Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/409

 Hagood'a Brigade. 403

Point road, and the Twenty-fifth and Seventh battalions extending along the lines south of the road. The enemy's entrenchments were, at this point, parallel to ours, at a distance of near four hundred yards, an open field, with a rank growth of oats upon it, intervening. Each side had slight rifle-pits a short distance in front of its entrenchments. Our line of entrenchment was single. The enemy appeared to be entrenched in three lines close together, and the attack developed the fact that in their first line they had four and a half regiments, numbering some sixteen hundred or seventeen hundred men.

" My division commander had instructed me the night before to be ready for movement in the morning, without indicating what it would be. About dawn on the 24th, he, in person, informed me that a general engagement was contemplated that day, and instructed me in detail as to the part my brigade was to take in bringing it on. A heavy cannonade was to be opened from the north side of the river upon the enemy's position, and five minutes after it had ceased I was to charge the portion of the line between the river and the City Point road, with the Twenty-seventh, Twenty- first and Eleventh regiments. He informed me that I was to be closely supported by Anderson's brigade. When we had succeeded in driving them from their first line, Anderson was to occupy it until his supports arrived, when he was to press on against their second and third lines, while pivoting nay three regiments on their right and bringing up the other two regiments of the brigade, I was to form along the City Point road perpendicular to my first position, then, taking the enemy's first line as a directrix, I was to clear Colquitt's front as far as Hare's Hill.

" While General Hoke was still explaining the plan of battle to me, Lieutenant Andrews reported from General Anderson, stating that the latter was in position and had sent him to keep in communication with me. In consultation with General Hoke my plan of attack was settled and every preparation made.

"The artillery opened precisely at 7 A. M. and ceased precisely at 7:30. At 7:20 A. M. I sent Lieutenant Andrews to General Ander- son to say I would move in fifteen minutes. He left me with speed. A delay of several minutes, however, occurred in my movement, and at precisely 7:42 I advanced. I am so far thus accurate as to time because I did not see my support ; did not know their exact distance in the rear; and, being governed in my instructions by time, noticed the watch closely.

"My advance was made with four hundred picked men and officers as skirmishers, followed by the remainder of the three regiments