Alerted by the rifle fire, the Union forces commenced an attack; the Thompsons' brigade held its position while the 2nd Division flanked and routed the enemy force. A burial detail sent to inter the dead of the small reconnaissance party found James Thompson still alive.
Upon hearing the gunfire, Union troops began their assault; the Thompsons' brigade maintained its position as the 2nd Division moved around and routed the enemy force. A group dispatched for burial found James Thompson still alive among the dead from a small scouting mission.