Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/500

492 enemy feels Field's skirmishers strongly late in the afternoon. At night Mahone's division is sent to the left of Field to hold the Shady Grove road.

May 10th—Reports current of the enemy having gained our rear towards Beaver Dam. Sharp skirmishing on the whole line during the morning and heavy shelling. Hutcheson, one of our couriers, killed at 10 A. M. The enemy begins a series of attacks on Field's position; they continue at times during the entire day; all of them repulsed until 7 P. M., when the last and most desperate is made against Anderson and Gregg. Some of the enemy succeed in gaining the works, but are killed in them. The attack is repulsed with great slaughter to the enemy and little loss to us. At the same hour (7 P. M.) an attack is made on Ewell's lines, and succeeds in breaking through Doles' brigade. The enemy is driven back, however, leaving many dead near the works. Late in the night, at 10 and 4 o'clock, renewed attacks (feeble ones) are made on Field.

May 11th—Day opened with confident expectation of a renewal of the attacks of the enemy. Early reports four lines forming to attack our position. The day passes, however, without an attack in force, but with the usual skirmishing. Towards evening indications are apparent of the intended withdrawal of the enemy, and preparations are made to move after him.

May 12th—At 4¼ A. M. the enemy makes, with an overwhelming force, a sudden dash on J. M. Jones' brigade and breaks through Johnson's division, which is thrown back in great confusion. At the same time the artillery of that line, which had been withdrawn the night previous, just coming up to go into position, is captured, the horses killed and the cannoniers taken prisoners. Guns not taken off. Gordon, with Early's division, attacks the enemy to recover our position. Anderson's division (except Wright's brigade), which is left at the bridge on the left, is drawn to the right to drive back the enemy. A violent battle ensues, lasting without intermission until 12 M., in which the whole of the Second corps and part of the Third are engaged. It terminates on that part of the line by the enemy being driven from the ground they had gained, with the exception of a small part. During the action Wofford is sent to the support of Rodes. Between 9 and 10 o'clock A. M. Field sustains two violent assaults on a part of his line, which are again easily repulsed with great loss to the enemy. In the afternoon Jenkins and Humphreys are sent to report to General