Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 12.djvu/238

 228 Southern Historical Society Papers.

After commencing the move I could not recede, and ordered an attack by these two brigades, which was handsomely and gallantly done, which resulted in the capture of five pieces of artillery by Ha- good's brigade and a number of prisoners, besides killing and wound- ing many, and also in occupying the works. One regiment on the left of Hagood's brigade extended across the outer line of works in the direction of James river, which was ordered forward to connect with the right of General Ransom's division, but to my amazement found the enemy in strong force behind entrenchments. It was not intended that this regiment should attack the enemy in this position, as the movement was to be made by the troops on the left; but they, in their eagerness to enter the engagement, did so, and I am sorry to say suffered most heavily. When it was seen that the enemy still occupied my front this regiment was ordered back to the line of en- trenchments to await the further development of the flank movement. In the meantime the enemy made two charges upon the front of Ha- good and Johnson to retake the lost works and artillery, but were most handsomely repulsed, and were followed on the left of Hagood's brigade and driven from the woods in their front, and with the assist- ance of our artillery the "pike " was cleared of the eyieniy before the flankiyig cohcmn reached that point. During this time the masses of the enemy between our intermediate and outer line of works had moved upon the right flank and rear of General Johnson, which was some distance on the right of the pike and in the outer line of works, and made his position quite critical; but the stubbornness of the Gen- eral made it all right. He was repeatedly attacked in this position, but repulsed every effort of the enemy.

It was at this time I was anxious to get a brigade to throw down the outer line of works, which would have completely placed that portion of the enemy in the woods between our outer and interme- diate lines at our mercy; but owing to a misunderstanding of the officer who conducted these forces they were placed in position im- properly, and were of no avail during these repeated attacks upon the right of General Johnson. I became alarmed for him, as he had several times sent to me for assistance, and ordered two regiments of Clingman's brigade to report to him, which I did with great reluc- tance as I felt it would defeat my plans on my right ; but necessity compelled me. In order, also, to relieve the position of General Johnson, which was our key, I ordered forward Corse with his bri- gade and Clingman with his two regiments. They went forward in good style and drove the enemy from their front, but owing to the

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