Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 39.djvu/211

 Spotsylvania Courthouse. 199

Cieneral Warren to open his artillery at the same time and be prepared for the offensive. The Second Corps, being nearest to the point of attack, led, the Sixth Corps following. The troops were in the position designated before daylight, and at 4 A. M. Gibbon and Barlow moved forward to assault, their troops in lines of brigades. Birney and Tyler were held in re- serve. The artillery was posted in the first line of works at the apex of the salient, firing over the troops. The Sixth Corps advanced on the right of the Second. But the enemy was on the alert, and the new intrenchments across the base of the Salient were of the most formidable character, being concealed on their right by woods, and having on that part of their front a heavy slashing, and on their left front, which v/as in the open ground of the Harrison farm, lines of abatis. As the troops approached, they were met v."ith a heavy musketry and artillery fire which completely swept the ground in front ; but, notwith- standing, they passed forward to the slashing and abatis, and made several gallant attempts to carry the enemy's lines, but without success.

"Upon its being reported to General Meade that there was but little probability of the enemy's lines being carried, he di- rected the attack to be discontinued, and the troops were ac- cordingly withdrawal.

"General Burnside made the attack directed on the morning- of the i8th, with the Divisions of Crittenden and Potter, and all his artillery, uniting on the right with Hancock, but could not carry the enemy's intrenchments. The artillery of the Fifth Corps also opened and continued its fire for several hours."

Air. Chas. A. Dana, in his report, pages y2 and 73 of records, to Secretary Staunton, says: "The report of General Wright, who had reconnoitered the ground over which our proposed at- tack upon the enemy's right was to be made, caused General Grant to change the plan detailed in my dispatch of last evening. Instead of attacking on our left Hancock and Wright have made a night march to our right flank and attacked at daylight upon the same lines vvhere Hancock made his successful assault