The National tribune., 1904-08-11
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
Continued from first page }

federate intreBched line ON the White Oak
road. The position of his corps was then
in this wise: Ayres's Division thrown for
ward to within few hundred yards of the
White Oak road; Crawford's Division in
rear Of and somewhat to the right of Ayres:
Griffns s Division in rear OF and somewhat
to the right Of Crawford. In case of any
hostile sally on the part Of Lee. the posi-
ton held by Warren was one of great deli
cacy: for as Sheridan was isolated from
the infantry by several miles. Warren
formed the very left OF the Union line, and
had to protect his own flank.
Thus placed. Warren made n disposition
of his troops that was perfectly conform
able to correct principles, and one that
showed much jnster appreciation of the
method of action suited to such situation
than was manifested in the conventional
system in vogue. In spite of the many
costly proofs already received OF the fulfil
lty OF long. thin. and consequently every
where weak lines of battle, upon the nal ked
TANKS of which Lee had made n series Of
constantly successful swoops. each new
turning operation saw this error repea ted.
Warren. however. discerning truly what
had always been Lees opportunity, in
place Of attempting to maintain a weakly
extended line from the left of Humphreys's 9
Corps. disposed his troops in masses en-
echelon, so that they could meet attack
from any direction. and readily re-enforce
any point assailed To make his position
still more secure. Warren desired to throw
forward the skirmishers on his left to seize
the White Oak road. beyond the termina-
ton of the Confederate intrenched line.
BY this means he would observe closely
the road by which Lee would move in any
| operation to strike Warren's flank. He
therefore ordered Ayres to advance n
Ol ln Il, <l,..y, 81,
enemy from that road. or develop in what
force it was held. On communicating this
order to Gen. Meade. Warren was d.
rected, if he found by his reconnaissance
that he could get possession Of the White
Oak road. to do so. notwithstanding pre-
vI0us instructions to suspend operations
for the day.(O
LEE, IN DESPERATION, ATTACKED.
Hardly, however, was this recOnnois-
| sance begun by an advance of the brigade
of Winthrop. at 1870 A. NJ, than heavy
attack fell upon Warren.
1t was Lees initiative. Often before
had he broken up these turning move
ments in their inception by falling heavily
on the exposed flank OF the Union force
Once more he esSayed the like blow, and.
to give it all the weight possible, he threw
| into it the bulk of the troops he had col
lected and formed on his right
The attack upon Warren was sudden,
| and burst out simultaneously both from
the north and west. 1t was indeed near
| attaining almost the wonted success, for
Ayres's troops. finding themselves envel-
| oped in the thick woods. easily gave way,
disorganized by the fugitives. broke in
turn. Happily the disposition Warren had
made of his force rendered this disruption
far from irretrievable. No disaster had
| occurred, for the troops ran rather because
they were bewildered by sudden flank
| and rear attack in dense and swampy
forest, than because they were forcibly
beaten back. When, however, they
emerged into the clearer ground in the
| rear, where Griffin's Division held post
! they were soon rallied. The good effect OF
the echelon arrangement was now seen
Griffin maintained his ground immovably
REpULsED AND WITHDREW.
The Confederate onset was soon check
| ed, and Warren, gathering together his
| forces, prepared to make a counter-attack.
TO assist this, Gen. Humphreys promptly
advanced Miles's Division on the right of
Warren. While the Fifth Corps attacked
in front. Miles assailed the Confederate
left flank. The operations of both forces
| were spirited and forcible, and resulted in
| repulsing the enemy at all points, and
uTlSInS nlLl Ddck 10 ulS Olu iiHe OH tue
White Oak road. In the Fifth Corps
Chamberlain Brigade was especially dis.
tinguished. capturing nearly the whole OF
the seth Va, with its colors. Miles also
took one flag and many prisoners. Hum
phreys. with his remaining two divisions
attempted also to carry the enemy's works
covering the Boydton road crossing Of the
White Oak road and those On the west
side of Hatcher's Run; but these efforts
| met no successful
To Lee paucity of numbers made econ
| omy of life so imperative a duty that
though he was pushed by his temper and
| the necessities of his situation to attempt
an aggressive policy. he knew well that he
could only hope for such success as sudden
swoops might bring, and that he was in nc
condition to attempt a general offensive
Hence. when he found himself foiled in
the attack against the left of the infantry