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[447] with his whole division to retake the fort. Most of his troops were raw, and for the first time under fire, but they charged with great spirit and resolution, and the work was recaptured with comparatively little loss. The cross-fire of infantry and artillery prevented many of the enemy from even attempting to escape, and nineteen hundred and forty-nine were captured. The whole line was at once re-occupied, and during the following night all damage was repaired. Neither guns nor colors were lost.

This whole battle was fought by Parke, for Meade was at Grant's Headquarters, at City Point, when the first news of the attack was received; the rebels had cut the telegraphic wires, and intelligence came only by courier, so that before Meade could return to the front Fort Steadman had been recarried. Parke was senior in the trenches, and directed Wright and Warren each to move a division to the threatened point, but the assistance was not required. Parke lost seventy killed, four hundred and twenty-four wounded, and five hundred and twenty-three missing; total, one thousand and seventeen. The enemy was permitted, under a flag of truce, to carry away one hundred and twenty dead and fifteen severely wounded.

When Meade arrived on the field, he promptly ordered Wright and Humphreys to advance and feel the enemy in their respective fronts, west of Parke, but Humphreys had already advanced without orders. Then, pushing forward, the two corps carried the enemy's strongly entrenched picket line in front of their own, and captured eight hundred and thirty-four prisoners. The rebels made several desperate

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