South of the pike, Archer's men were expecting an easy fight against dismounted cavalrymen and were astonished to recognize the black Hardee hats worn by the men facing them through the woods: the famous Iron Brigade, formed from regiments in the Western states of Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, had a reputation as fierce, tenacious fighters.
Syd for landevejen regnede Archers mænd med en let kamp mod afsiddede kavalerister og blev forbløffede, da de så de sorte Hardee hatte, som blev båret af mændene overfor dem i skovene, den berømte Iron Brigade, der bestod af regimenter fra de vestlige stater Indiana, Michigan og Wisconsin, og havde ry for at være hårde og seje kæmpere.