The National tribune., 1910-12-08
Hancocl.s Instructions.

Richmond. Therefore his desire that
Lee should-not interfere with Sheridan.
Hancocl1's Instructions.
Gen Hancock was ordered to take his
corps and Gregg's cavalry, together
with a portion of the Tenth Corps, and
repeat the movement which he had
made in the latter part of July. I'm
usual care was taken to conceal the
direction of the movement and to make
the enemy believe that the troops were
being hurried to Washington to pro-
tect the National Capital. About 10
| O'Clock at night, Aug. 13, the Second
Corps reached City Point and embark
| ed on steamers for the pontoon bridge
at Deep Bottom. The cavalry and artli-
lery went by land. AS was too often
| the case, there was delay in the
movement. This was on account of the
boats striking shoal water and not pc
| ing able TO land until 9 o'clock on the
| morning of Aug. IA. when they should
have been ashore before daylight
| The enemy's works north of the
James began where Railey's Creek, a
wide, marshy stream, enters the James
| near Deep Bottom. On the further
side of this the enemy were strongly
intrenched TO cover the New Market
| and Charles City roads leading into
| Richmond. y few miles up the river
| the Confederates had pontoon bridge
| below Chapin's Bluff, by which the lines
| north of the James could be readily
| reinforced from those south.
The plan given Gen. Hancock was
| for Motifs Division to move on the
New Market road near the river ana
| lrive the outlying force of the enemy
tbehind Bailey's Creek. and further IL
possible. Gen. Barlow, commanding
| the First and Second Divisions, was to
| 20 to the right OF Mott and attempt to
turn the enemy's left near the Jennings
House With Gregg'S Cavalry covering
the right flank. If Barlow should sue
ceed in turning the enemy aud driving
| him back, he was to move down ana
clear away the enemy in front of Mott.
II the infantry succeeded in uncover
ing the two main roads, Gragg's Cav
airy was 70 make q dash for Richmond
and attempt to wreck the railroads en-
tering that part of the city. Gen. Bir-
ney, with the Tenth Corps, was to move
along the James River, and if he forced
the enemy back was to advance on the
city by the kingsland, Narina- and MIL
roads.
Could this plan have been carried
out il would have given us possession
Of Chapin's Pluff, which was the main
fOrtification protecting Richmond to the
eastward. These hopes were disappoint-
ed because the attacking force was
not made sufficiently strong, and be-
to be much stronger than had been eN-
pected. Instead of three divisions hav-
ing been sent away to reinforce Early,
only one-K ershaw's seen sent
while Gen. Fields Division remained
at the Deep Bottom or Bailey's Creek
intrenchment. and Cen. WilcoX's was
at Chapins Bluff Therefore, observ
ing the movements of the Union forces
in the fun light of day, the enemy was
enabled to readily concentrate enough
force in the strong works to hoId Birney
and Mott back. Gen. Barlow found
himself struggling thru the thick woods
toward Fussell's Mill, a mile and half
from Mott, and it was 4 o'clock when
he arrived at the striking point. Then
ne had only one brigade of Gibbons
Division with him which found itself
entirely too weak for the force encoun-
tered there. The Confederates, realiZ-
ing that their greater danger was fromI
Barlow, rushed troops over from their
right 10 encounter him. and even weak
ened the lines in front of Birney in
order to do this. Birncy was thus able
to make a dash and capture Il part
of the line in his front. with four guns
and some prisoners but was unable to-
advance. Hancock says that in spite
of Rarlow's well-known gallantry and
his utmost efforts to get his troops for
ward and strike the enemy quick and
hard, it was not done. Hancock attri-
butes this to the large number of new
men among the troops and the great
loss of experienced, gallant officers who
had fallen since the army crossed the
Rapidan. Gregg showed great deal
of enterprise and pushed his ca"alry
far up the Charles City road.
The Battle of Aug. 15.
That night Birney's command was
| nearly all sent over to the right to
ha1y nrlN
and Col. Craig's Brigade. of Motifs Di-
vision, was also sent to that point. The
proposition was to attack IN the morn
ing, crush the enemy, and turn bis left
| flank, according to the original pro-
gram. Pirney was to find and swing
around the left flank. while Gregg 8
| Cavalry was to cover Birney's right