity, and hardly were
the prisoners and the captured weapons and stores disposed of, than
Colonel Lyon received orders to take his first and second battalion up
to a ford two miles above the present battle-ground. The Confederate
cavalry, it was feared, would make a dash across the creek to Crawfish
Springs, and the Riverlawns were sent to support McCook's command, which
had been weakened by the loss of both Davis's and Johnson's divisions,
both having already gone to the support of Thomas. With McCook at this
time was Negley's division of the Fourteenth corps. The field hospital
had been established in the vicinity of Crawfish Springs, and it was
felt that the enemy must not be permitted to come over at this point.

Crawfish Springs was a most beautiful spot, a typical scene for a
landscape painter. The spring was really the outlet for a subterranean
river, and flowed forth between beautiful hills covered with trees and
flowering bushes. It was on the estate of a widow, Mrs. Gordon, whose
fine brick mansion stood not far away. In the vicinity of the spring was
the house of Lowry, Second Chief of the Cherokees, and it was here that
the Army of the Cumberland had, for the time being, established its
hospital.

The Confederates had tried early in the morning to cross Chickamauga
Creek, opposite Lee and Gordon's Mill, but had been repulsed. The Union
cavalry and infantry were now stretched along the bank of the stream,
while the enemy was opposite, and each was watching the other as a cat
watches a mouse.

"Colonel Lyon, you will take up a position in the field next to this,"
said General McCook, when the commander of the Riverlawns reported with
his two battalions. "I am sorry you have but eight companies with you.
How soon do you expect the remainder?"

"They will follow me as soon as they can dispose of some prisoners we
succeeded in taking."

"Then you have alre