 Meanwhile, small Confederate brigades encountered Gilbert's force of 20,000 men to the west and Crittenden's force, also 20,000 strong, to the south.Only then did Bragg realize that he was facing Buell's main force, and that he was vastly outnumbered.As night approached and halted the battle, Bragg conferred with his officers and decided to retreat to Harrodsburg to meet Smith.