Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 28.djvu/333

 Gen. P. G. T. Btaurcymi 327

had arrived, he reported the enemy driving Hoke's left, and sent the right regiment of Lewis' brigade at double quick towards the supposed point of danger. This held the enemy long enough for the reserve brigade to arrive, charge and drive him back from the front of our left centre, where the affair occurred, over and along the works to the turnpike. It will be seen from a subsequent part of this report that one of Hagood's advanced regiments had unex- pectedly come into contact with the enemy and been ordered back, it not being contemplated to press at this point until Ransom should swing round his left, as directed in the battle order. This possibly originated Ransom's impression as to the condition of Hoke's left, which, in fact, had steadily maintained its proper position.

"At 7:15 A. M., Colquitt's brigade of the reserve was recalled from Ransom, and a slight modification of the original movement was made, to relieve Hoke, in whose front the enemy had been allowed, by the inaction of the left, to mass Ms forces. Ransom was ordered to flank the enemy's right by changing the front of his own right brigade, to support it by another en echellon, to advance another to Proctor's Creek, and to hold a fourth in reserve. Upon receiving this order, he reported a necessity to re-form and straighten his lines in the old position near the breastworks he had stormed. Here his infantry rested during the greater part of the day. Duno- vant's cavalry, of his command, dismounted, and were thrown for- ward as skirmishers towards a small force which occupied a ridge in the edge of George Gregory's woods, near Proctor's Creek. This force, with an insignificant body of negro cavalry, and a report of threatening gunboats, were the only menace to our left, as since ascertained.

"At 10 A. M. I withheld an order for Ransom to move until further arrangements could be made, for the following reasons: The right was heavily engaged; all the reserve had been detached right and left at different times; a dispatch had been sent to Whiting at 9 A. M., which was repeated at 9:30, to press on and press over every- thing in his front and the day would be complete; and Ransom had not only reported a strong force in his front, but had expressed the opinion that the safety of his command would be compromised by an advance. On the right Hoke early advanced his skirmishers.

"The fog temporarily delayed the advance of his line of battle. He was soon hotly engaged. Hagood and Bushrod Johnson were thrown forward, with a section of Eschelman's Artillery (Washing- ton), and found a heavy force of the enemy, uith six or eight pieces