At Bristoe, three Louisiana regiments, many recruited from the wharves of New Orleans and known among their comrades as “Tigers” for their hard fighting, made a stand in this creek bed under Col. Henry Forno. After skirmishing with Federal forces along Kettle Run, 1 1/2 miles to the southwest along the railroad, Forno withdrew the 6th and 8th Louisiana regiments to this area and sent the rest of his brigade to the high ground near Brentsville Road, 1/4 mile away. When the first Federal regiment arrived, the Louisianans opened a devastating fire, then maintained heavy fire as more Federal regiments entered the field in front of them. Forno brought up the 5th Louisiana Infantry to strengthen the line, but by 4:30 p.m., with ammunition running low and Federal forces growing on their front and flanks, he pulled his men back toward Bristoe Station, 1/4 mile away. The Louisianans left 83 dead and wounded here as they withdrew. A Confederate staff officer recalled that Forno had his men lying down in the pines, kept silent until the Federals were within 50 or 60 yards, then fired and charged, killing and wounding many and sending the rest running like turkeys.