Page:A memoir of the last year of the War of Independence, in the Confederate States of America.djvu/32

28 in readiness to co-operate with Ewell, should his attack prove successful; but, as he was compelled to retire, Thomas was withdrawn.

Subsequently, the enemy retired from Heth's and Wilcox's fronts; and, on the afternoon of the 2 1st, Wilcox was sent out on the road leading from Mahone's front across the Ny, with two of his brigades to feel the enemy, and found him still in force behind entrenched lines, and had a brisk engagement with that force.

While Wilcox was absent, an order was received by me, from General Lee, to turn over to General Hill the con;ilTiand of his corps, as he had reported for duty. I did so at once, and thus terminated my connection with this corps, which I had commanded during all the trying scenes around Spottsylvannia Court House. The officers and men of the corps had all behaved well, and contributed, in no little degree, to the result by which Grant was compelled to wait six days for reinforcements from Washington, before he could resume the offensive, or make another of his flank movements to get between General Lee's army and Richmond.

The movement of the enemy to get between our army and Richmond had been discovered, and, on the afternoon of the 21st, Ewell's corps was put in motion towards Hanover Junction. After turning over to General Hill, the command