Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 03.djvu/287

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Major—Agreeably to verbal instructions from the Commanding General, the division of Major-General D. H. Hill was, on the morning of the 31st ultimo, formed at an early hour, on the Williamsburg road, as the column of attack upon the enemy's front on that road. A brigade was placed on each side of the road to advance to the attack, and each was supported by one of the other brigades of the same division.

In advance of each of the columns of attack a regiment as skirmishers was deployed. The plan for the forward movement was that fields should be passed by a flank movement of the regiments of skirmishers, and the woods in front once in our possession, the brigades were to advance rapidly, occupying them, and move steadily forward. Abatis and entrenched positions were ordered to be taken by a flank movement of the brigades or brigade in front of them, the skirmishers engaging the sharpshooters, and the supporting brigade occupying the position of the brigades during the flank movement.

The division of Major-General Huger was intended to make a strong flank movement around the left of the enemy's position and attack him in rear of that flank. This division did not get into position, however, in time for any such attack, and I was obliged to send three of my small brigades on the Charles City road to support the one of Major-General Huger's that had been ordered to protect my right flank.

After waiting some six hours for these troops to get into position, I determined to move forward without regard to them, and gave orders to that effect to Major-General D. H. Hill. The forward movement began about two o'clock, and our skirmishers soon became engaged with those of the enemy. The entire division of General Hill became engaged about three o'clock, and drove the enemy steadily back, gaining possession of his abatis and part of his entrenched camp, General Rodes, by a movement to the right, driving in the enemy's left.

The only reinforcements on the field in hand were my own brigades, of which Anderson's, Wilcox's and Kemper's were put in by