Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 04.djvu/212

204 were very much exhausted, owing to the nature of the country through which they had advanced. About 10 o'clock I received an order to retrace my steps and march up the Turnpike road to Major-General McLaws' position. I did so, and having arrived with my brigade near General McLaws' headquarters, received an order revoking the former order, and directing me to move my command back to the position I had just left. Having retaken that position, I remained until morning, every thing in my front continuing quiet. Brigadier-General Wofford having re-established his connection with the line on his left, the line of battle was advanced, I moving in conformity with the line on my left, keeping out a strong line of skirmishers, and sending out scouting parties to my front and right. We encountered no resistance to our advance. The, the [sic] enemy falling back without firing a gun. We took a few prisoners, and found some abandoned commissary stores, arms, &c. About 4 o'clock in the evening the line was closed up to the left by order from Major-General McLaws, until my left rested a few paces to the right of the Pike road. My skirmishers here became engaged with the enemy, driving back the enemy's skirmishers and holding the ground gained against a brisk fire from both infantry and artillery. At dark I received an order from Major-General McLaws to report with my command to Major-General Anderson, on the left of Major General McLaws' line, and in obedience to Major-General Anderson's orders, bivouacked my men in the woods for rest. Sometime before daylight of the morning of the 3d of May, I moved my command, by direction of Major-General Anderson, down the Catharpin road for the purpose of scouring the country to the left of and rear of the left of Major-General Anderson's line. I found the country clear, and moved up by the furnace, on the left of the line, and came up with the other brigades of the division, near to the enemy's works. I at once formed my line of battle and pushed forward upon the right flank of the enemy's works on the left of the line of Major-General Anderson's division. The fire was quite brisk here from a line of the enemy, thrown back at right angles to this front, to protect his flank and rear. This line soon gave way, and pushing forward, I found myself inside of his breastworks. Having no knowledge of the ground, and the woods being so thick as to entirely obstruct the view, I was at a loss for some time as to the