William Swinton, Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac

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[543] hours of toilsome effort, he had advanced so far up the Run as to be directly on the right flank of the intrenched line opposed to the rest of the Fifth Corps and Ninth Corps. This line was, however, on the opposite side of the stream, and before crossing to assail the enemy, General Warren ordered a surcease of operations, until he should consult with General Meade, for the country proved to be entirely different from the representations of the imperfect map. From the position where Crawford lay on the west side of Hatcher's Run, to that held by Hancock up this stream, at Burgess's Mill, the distance was not above a mile; but, owing to the difficult nature of the country, it was long before these respective forces found out the location of each other, and in the mean time affairs culminated by an attack of the Confederates on Hancock.

Hancock, on being instructed to halt at Burgess's Mill, was also informed that Crawford's division was feeling its way up the west bank of the Run, and he was desired to assist in making the connection by extending his right. Accordingly, General Egan (then commanding Gibbon's division of Hancock's corps), deployed two of his brigades to the right of the Boydton plankroad, and subsequently deployed two regiments as far as they would reach to the right. It was at one time reported that the connection with Crawford was made; but this report was erroneous, and it was afterwards found that Crawford was full three-fourths of a mile from Hancock's right.

While these occurrences were passing, Lee had resolved to assume the offensive, and fall upon the force west of Hatcher's Run, which, isolated from that on the east side, presented a favorable opportunity for a blow. The force detached to execute this stroke consisted of the greater part of Hill's corps. It appears that it was Lee's original design to cross Hatcher's Run above Burgess's Mill, and attack Hancock's left flank; but as that officer had carried the bridge over the milldam before the Confederates were ready for their movement, and as Lee feared the Union force would cross and take the