A night attack by Iowa and Wisconsin soldiers of Gen. E. A. Carr's division on Gen. M. E. Green's Confederates at this point was repulsed. At daybreak May 1, the Federals readied a new thrust. Gen. J. A. McClernand sent Gen. P. J. Osterhaus up the plantation road to the north to engage Gen. E. D. Tracy's Alabama brigade covering the 1 Bruinsburg road, while Carr's soldiers assailed Green's greyclads at Magnolia Church. Covered by the fire of the Union guns near the Shaffer house, Carr's infantry stormed forward. As they advanced to the right and left of this road, they had to beat their way through under-brush-choked hollows. A counterstroke by the 23d Alabama and the 6th Mississippi checked the Federals. The arrival of Gen. A. P. Hovey's division from Bruinsburg, enabled McClernand to prepare another blow. Spearheaded by the 34th Indiana, the Federals drove ahead. Outnumbered but not outfought, Green's Confederates were driven back, leaving 2 guns, 200 prisoners and a stand of colors in the Yankees' hands. By 10:30 A.M., the Federals held Magnolia Church ridge.
