Engaging the enemy force, the soldiers reported a half-hour later that at least three hundred Chinese troops were in the hills just north of Unsan.

The 12th Regiment, the second division unit in the column, turned west when it arrived at Unsan, and also ran into Chinese forces just beyond the town.

"[8] During the afternoon of November 1, the CCF's attack north of Unsan gained strength against the 15th Regiment and gradually extended to the right flank of the U.S. 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry.

At nightfall the 1st Battalion controlled the northern approaches to the Samtan River, except for portions of the 15th Regiment's zone on the east side.

The battalion's position on the left was weak; there were not enough soldiers to extend the defensive line to the main ridge leading into Unsan.