The National tribune., 1895-07-11
WHITE OAK ROAD.
Interesting Discussion to Two Fifth Corps
Divisions.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In Che
fighting at White Oak Road on the morning
of March 81, 1864, it may be, as 1.-THE Cam
noneer" suggests, that the Second and Third
Divisions of the Fifth Corps did not be-
have so well as they might have done; it
may be that there was some Lack of either
caution or skill on the part of the officers,
but we are not convinced that the conduct of
men or officers was notably discreditable.
The map given in THE NATIONAL TRIB-
UNE leaves the impression that the TWO d.
visions were equally advanced, and does not
locate them near enough to the White Oak
Road. We have not means to correct the
errors in this and other respects, but are con-
WINGED that "The Cannoneer did not fully
understand the situation.
Whatever may have been the position Of
the Third ID vision, it is certain that the
flank attack fell on the left flank OF Ayres's
Division. This force consisted of three bri-
gades--McGowan's, Gracie's and Hunton's-
the first two directly on the flank and the
latter bearing more on he font. Wise's
Brigade Joined in the attack almost as soon
as the engagement was begun, aiming as it
seemed, TO reach the right flank.
The first three brigades numbered about
5000, according to Hunt0n's testimony be-
fore the Warren Court Of Inquiry. Ayres's
force did not equal this, and it was manifeslly
necessary for thenito get into different shape
in some way. 1t may be that the uaen used
their own judgment 10 some extent about
improving he situation. II was our pivilege
to see the right of The Second Division at one
place. The line was going back slowly and
resisting, but no one seemed to he much dis
turbed about it.
Evidently some of the troops did fairly
we'll We quote from Gen. Ayres's report
in Official Records Sec. Vol. 46, Part1:
Great credit is due to BreveiCol. Joseph
b. Pattee for the able manner in which he
fought his command on the sk,rmi,h-line,
| without any support or connection with the
right or left. The designs of the enemy to
turn our TANKS and prevent us from reach
| ing the B0ydton plank road were effectually
frustrated by the determined manner in
which his men disputed their advance,
thereby giving the command time TO form
| line on the hill above mentioned"
Col. PsItee's command consisted of the
| fragments OF three Pennsy lvania regiments,
the 18th, 190lh, and 191st; about 500 in
all. They were not with the brigade, but
on the right, in a position 10 which they had
advanced on the Both. After the battle was
fairly opened, they were relieved by the 10th
| Me-, and moved toward the left; but had
gone only short distance when it was
found that the entire division was beng
pushed back. They deployed in skirmish-
line, engaged the enemy, and remained in
contact with him until reinforced by men
from the First Division Of the Second Corps
The right of the command was then at the
branch referred TO, near negros house. and
the enemy not over rs yards from them, and
a rebel battery firing she'll from their right
The advance of the enemy had been stopped
before MInk's Battery opened fire, and Pat
tees men were in front of the battery, SO
that the fire of the artillery passed over
part of them. The men slackened their fire
| toward the last, because their ammunition
was giving out. The rebels held their
ground until charge was made by men OF
the Second Corps.
We do not regard the affair of the morn.
ing of the 31st as fasco' The smaller
loss OF the afternoon was partly b cause the
rebels got about ali they could stand in tn.
morning.
The losses stated by "The Cannoneer
differ little from the reports. The First
Division lost 173 killed and wounded and