Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/512

504 assault is made on Martin, the right brigade of Hoke. Hunton also severely engaged.

June 4th—Heavy skirmishing. In the afternoon the enemy becomes unusually quiet, and from this some new movement is apprehended.

June 5th—Quiet, and affairs unchanged.

June 6th—Enemy retires from Ewell's and Field's front. Hoke removed from the command of General Anderson. Enemy's line bends back from Pickett's.

June 7th—Early engaged in finding the enemy. Pickett's skirmishers supporting and co-operating with him.

June 8th—Orders are received to attack with Pickett at daylight to-morrow morning, if the enemy should be discovered to be withdrawing.

June 9th—Enemy still in force in front. Early removed from the left, and Field and Pickett extend to fill the old trenches as far as Dickerson's house.

June 10th, 11th and 12th—No change in our line. Affairs quiet.

June 13th—The enemy is discovered to have disappeared from our front. The troops are at once put in motion. Kershaw, Pickett and Field crossing the Chickahominy at McClellan's bridge—trains by New bridge. We march by Seven Pines and over to the Charles City road, move down that, turn off at Williams' and bivouac near the battlefield of Frazier's farm. A little skirmishing at Riddle's shop by A. P. Hill.

June 14th—Quiet. No enemy immediately in front. Supposed to have crossed the James. In the evening orders are received to take position on Three Mile creek.

June 15th—Gary reports the enemy advancing and passed Nance's shop. Movement suspended in consequence.

June 16th—Pickett and Field move at 3 and 5 A. M., cross James river at Drewry's Bluff, and move down the turnpike towards Petersburg to occupy the line abandoned by General Beauregard. We found a picket of the enemy on the turnpike near Chester, and the line occupied by the enemy. Reconnoitering, and an effort to get him out, we get the left, including Howlett's.

June 17th—During the day we possess ourselves of the line by an advance of Pickett and Field. On the night of this day there is heavy righting at Petersburg, and urgent calls are made by General Beauregard for aid. Kershaw arrives near Perdue's.

June 18th—At 3 A. M. Kershaw moves for Petersburg, followed