Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/506

494 thrown forward as a strong line of skirmishers—for the purpose of making a night attack; but soon after the order was given, our artillery opened and the enemy replied. I at once ordered my men to lie down, as I was unwilling to attempt to manoeuvre them in the dark, and in such a woods, under such a deadly fire. Col. William H. Palmer, of this city, gallantly crossed the road to know why I did not move my command. I requested him to tell General Hill that if he wished me to do so successfully he must order his artillery to cease firing. The order was given, and, as I had anticipated, the enemy also ceased firing. I now formed my brigade as I had been ordered, putting the Seventh and Thirty-Seventh on the right of the road, and the Eighteenth and Twenty-eighth on the left, the right of the Eighteenth resting on the road, while the Twenty-third, under Col. Avery, was thrown forward as skirmishers. The woods in front of our right consisted of large oaks, with but little undergrowth; in rear of our right there was a pine thicket, and to the left of the road there was a dense growth of "scrubby oaks," through which it was very difficult for troops to move. Our skirmish line occupied the crest of the hill, separated, on the right of the road, from the Chancellorsville hill by a deep valley. I cautioned all of my field officers to watch closely the front, as we were then occupying the front line and were expected to make a night attack. After forming my line I rode back to ask General Hill if we must advance or wait for further orders, and on reaching the plank-road I met General Jackson alone, I think, and he at once wished to know for whom I was looking. I told him, and to save further delay I asked for orders. In an earnest tone, and with a pushing gesture of his right hand in the direction of the enemy he replied, "Push right ahead Lane," and then rode forward. On reaching the right of my command to put it in motion, I found that a Lieutenant-Colonel Smith of the One Hundredth and Twenty-Eighth Pennsylvania regiment, had come up between our line of battle and skirmish line, with a white handkerchief tied to a stick, to learn, as he stated, whether we were friends or foes. This officer seemed surprised at my not allowing him to return after he had gratified his curiosity. I was still further delayed by officers of the Seventh regiment reporting that during my absence troops of some kind had been heard talking on our right. Lieutenant Emack, with five men, was at once sent out to reconnoitre, and he soon returned with the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania regiment, which had thrown down their arms and surrendered on being told that they were cut off. Just as Captain Young (our gallant boy-captain, about eighteen or nineteen years old) was ordered with his