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lost in prisoners alone more than that number.
His killed and wounded, Lee, as usual, failed to report.1
This whole movement, it has been shown, was based on the belief that Lee's entrenchments extended only to the crossing of Hatcher's run by the Boydton road.
But when, instead of this, they were found to stretch several miles to the south, covering the lower crossings of the run, and defended by slashing and abatis, while the stream itself was impeded by fallen timber and other obstructions,—the extension was seen to be impracticable, and the operation was converted into a reconnoissance in force.
It was the only movement of the army of the Potomac, after the explosion of Burnside's mine, which did not result in a positive and tangible success.
The rebel works, however, had been constructed in advance, and were only occupied when the national army moved.
Covered as they were by cavalry,
1 On the 27th, Lee sent the following despatch, which was withheld from print, and has not found its way into any rebel history: ‘General Hill reports that the enemy crossed Rowanty creek below Burgess's mill, and forced back the cavalry. In the afternoon General Heth attacked and at first drove them, but found them in too strong force. Afterwards the enemy attacked and were repulsed. They still hold the plank road at Burgess's mill. Heth took colors and some prisoners.’ The despatch given by McCabe and other rebel writers is not on file at Washington.
New York Appleton 1885.
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