The National tribune., 1904-07-21
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
Continued from frss paseJ

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Continued from farst page,
to repulse these attacks, and make the
enemy pay dearly therefor.
TURNING MOVEMENT AGAINST PETERS
BURG.
It was now approaching the season
when, practicable roads and weather be-
operations on q large scale must neces-
sariy be suspended. Before settling down
to Winter-quarters, however, Gen. Grant
determined to strike one vigorous blow for
the capture of Petersburg. The plan was
to find the extreme right of the enemy $
intrenched line, and by turning it march
upon and lay hold Of the Southside Rail-
road, which was Lees principal commune
cation. The expeditionary force consisted
of the major part of the three corps of the
army, leaving behind from each only a
sufficient force to hold the lines in front
Of Petersburg.
At this period the left flank Of the
Union line rested at point about two
miles west of the Weldon Railroad; three
miles west Of this point one strikes the
Boydton plankroad, which runs northeast
ward into Petersburg. This road, since
the loss Of the Weldon Railroad, had as
sumed such Importance to Lee that he
had prolonged the right of his intrenched
line. covering that road for some distance
below the point where it crosses Hatcher
Run. These defenses protected, also, the
SOuthside Railroad, which at this point
runs parallel with the Boydton plankroad,
and two miles distant therefrom.
In the assignment of duty to the re-
spective corps, the Ninth Corps, supported
ously the extreme right of the enemy
intrenched line, while Hancock should
Cross to the west side Of Hatcher's Run,
by swinging movement, gain the Boyd
ton plankroad and advance to seize the
Southside Railroad. The execution Of
this plan was begun early on the morning
OF the 9TH. Proceeding westward two or
three miles, the Ninth and Fifth Corps, at
a. m, struck the right of the Confeder-
ate intrenched line, which was found to
rest on the east bank Of Hatcher's Run.
The Ninth Corps, under Gen. Parke, was
ON the right, and Warren's Corps on the
left. II Parke should carry the position,
turning towards the right. Warren was
to support the attack in case Of success;
but if the Ninth Corps should fail to
break the enemy's line, he was to
cross Hatcher's Run and endeavor to
turn the enemy's right, by recrossing at
the first practicable point above the Boyd
ton piankroad. 1t was very soon found
impracticable to force the enemy's position
by direct attack, and Warren then set
on foot the turning movement; but before
further following events here, it is neces-
sary to detail the operations of the de-
tached column of Hancock, whose part in
the plan Of action has been above indi-
Gated.
HANCOCK HALTED BY MEADE.
Hancock marched by the Vaughan road,
which runs westward q considerable dis
lance south of the line on which Parke
and Warren were acting. Having forced
the crossing of Hatcher's Run, disputed
by a small body of the enemy on its west
bank, he advanced northwestward, by the
way of Dabney's Mill, and gained the
Boydton plankroad. Thence he was to
proceed to the crossing at White Oak
bridge, two miles above, and after fur
Their march of four miles strike the South
side Railroad In rear of the enemy's ex-
treme right. Hancock's left was covered
by Greggs Cavalry Division. The cross
ing of Hatcher's Run at Burgess's Mill
was found to be observed by merely d
small force Of the enemy, and wishing to
mask his march, he was proceeding to
drive it across the run, when, at l p. m,
he received orders from Gen. Meade to
halt on the Boydton plankroad-an order
prompted by the want of success attend
ing Gen. Parke's direct attack.
1t has been seen that, on the failure OF
the Ninth Corps to force the enemy's line
in its front, Warren set ON foot a turning
send one of his divisions across Hatcher
Run, place its right flank on the run, and
then move UP it's course. 1t was supposed
this measure would serve the double pur-
pose of supporting Hancock's right flank
and turning the position in front of the
rest of Warrenl's Corps and of the Ninth
Corps When, by flank attack, the force
in front Of these corps should be forced
to abandon its position, they were also to
cross to the west side of Hatcher's Run.
,Ehe division assigned by Warren to this
duty was Crawford's, strengthened by one
brigade Of Ayres's. Crawford crossed
Hatcher's Run at Armstrong; Mill, about
noon, and proceeded up the stream in the
manner indicated. 1t will now be under
stood that the order to Hancock to halt
on the BOydton plankroad was prompted
by the desire that Crawford should
move up to his support, and open the way
for the forces to the same; for Hancock s
position at Burgess's Mill, on the Boyd
ton plankroad, isolated him by FIVE or six
miles and by Hatcher's Run from War
rem and Parke, and raised fears as to his
safety. Circumstances now to be de-
tailed, however, prevented the junction of
these forces, and finally ended prematurely
an expedition from which the largest re-
suits had been hoped
BEwILDERED IN THE WOODS.
Crawfords march up the west bank of
HatcherS Run proved to be one OF great
difficulty, the country being densely wood
ed and nearly impracticable. Great num-
bers of the men became lost-in fact
whole regiments losing all idea of where
to find the rest Of the division. After two
or three hours of toilsome effort he had ad-
vanced SO far up the Run as to be directly
on the right flank of the intrenched line
opposed to the rest of the Fifth Corps
and Ninth Corps. This line was, however
on the opposite side of the stream, and
before crossing to assail the enemy. Gen
Warren ordered cessation of operations
until he should consult with Gen. Meade
for the country proved to be entirely diff
ferent from the representa- tons of the i'm
perfect map. From the position where
Crawford lay on the west side of Hatch
er's Run to that held by Hancock ND this
stream at Burgess's Mill, the distance was
| not above mile; bpt, owing to the diff
cult nature of the cohntry, it was long be-
| fore these respective forces found out the
| location of each other, and in the mean
time affairs eliminated by an attack OF
the Confederates on Hancock
Hancock, on being instructed to hall
at BURGESS Mill, was also informed that
Crawford's Division was feeling its way
up the west bank of the Run, and he was
desired to assist in making the connection
by extending his right. Accordingly, Gen,
Egan (then commanding Gihhon'S Divi