Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 04.djvu/123

Rh "Law's brigade was ordered forward to his division during the day, and joined it about noon on the 2d. Previous to his joining I received instructions from the Commanding-General to move, with the portion of my command that was up, around to gain the Emmettsburg road on the enemy's left. Fearing that my force was too weak to venture to make an attack, I delayed until General Law's brigade joined its division." The order, it is seen, was given for him to move with the portion of his command that was up. He does not give the time the move was to begin, but when the order was given it was known to General Lee that his whole corps was not present. "As soon after Law's arrival as we could make our preparations the movement was begun. Engineers sent out by the Commanding-General and myself guided us by a road which would have completely disclosed the move, and some delay ensued in seeking a more concealed route. McLaws' division got into position, opposite the enemy's liftleft [sic], about 4 P. M. Hood's division was moved further to our right, and got into position partially enveloping the enemy's left.

Wilcox's brigade reached the woods in which McLaws subsequently formed without being seen, but the collision that took place made the presence of Confederates in it known to the enemy, and it may have been this knowledge that caused Sickles to advance his line so as to rest its right along the Emmettsburg pike. McLaws was opposite Sickles' right; the left of his corps rested at Round Top, a mile more to our right, and near the left of the Union army, its right being to the east and north of Culp's Hill. McLaws advanced about 6 P. M., and while engaged in a close musketry fight with Sickles, two brigades of Anderson's division, Wilcox's and Perry's, assailed him in flank and rear, breaking his line at once, and forcing it back with loss and in confusion. Further to the right he fared no better, and his entire corps was driven back to the Ridge in rear. He had been in the meantime heavily reinforced, but all were driveddriven [sic] back. The Sixth corps came upon the field at the close of the battle; but one of its brigades became engaged. Longstreet's attack, as all must admit, was made too late in the day. Had it taken place at any time before 12 M. it would probably have been a success, and there would have been.no battle on the 3d.