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[175]
On riding to the front, I directed Lawton's brigade, which was retiring, to be re-formed in the woods-Colonel Atkinson had been left in front severely wounded and he fell into the enemy's hands.
Captain E. P. Lawton, Assistant Adjutant General of the brigade, a most gallant and efficient officer, had also been left in front at the extreme point to which the brigade advanced, mortally wounded, and he likewise fell into the enemy's hands.
I discovered that Hoke had got too far to the front where he was exposed to the enemy's artillery, and also to a flank movement on his right, and I sent an order for him to retire to the original line, which he did, anticipating the order by commencing to retire before it reached him. Two of his regiments and a small battalion were left to occupy the line of the railroad where there was cover for them and his other two regiments, along with the 13th Georgia, which had not been engaged, were put in the slight trenches previously occupied by Archer's brigade.
Walker continued to hold the position on the railroad which he had taken after repulsing the enemy.
Lawton's brigade was sent to the rear for the purpose of resting and replenishing its ammunition.
Hays' brigade, which had advanced in rear of Hoke, had not become engaged, but in advancing to the front it had been exposed to a severe shelling which the enemy began, as his attacking columns were retiring in confusion before my advancing brigades.
Hays was posted in rear of Hoke for the purpose of strengthening the right in the event of another advance.
When I had discovered Lawton's brigade retiring, I sent to General D. H. Hill for reinforcements for fear that the enemy might again pass through the unprotected interval, and he sent me two brigades, but before they arrived Brigadier General Paxton, who occupied the right of Taliaferro's line, had covered the interval by promptly moving his brigade into it.
The enemy was very severely punished for this attack,
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