Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 40.djvu/70

66 order was then given to retire. Later in the afternoon Hooker sent word to Couch to hold the position until five o'clock, extend his skirmishers on either flank, and that Slocum would hold a position on the Plank road equally advanced, but Couch replied the order was too late as he was then in full retreat. During the afternoon McLaws was directed by Jackson to press on up the turnpike towards Chancellorsville. He with three brigades of Hill's division, moving across from the Plank road struck the turnpike half a mile in advance of McLaws and engaged Hancock who was covering Sykes' retirement, and pressed him back to within a short distance of Chancellorsville.

Couch was undoubtedly right in thinking the position gained by Sykes was a good one and should be held. Sykes had advanced about two miles and a half from Chancellorsville leaving the worst of the wilderness behind him, and reached a very considerable clearing extending across the pike in the direction of the river, with open ground mostly high, and admirably suited for the use of artillery and the deployment of large bodies of troops. But as so often happens, Hooker was not impressed with the value of time. His troops did not get under way until between ten and eleven o'clock, when Sykes might just as easily have occupied the ground three or four hours earlier, and had time to select his position, and throw out feelers for Humphreys and Griffin on his left, and Slocum on his right. Couch did not hesitate to express his indignation at being required to surrender the advantages of the advanced position and fight a defensive battle, in a "nest of thickets."

On the Confederate side Anderson, who was reinforced by Ramseur's brigade, succeeded in forcing back Slocum's line to a point beyond Aldrich's house, where an opportunity was presented for the use of artillery, and a brisk duel ensued between the opposing artillery. While this was in progress Slocum received orders to retire. On the retreat Slocum was vigorously pressed by Rodes' division and Posey's brigade, and his column was thrown into some disorder, but finally regained its original position without serious loss. Posey's advance was retarded by the Great Meadow Swamp forming the head of Mott's Run, but