McCook, anticipating the next day would begin with a major attack by Crittenden, planted numerous campfires in his area, hoping to deceive the Confederates as to his strength on that flank, and to disguise the fact that his flank was not anchored on an obstacle (the nearby Overall Creek).
McCook, som forventede at næste dag ville begynde med et større angreb fra Crittenden plantede en række lejrbål i hans område, i håb om at vildlede de konfødererede om hans styrke på denne flanke og dække over det faktum at hans flanke ikke var forankret i en forhindring (den nærliggende Overall Creek).