The National tribune., 1908-04-16

Colquitt, who commanded the right bri-
gade of Rodes's firs- line of battle, and
were not even in sight when Jackson
reached the Talley's Mansion. The re-
markable delay of this great force was
due to a trivial circumstance, and Illus
trates the remark that the fate of a
campaign may depend, as IL were. upon
single hair. as Napoleon was wont to
say. Colquitt, as he advanced in the
woods and had almost reached the Tai
ley and Burton Farms, struck deter
mined picket line, composed largely OF
men of the 55th Ohio, and as he saw
some cavalry dressed in the Federal
uniform near the Burton Farm he con-
ceived the strange idea that his flank
was threatened by Federal troops ad
vancing from the direction of WeIford's s
Furnace He recalled the 9Th Ga,
which had almost reached the Talley
Farm, halted his entire brigade, changed
front to the south, and compelled Ram
seur, who commanded the brigade in
his rear, to do the same and also to
march some distance to the south in the
woods in search of the enemy, but
without finding solitary Yankee In
the meantime the four regiments of
cavalry under Stuart and the five regi-
ments of infantry of the Stonewal Bri-
gade, then halted on the Plank road
near the Burton Farm, were compelled
to remain quiet until Colquitt resumed
his march, as he had the right of way,
and the unmasking of the line of battle
on that flank. So that by this singular
act of stupidity II regiments were held
back 40 to 60 minutes. and when they
did arrive on the field of battle the
wrecks of the First and Third Divisions
of the Eleventh Corps had escaped from
almost certain and complete destruc-
ton or capture"
when Deyens's troops were being
destroyed the brigades OF Jackson's left
wing were retarded in the dense thick
cts thru which they were obliged to
march. and did not come in contact
with the Federal forces of the Third
Division, stationed at the Hawkins
Farm, until some time. after Won elisa
was attacked. In fact, the 26th Wis.
and the 5Sth N. Y. We're more than half
mile in rear of Won elisa, and had
ample time to prepare for the enemy.
Gen. Schurx's Fight.
Gen. Schurz was impressed early in
the day with the weakness of his posi-
ton in case the attack was made from
the westward, and several times ex-
pressed desire to form his division on
the line indicated by the little stream
known as Hunting Run, flowing directly
north from the church to the river
His position then would have extended
from the Plank road, near the church,
to the ruins of the old mill on Hunting
Creek, a mile to the north, and is ap-
parently the line of defense indicated
in the orders given to Howard and SlO
cum, May l, 4:45 p. m. The military
advantages of this over the one adopt
ed are very apparent, but Schurz was
refused permission to make the change |
However, SchurZ did, of his own voli- |
ton, change the front of the 18th Wis. |
and the 5Sth N. Y, and moved them to |
the edge of the Hawkins Farm, facing
westerly, and also placed the SD Ill. |
to support them.
THE attack on Won elisa was soon
observed, and the regiments of the
Third Division had ample time to take
arms and position, for the left brigades |
of Rodes and Colston became entangledl |
in the dense forest, and moved slower
than those of the right of the Confed-
crate line, and it was some time after
Won elisa had been routed before the
rebel skirmish line struck the Federal
pickets, well advanced in the woods |
west of the Hawkins Farm. When the
attack on the pickets began, and it be-
came evident that a great force of the
enemy was present, and that their lines
extended far to the north of the Fed
eral position, the two regiments werel
ordered back a short distance near the
Hawkins House, where they made a |
stand, with the SD ILL., on their left,
and the three regiments calmly awaited
the onset of four powerful Confederate |
brigades.
This line was attacked with great
energy, and the Federal regiments
fought with resolution, but were forced
back towards the woods in their rear,
and, with the 18th N. Y, 6Sth N. Y,
sgd Ohio, 18TH N. Y. and parts of the
61st Ohio and 74th Pa near the nike
formed line of battle extending from
below the junction of the Plank road
and pike. along in front of the little
church, to the edge of the woods on the
north of the Hawkins Farm
"This second attempt at resistance
was strengthened by some of the SOL