Longstreet then maneuvred to turn the Federal left. As there was some high ground on that hand, commanding Burnside’s position, which he saw his enemy was endeavoring to occupy, and he could not, for lack of men, extend his own line to prevent the threatened movement, he moved his troops and established a new line upon a ridge nearly three-fourths of a mile to the rear. This was done under a heavy artillery fire from his enemy, but with no disorder. It was about 4 P. M. Quickly a fierce attack was made upon the new line, not in front, but flank and rear, at the extreme left. That was handsomely repulsed. His enemy went back in disorder, and did not renew the fight. The United States troops were much elated by their success against odds, Burnside having had only about five thousand men in the battle, and his adversary from two to three times that number. He states in his official report: “Our loss in killed, wounded and missing was about three hundred, and that of the enemy must have been very severe, as he was the attacking force.”[36] The “Rebellion Record” extols the military maneuvres of both armies for skill and beauty--as showing admirable discipline. Although comparatively an insignificant fight, “it certainly will rank among those contests in which real generalship was displayed. Every motion, every evolution, was made with the precision and regularity of the precision on a chess-board.” The result was decisive. Burnside’s line of retreat was saved, and he was given the few precious hours that were absolutely necessary to further fortify, and so, to hold Knoxville. To that town, fifteen miles distant from Campbell’s Station, the United States troops moved off silently, as soon as night fell. During the night before at Lenoir’s, following upon a day of weariness and anxiety, neither officers nor men had slept. No one could speak to his fellow, and in the thick darkness through the long, long night, they lay on their arms waiting for the morning, which ushered in a day of hard fighting. When that was ended, their soldierly patience and power of physical endurance were subjected to the additional test of marching over very muddy roads for another dark night. Some of them fell asleep from utter weariness as they walked, but without losing their places in the ranks. About four o’clock on the morning of Monday, November 17th, they reached their destination. In the night, General Burnside arrived at his headquarters.