and advanced through the woods, driving the enemy into a line of breastworks with abatis and slashing, before which Parke had halted his corps. About 9.30 A. M., General Warren received word from General Meade that it was important that a portion of his command should cross Hatcher's Run and communicate with General Hancock as soon as possible. Ordering Ayres and Crawford to mass their divisions near to the front, General Warren sent Major Roebling with his escort to reconnoitre to his left for the end of the enemy's line, and Captain Gentry, of his staff, to communicate with Hancock, while Warren in person made a reconnaissance of his front to ascertain the practicability of forcing the Confederate position. On his return, about 10.30 A.M., he found Generals Grant and Meade at his headquarters. Major Roebling, who returned about the same time, reported Griffin's skirmish line as extending to Hatcher's Run on the left. Captain Gentry, returning, reported the rear of Hancock's corps as having moved up towards the Plank road past Armstrong's Mill. Warren was then directed to send a division across Hatcher's Run, place its right flank on the run, and then move up, supporting Hancock, and upon arriving at the enemy's right of the line in front of Griffin, to attack it in flank. Warren ordered the most convenient division at the time of receiving his instructions, which was Crawford's. Moving out promptly, Crawford crossed the run at Armstrong's Mill, strengthened by a brigade from Ayres. In the meantime Hancock had emerged into the clearing on the Plank road when the Confederates opened fire on him from near Burgess' tavern and from the left by a section of a battery at each place, but the one by the tavern was soon silenced by Beck's battery. Soon after Hancock's arrival at the Boydton road, Gregg came in by the Quaker road, and preparations were at once made to resume the march by the White Oak road. Egan moved down the Boydton road toward the bridge, for the purpose of driving the enemy across the run. Mott's division was put in motion for the White Oak road and a brigade of cavalry was sent down to relieve Egan in order that he might follow Mott. At this juncture (I P.M.) General Hancock received orders to halt at the Plank road. Mott formed one brigade in line, looking toward the upper bridge, while Egan continued to press the Confederate dismounted cavalry, which were finally driven over the run by a charge from a part of Smyth's brigade. Very soon after the order was received to halt, Generals Grant and Meade arrived on the field and Hancock was informed of Crawford's movement. The former was directed to extend his line to the right to form connection with the latter. Major Bingham was sent to find Crawford, and on his return and reporting Crawford's whereabouts, Generals Grant and Meade left the field, giving Hancock verbal orders to hold his position until the following morning. General Hancock now prepared to assault the enemy's position over the bridge, assisted by Beck's battery and supported by McAllister's brigade of Mott's division. De Trobriand's and Kerwin's brigades were in line to the left of the Plank road, facing northwesterly some distance below the White Oak road. Pierce's brigade was formed on the right of the Plank road, near the dense woods, part facing towards the run and part in the woods facing east, at almost right angles to the first part, with a section of Beck's battery on the edge of the timber. Gregg was on the Plank road below the junction of the Quaker road, engaged with some Confederate cavalry. Egan was just about to begin his assault, when a force of Confederate infantry appeared coming through the woods on his right and rear. Pierce was soon forced from his position. Beck's section was captured after it had changed front and fired some shots, and the Confederates were rapidly closing in on Egan's rear, even getting possession of the Plank road. Seeing the trouble at a glance, Egan faced his command about, swept down upon the Confederate flank, while De Trobriand and Kerwin changed front and moved over to the right of the Plank road, and Beck turned the remainder of his guns loose on the assailants. Egan was irresistible, the Confederates were swept from the field with a loss of two colors and several hundred prisoners, and Beck's two guns were recovered. While this was going on Warren had advanced with Crawford's command, which crossed Hatcher's Run at 11.45 A.M. His line was formed with Bragg's brigade in line of battle, his right resting on the creek. Colonel Hofmann's brigade covered the left, and the Maryland brigade was in reserve. The density of the woods and the crookedness of the run caused great delays in the movement. Finding there could be no guide to Crawford's movements, Warren directed Griffin, at I P.M., to open on the Confederates with his skirmish line, to show where it was. Crawford continued his movement, losing a little time by mistaking the branch which comes in near the Crow house for the main stream, and subsequently having |