Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-22

Grant promptly ordered Warren to attack il
in flank and Wright at the same time to strike
its head, believing there was now splendid
opportunity to crush at least a part OF
Lees army before 1t could intrench. But on
this occasion both Warren and Wright were
timid and dilatory, failing to do more than
demonstrate feebly. In fact, Warren says the
line in his front was already strongly IN
trenched. 1t was a great opportunity lost
Finding himself forestalled at Old Cold Har-
Dor, Anderson took a position further back and
of course Immediately intrenched. Hoke came
in and took the extreme right of the COME der
ate line.
The confederate army strongly intrenched.
was now mainly facing northeast and east.
with its extreme right refused toward the
Chickahominy. Lees right was occupying
nearly the same ground held by the federals
under Porter when he attacked that general on
June n, 1862, though occupying much longer
front toward the north than Porter covered
and a mile or two in advance of Porter's posi-
ton. The federal line on June was Wright
on the left, about Old Cold Harbor, then War
rem, then Hancock, with Burnside, his right
doubled back toward the Pamunkey on the ex-
IRENE federal right. About 8 pm. Gen. W. F.
Smith. with the eighteenth corps of Buffers
army. Joined, taking position between Wright
and Warren.
OPENING THE BATTLE.
Grant now believed the opportunity was
Z,
and that evening" after Smith had deployed. the
sixth and eighteenth corps moved forward in
fine style over open ground generally receiv-
ing heavy fire, but driving back both Hoke
and Anderson, going over their front line of
rife pits and capturing 700 or 800 prisoners.
But back of the first line of works they came
upon another, which stopped Wright, who was
already encouraged with the hope of extend
ing on the left to the Chickahominy. Smith
suffered severely from flank fire on his right,
which was in the air, he having drawn away
from Warren, and was also finally repulsed
Both held all that they had gained
During the afternoon the confederates
fiercely attacked Warren, but were repulsed
several times with great loss. Other but fee
bier attacks were made on the front of Han.
cock and Burnside, and were all easily re-
PEELED. Grants pressure on his right toward
the Chlckahominy seemed to be making Lee
nervous. During the. night several attacks
were made on Wright, but without effect
These operations were important to Grant be-
cause at Old Cold Harbor he secured the roads
to the James, where he was eventually to 20,
and covered his line of communications with
White House.
The successes Of the LIST, however, deter
mined him to strike the confedsrates again
next morning all along the line. This led to
the battle Of Cold Harbor. That night Ham
cock was Withdrawn from Warren's right and
transferred to the extreme left of Wright. to-
ward the Chickahominy. He was to get on to
the rebel flank and attack at daylight. His
march was delayed by darkness and the attack
was deferred until pm. Of the 3D. and after
ward to the morning Of the Sd. Burnside was
drawn into Bethesda Church, on Warren,s right,
and Warren extended to the left to fill up the
interval between himself and Smith. Warren
and Burnside were attacked during these
movements and Burnside temporarily gave
way, letting the enemy in behind Warren's
skirmishers. who lost several hundred pris-
oners, but they finally repealed the enemy.
Lee during the operations Of the last few days
had become more bold, evidently having been
reinforced and impressed with the necessity of
action. However, he carefully avoided oifsr-
ing general battle outside the breastworkR
Hancock's movement to the left was OBJ
served by Leo early on the Id Two divisions
of Hill and Breckinridge's division, which had
joined Lee from the valley, we're moved to the
confederate right to meet Grants extension.
Early's (Evelrs) corps and Heth's division Of
Hills now composed the confederate left in
front OF Burnside and Warren; Hoke and An.
derson the center, in trout Of Smith and
Wright, and Hill and Breckenridge tho right,
In front Of Hancock. Lees line extended
from the Totopotom0y creek on the north TO Q
point on the Chickahominy beloN. New Cold
Harbor, on the south, some SIX miles long,
strongly fortified. In fact, some Of the works
made In 1854 we're used BY both armies, with
positions now exactly reversed
TIE DAT1LB o. GOLD 1A1DoR.
A. 80 .. n. June % the battle Of Gold
Harbor began BY Hancock's attacking with
Barlow and oibbea. Viii Birnsy h support