He had been at the center of his army, and in typical style was quite close to the action, but when the Confederate attack succeeded, he was nearly captured. Telling his staff to flee to save their lives, Rosecrans spurred his horse to the rear. He could have remained there and continued to give directions, but something overcame him (today, we might call it shell shock or posttraumatic stress disorder). Spurring his horse, Rosecrans galloped all the way to Chattanooga, and when he arrived there, he sat on a bench with his head in his hands. He could do no more.