On the morning of December 7, 1862, General F.J. Herron's army advanced across these fields to attack the Confederate position on the ridge. Because the ford of the Illinois River was under artillery fire, Herron crossed northwest of the ford, almost directly north of this spot. His army consisted of troops from Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Arkansas. Herron's divisions bore the brunt of the battle until 2 P.M., when Blunt's army came to his aid. Blunt's army entered the battle one mile west of this spot.