As the morning of September 20, 1863 began, Confederate forces stood defiant amidst the hard won ground of the previous day's fighting. Longstreet's men now supported Bragg's fledgling forces and Lt. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest stood prepared to deliver a crushing blow to Rosecrans forces.
At 10:15 am Bragg ordered a full frontal assault on the Union lines. As the frontal attack gained momentum Rosecrans made a fateful decision. At about 11 a.m., Rosecrans ordered General T.J. Wood to replace Brig. Gen. Brannan's division. In the confusion Brannan had not followed the order because the order w...