Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 40.djvu/98

94 their guns were captured, the loss on the Federal side in killed and wounded being estimated at between one and two thousand. Barksdale realizing his weakness had sent to Hays and Wilcox for assistance, and five regiments were on their way when it was found they were too late. General Newton is quoted as saying, "If there had been 100 more men on Marye's Hill we could not have taken it."

The capture of Marye's Heights split the Confederate force and left the way open to Sedgwick to pursue Early by the Telegraph road running south near Spottsylvania Court House, or to turn west and follow the Plank road. Newton's division was directed on the Plank road, and Brook's was directed to follow. Gibbon returned to Fredericksburg to take possession of the town, and Howe followed Early on the Telegraph road. Barksdale attempted a rally at Lee's Hill, but was compelled to give way. Early hastened to check the pursuit, and when Hays' regiments came round from the Plank road, with these and Gordon's brigade, he established a line at Cox's house 1 3/4 miles further south. Cox's and a little group of dwellings is situate where a road coming from the direction of Salem Church intersects the Telegraph road, and the denizens of the little borough retain a lively tradition of what they regard as one of the battles of the war. Howe could not have considered the pursuit serious as he does not mention it in his report. Wilcox in the meantime when he found that assistance was too late for Barksdale, with admirable judgment moved his command to Salem Church on the Plank road, and anticipating Sedgwick's advance selected a position at the toll house where he determined to make a stand. The battle of Salem Church is regarded as one of the most brilliant engagements of the war. The old brick church with its walls scarred by bullets and shells, and with its gallery and double row of windows, stands a little removed from the road on the south side, in the midst of a clump of trees, and the schoolhouse a few paces beyond. McLaws did not accept Wilcox's position at the toll house, but threw his lines across the road about sixty yards in rear of the Church, with two brigades on either side, and an interval between to be filled by