9 o'clock
This tavern was in a low place , densely surrounded with trees and underbrush . Here Silent placed his headquarters in the rear of Warner 's Corps . The woods and chaparral were so dense in all directions that neither army could distinguish the line of the other . `` By 9 o'clock an occasional shot could be heard , and then the rattle of musketry , as though a company or so had discharged their pieces . Presently a few skirmishers would come back to the main line , asserting that the enemy were in force in our front . Then orders would be given to advance the skirmish-line and feel for the enemy . `` About 10 o'clock a shot from the artillery of the enemy announced the fact that he was posting for resistance .