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of the 12 brigades now in his column, had formed in two lines of battle, and one of the remaining four in a third line.
Meanwhile Sickles, though now unopposed in front, had brought up Whipple's division of his own corps, and, having asked for reenforcements, had also received Barlow's brigade from the right flank of the 11th corps, Williams's division of the 12th corps, and three regiments of cavalry and some horse artillery under Pleasonton.
Posey's brigade held the left flank of Lee's line of battle in Hooker's front, while Jackson conducted the flanking movement.
Posey had a strong force of skirmishers in front, which became hotly engaged with the left flank of Sickles's advance, when it engaged Jackson's rear-guard.
While bringing up their reinforcements, the Federals made several efforts to carry Posey's position, but were always repulsed.
Sickles then planned to outflank and surround it, but he had been so slow that, before he was ready to act, Jackson had attacked, and Sickles was hastily recalled.
Otherwise there might have been a strange spectacle.
Sickles might have routed Anderson at the same time that Jackson was routing Howard.
For he was on Anderson's flank with over 20,000 infantry, a brigade of cavalry, and some horse artillery.
He wandered off, however, to the south and west, for miles, where there was no enemy before him.
Along the front of Lee's line the six brigades present of Anderson's and McLaws's divisions, aided by their artillery, had spent the day in more or less active skirmishing and cannonading with the enemy.
Where the enemy showed a disposition to advance, the Confederates were well satisfied to lie quiet and repel them, as on the left in front of Posey.
But on the Confederate right the Federal skirmish-line, under Col. Miles, being strongly posted and showing no disposition to advance, it was wise to be moderately aggressive and keep the enemy in hopes of an attack.
Kershaw and Semmes did this handsomely throughout the day, though the threat of Sickles's movements caused Lee to draw his troops to his left, and reduce his right to less than a full line.
About 6 P. M., the sun being then about one hour high, Jackson gave the signal to Rodes to move forward.
His brigades were in the following order from left to right: Iverson, O'Neal, Doles,
1907.
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