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fire of our artillery.
The real trouble would lie in advancing about 400 yards across the plateau to the sunken road.
There was no intervening abattis or ditch, but there were some small houses, gardens, and fences, affording some shelter, but breaking the continuity of the ranks.
These two divisions numbered about 9000 men.
The front line of the Confederate defence was held by three Ga. regiments in the sunken Telegraph road, the 18th, 24th, and Philip's legion of Cobb's brigade.
The 24th N. C. of Ransom's held an infantry trench, which extended from the Telegraph to the Plank road.
On the crest of the hill above the road were four 12-Pr.
guns, two 12-Pr.
howitzers, and three 10-Pr.
rifles, comprising the three batteries of the New Orleans Washington artillery under Col. Walton.
On the left of the Plank road were four guns of Maurin's battery, in pits, and, at Stansbury's house, Parker's battery of Alexander's battalion, with four guns, found positions during the afternoon to fire upon the enemy's right flank.
His left flank was also partially exposed to the fire of the two Parrotts on Lee's Hill.
The infantry in the sunken road and ditch numbered at the commencement of the action only about 2000; but in support behind Marye's Hill were about 7000 more, most of whom were brought into action later.
As each of the six brigades at short intervals was advanced over the crest of the plateau, it met the Confederate fire.
Kimball's brigade led, and no brigade during the day advanced farther, and but few as far. But he was wounded, and his brigade repulsed with a loss of 520 men within 20 minutes. Andrew's brigade followed, and was likewise driven back with the loss of 342.
Palmer, who came next, lost 291.
The whole loss of the division (including its artillery which fired from the edge of the town) was 1160.
About this time Ransom, seeing preparations for further attack, reinforced his line by Cooke's brigade.
The 27th N. C. took position in the sunken road, and the 15th, 46th, and 48th occupied the crest of the hill, giving a second tier of infantry fire.
The remnants of French's division, extending to right and left, took shelter in slight undulations and kept up fire both at
1907.
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