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corps of the Confederate army.
Of the movement from
Monterey to the battle-field,
Bragg says:
‘Moving from there, the command bivouacked for the night near the Meckey House, immediately in rear of Major-General Hardee's corps, Major-General Polk's being just in our rear * * * A reconnoissance in some force from the enemy made its appearance during the evening in front of General Hardee's corps, and was promptly driven back.’
The following extracts from various official reports of the battle, bear pointedly upon the question of a surprise.
General John McArthur, commanding Second Division, says:
‘We had been in line but a few moments when the enemy made their appearance and attacked my left wing.’
Colonel R. P. Buckland, Fourth Brigade,
Sherman's division, says:
‘Between six and seven o'clock on Sunday morning, I was informed that our pickets were fired upon.
I immediately gave orders for forming the brigade on the color line, which was promptly done.
About this time I was informed that the pickets were being driven in. I ordered the Forty-eighth Regiment; Colonel Sullivan, to advance in support of the pickets, which he did, but discovered that the enemy had advanced in force to the creek, about eighty to one hundred rods in front.
I immediately ordered the brigade to advance in line of battle.
We had marched about thirty to forty rods, when we discovered the enemy and opened fire upon him along the whole line, which checked his advance and caused him to fall back.’
Colonel J. R. Cockerell, commanding Seventieth Ohio, says:
‘On Sunday morning, April 6, 1862, an alarm was made in the front of this brigade, and I called my regiment from breakfast and formed it in line of battle on the color line.
I then heard heavy firing on the left and in front of our line, and advanced my regiment about two hundred paces in the woods, and formed line of battle in pursuance of your order.
I ordered my regiment to open fire, with the left thrown back, and did great execution among the enemy, who retired into the hollow.’
Colonel Hilderbrand, commanding Third Brigade,
Sherman's division, says:
‘Early on the morning of Sunday, 6th inst., our pickets were fired on, and ’
