The bloodiest two days in American history begins with the Union Army burning Reed's Bridge over Chickamauga Creek, however, a significant amount of the Rebel Army was already across the bridge, heading southwest towards Lee and Gordon Mill. The first day was a back and forth affair with General George Thomas [US] and General Leonidas Polk [CS] bearing the brunt of the fighting. A late afternoon breakthrough by the Confederates at the Brotherton Cabin could not be maintained. At the end of the day the Union line was roughly along a low ridge near the LaFayette-Chattanooga Road Chickamauga - Day 2