The National tribune., 1904-07-21

the outburst Of the enemy was sn their
rear, and the presence Of the Confederates
was drst announced by volleys Of mus
kerry. Pierce's Brigade Of Motifs Divi-
sion at this point gave way, one section Of
artillery was captured. and affairs ap-
ceived. Hancock Immediately ordered
Egan to change front and move to resist
the adverse mass, but that officer, with
true soldierly instinct, had already done
that OF his own motion. and was moving
rapidly to attack the force in his rear. Ii
il probable that the Confederates did not
precisely comprehend the situation, for on
emerging into the open space around the
Boydton plankroad they pushed rapidly
across the road, and facing southwark,
commenced firing.
REBELS CRUSHED.
Egan swept down upon the tanks of the
enemy with Smythe's and Willett's Bri-
gades of his own division. and McAllis.
ter's Brigade Of Motifs Division. while
De TTobriand's Brigade and kerwin 5
Brigade of dismounted cavalry formed on
the west side of the road, and advanced
at the same time. The forward rush of
Egan's men was irresistible, and the Con-
federates We're driven from the field with
the loss Of two colors and nearly 1000
prisoners. The two captured guns were
retaken. The enemy made for the woods
In confusion, and retired by the same route
on which they had advanced. Several
hundred Of them strayed into Crawford's
line, and were taken. An advance Of the
force under that officer at this time, must
have been decisive of the action, driving
the enemy into Hatcher's Run.(39 Nc
such advance was ordered, however, as il
was thought that Ayres's Division could
reach Hancock more readily than Craw-
ford, there being no known road between
these two. Darkness was SO near at hand
when Ayres moved that he halted for the
Quently did not reach Hancock (34)
Almost simultaneously with this attack
the Confederate cavalry five brigades
under Hampton) assailed Hancock's left
and rear, held by Gregg's Mounted Divi.
sion. This force was so heavily pressed
that Hancock was obliged to send Gen
Gregg all Of his force that he had used in
meeting the attack In front The action
was kept up here till some time after dark
Gregg was able to maintain his ground
and the Confederates gained no success.
Hancock's loss in this encounter was
l 800 men, which was less than that of the
enemy. The action was highly creditable
to his skill and the good conduct Of the
troops. Aside from the praise due to Han
cock for the manner in which he had met
this sudden attack on his isolated posi-
ton, nothing can be said in favor of the
expedition as a whole. 1t resulted in total
failure, which was partly the result of
misfortune, but mainly the result of faults
in the original plan. The experience of
this operation furnished q fair test OF
what may be expected from the like dis
positions.
After the repulse Hancock had given
the force that assailed him, he was reluc.
tant to leave the field that night; but as
his troops had nearly exhausted their am
munition. and as there was little prospect
that fresh supply or reenforcements
could reach him in time for an attack in
the morning. the withdrawal was begun
at 10 p. m.(30 This appears to have
been very fortunate decision, for dur
ing the night the Confederates massed at
the position where the fighting ceased 49,
600 infantry and Hampton's cavalry.
with which they had intended to assail
Hancock at daylight of the 18th. (36) Next
morning the whole force returned to the
lines before Petersburg.