The National tribune., 1904-06-23
TO REJECTED CLAIMANTS.

double lines of battle Griffin effectually
repulsed the attack, and with such loss to
the assailants that the Confederate COM
mander, while continuing to hold three
brigades on Griffin's front, detached the
brigade under Brown to make an assault
in flank. (34) Marching in column up the
railroad for some distance, that brigade
wheeled by right into line of battle, and
fell upon Cutters Division, which was just
getting into position on the right of Griffin
Cutters left giving way, the whole division
was thrown into much confusion. This un-
covered Griffin's right; but the danger was
avoided by refusing that flank somewhat,
and at the same time Bartlett's Brigade
hurried forward and reeStablished the line.
In the execution of this manuver there
occurred one of those odd rencounters which
occasionally happen in the complicated ac-
ton of battle. One of Bartlett's regiments
(the SD Pa, under Lieut.. Col. Mccoy. in
marching up by the flank. ran plump
against Browns column, which was moving
to follow up it's first advantage against the
right. 1t was one of those critical situa-
tons which a moment will decije-the de-
cision, in fact. depending on gaining the
advantage of the first volley. With quick
self-possession. Mccoy wheeled his forward
companies into line. and secured the first
fire. One of McCoy's men seized the Con-
federate commander by the collar. and
the flank and rear of the hostile brigade
a yolley which sent it back in disorder
through the woods. The repulse of the enc
my at all points on Warren's front was
now complete. and nearly 1000 prisoners
were taken. Warrens entire loss was not
above $50 in killed and wounded.
HANCOCK HAD TO FIGHT FOR CROSSING.
/ pass now from Warren on the right to
Hancock on the left, where that officer had
to carry the passage of the river against
considerable opposition. Hancock's point
of passage, as already seen, was the Ches-
terfeld or County Bridge. mile above the
railroad crossing of the North Anna. Here
ie-pont Oh a tongue of land formed by
Long Greek and the North Anna. Cover
ing the bridge on the north side was an eN-
tended redan. with wet ditch in front.
the gorge being commanded by ritle-trencheS
in the rear. On the southern bank. which
dominates the northern. was a similar
work. (35) The tongue of land to be over
passed in carrying the bridge-head was a
bare and barren plain several hundred
yards in width, ascending sharply toward
the enemv's position. which. as it turned
out, was held by a part Of Mclaws Divi-
sion of Longstreet's Corps. Birney's Divi-
sion of Hancock's Corps was assigned the
duty of carrying the work and bridge. To
cover the stOrming party. COX Tidball.
Chief of Artillery of the Corps. placed
in position three sections. which replied
with effect to the enemy's fire. An hour
before sundown. the assault was made by
the brigades of Pierce and Egan. that.
under heavy fire. swept across the open
plain at double-quick. As the menacing
line approached close to the work. the gar
rison fled precipitately. and the men, max
ing a fOothold in the parapet with their
bayOnets, clambered over it and planted
their colors on the re,lan. Thirty men of
the defending force, unable to escape. were
captured in the ditch The affair was ex-
ceedingly spirited, and cost less than 80