one, he then, in the amusing language of the Comte de Paris, "seeing no enemy, fearlessly proceeded to march into the next." This put his force directly on the Confederate flank, in a position of strength, "having a crest and natural glacis on either flank, and extending to the woods on the right and left," and "entirely commanding the plain between me and Fort Magruder."[1] As Hancock had five regiments and Cowan s battery of six pieces and Wheeler s of four, he felt strong enough, as he was so advantageously posted, to proceed "to make a diversion in favor of that portion of our forces which were engaged with the enemy directly in front of Fort Magruder." Up to that time the Confederates had been so absorbed in the hard fight in front that "Hancock’s maneuver had been executed before its dangerous significance became apparent"[2] Webb adds, "By this movement on our right, the enemy were forced to pay special attention to Hancock." "The occupation of these two redoubts on his extreme left, says Lossing, "was the first intimation that Johnston had of their existence, and he at once perceived the importance of the position, for it was on the flank and rear of the Confederate line of defense, and seriously menaced its integrity."[3] Hancock soon got his batteries to work, and, says the Regimental History of the Fifth regiment, was "seriously annoying our troops by an enfilading fire." So, to counteract Hancock’s "diversion," Early s brigade of D. H. Hill’s division, all of which division "had been waiting to see whether Longstreet needed any further support," was moved toward the left, and its officers, says General Longstreet, made a reconnoissance in their front. As a result of this reconnoissance, "General Early," says General Johnston, "sent an officer to report that there was a battery in front of him which he could
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Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 4.djvu/70
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52
CONFEDERATE MILITARY HISTORY.
