Major-General Stanley on the Spring Hill situation

Major-General Stanley (right), commanding the Fourth Federal corps, in his official report stated that:

“In view of the strong position we held, nothing appeared so improbable as that they would assault. I felt so confident in this belief that I did not leave General Schofield’s headquarters until the firing commenced.”

Major-General Cox, (bottom right) commanding the Twenty-third corps, and in active command of the Federal line of battle, undertakes to account for the attack made by General Hood thus:

“His exasperation at what he regarded as a hair’s breadth escape on our part from the toils in which he thought he had encompassed us at Spring Hill had probably clouded his judgment. He blamed some of his subordinates for the hesitation which he seems himself to have been responsible for, and now, in an excitement which led him astray, he determined to risk everything upon a desperate assault.”

The same eminent author, referring to the assault made by Cleburne and Brown on the Federal center, says:

“They were seen coming in splendid array. The sight was one to send a thrill through the heart, and those who saw it have never forgotten its martial magnificence.”

Source: Confederate Military History Volume 8:
Tennessee Chapter X

Also read:

• Wikipedia article on Jacob D. Cox