The consultation was brought to a close by the advance of a heavy column of infantry from towards the hill where Sigel’s battery had been heard at the beginning of the struggle. These troops carried flags which, drooping about the staffs, much resembled the stars and stripes, and Sturgis and Schofield say the troops had the appearance of Sigel’s. A staff officer in front of where the consultation was going on rode back and called out delightedly “_Yonder comes Sigel! Yonder comes Sigel!_” and the officers departed, each to his command to arrange for the expected change in the programme. On came the moving mass in Sturgis’ front, the soldiers cool and steady as grenadiers. Down the hill across the hollow in front they swept and took position along the foot of the ridge on which the Federals were posted. And now, “they are rebels!” was heard from the more advanced of the Kansans and Iowans. Suddenly a battery (Guibor’s) which had followed the line and had reached the hill in front of “Bloody Hill,” wheeled about, unlimbered and the command “_Fire!_” rang out and the guns belched forth shrapnel and canister before the trail pieces had hardly touched the ground. The infantry at the foot of the hill, now began firing and slowly ascending the hill, and at once commenced the fiercest and most bloody struggle of all that bloody day. Lieut. Dubois’ battery, on the Federal left supported by Osterhaus’ two companies and the rallied fragments of the Missouri 1st, opened on the new battery (Guibor’s) and soon checked it. Totten’s battery, still in the Federal center, supported by the Iowans and regulars, seemed to be the main point of the Confederate attack. The Missourians frequently came up within twenty feet of the muzzles of Totten’s guns and received their charges of canister full in their faces, and the two clouds of battle smoke mingled until they seemed as one. For the first time during the day the Federal line never wavered and the Confederate line never flinched. At one time Capt. Steele’s battalion, which was some yards in front, together with the left flanks, was in danger of being overwhelmed and captured, the contending lines standing so close that the muzzles of their guns almost touched. Capt. Granger, of Sturgis’ staff, ran to the rear and brought up the supports of Dubois’ battery, consisting of Osterhaus’ battalion, detachment, of the 1st Missouri, 1st Kansas, and two companies of the 1st Iowa, in quick time, and took position on the left flank, and poured in a heavy volley upon the Confederates, which was so murderous and destructive that that portion of the line gave way. Capts. Patrick E. Burke and Madison Miller, and Adjutant Hiscock, of the 1st Missouri, were especially mentioned for gallantry in this assault.