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Then came batteries, then more infantry, all of the 5th Corps; the Second had not yet begun to pass.
An old nigger made us some coffee and hoe-cake — very acceptable. . . .
Headquarters Army of Potomac Thursday, May 19
To continue my history a little — I had struggled with much paper to the morning of the 8th.
It proved a really hot day, dusty in the extreme and with a severe sun. We staid till the morning was well along, and then started for Piney Branch Church.
On the way passed a cavalry hospital, I stopped and saw Major Starr, who had been shot directly through both cheeks in a cavalry fight the day before.
He was in college with me, and when I first came to the army commanded the Headquarter escort, the same place Adams1 now has. . . .
Near Piney Branch Church we halted, pitched tents and had something cooked.
Meanwhile there was firing towards Spotsylvania, an ill omen for us. The Rebels were there first and stood across the way. Warren attacked them, but his were troops that had marched and fought almost night and day for four days and they had not the full nerve for a vigorous attack.
General Robinson's division behaved badly.
Robinson rode in among them, calling them to attack with the bayonet, when he was badly shot in the knee and carried from the field.
They failed to carry the position and lost a golden opportunity, for Wilson's cavalry had occupied Spotsylvania, but of course could not keep there unless the enemy were driven from our front. . . .
A little before two we moved Headquarters down the Piney Branch Church road, south, to near its junction 