Col. Stone was informed that the Illinois cavalry were picketing on his front and right, and the 174th New York infantry on his left, and he was cautioned very strictly to be careful and not shoot those pickets by mistake.
The Staff Officer who conducted the 48th to its position, led them (and also the battery), entirely outside the pickets, so that unknown to Col. Stone the 48th was in a very exposed position, with neither front nor flanks protected. Cos. H and K were detached from the right wing and sent to the rear to guard the baggage train, leaving only three companies, B, E and D, in that wing; these three companies of the right wing, under Lieut.-Col. O'Brien, filed into the woods on the right hand side of the road; and the left wing, Cos. F, G, I, A and C, with Col. Stone, into the woods on the left-hand side of the road, and the battery was placed in the road between the two wings which were entirely separated from each other. Scarcely had the regiment taken its position when the rebels commenced shelling us and our battery smartly returned their fire. While this was transpiring a force of rebel infantry passed around the left flank, and to the rear of the left wing, and as soon as the artillery fire ceased, fell upon them while totally unprepared. The suddenness of the attack threw them into confusion and they gave way and retreated to the rear. The advance of the rebels was met by a countercharge of the 116th New York and the rebels were routed.
A portion of the rebel forces crossed the road and came upon the left flank and rear of the right wing. Lieut.-Col. O'Brien attempted to change front by throwing back his left, but a portion of the men became
