‘Again orders were received in writing to move across to the Williamsburg road, following country roads and paths through woods and fields, a guide being furnished to conduct the command. The intervening distance between the two roads was low and flat, and in many places covered with water, at one point waist deep. The march was of necessity very slow. It was about 5 P. M. when the head of the column reached the Williamsburg road.’It was at this time that the 11th Ala. and 19th Miss. of Wilcox's brigade were sent into the action, as has already been told. Later, these brigades with the others of Longstreet and Huger, which were brought up, relieved the troops which had been so heavily engaged. So terminated what should properly be called ‘D. H. Hill's Battle,’ for the whole, as we shall see, embraced three minor battles, at different times and places, and under different commanders. Hill's battle was fought principally against Keyes's corps; and we have seen that Couch with four regiments and a battery retreated northward toward the Chickahominy. Here he soon found friends. Sumner's corps on the north side of the river had been formed about 1 P. M., and moved toward two recently constructed roadways and bridges across the Chickahominy. At 2.30 P. M. orders to cross were received, and Sumner, having two roads, was able to cross quite rapidly. The river was high and rising, and by nightfall and until next morning the stream was impassable. Now we enter upon the second, which may be called ‘Johnston's Battle.’ It has been told how his original plans were destroyed by Longstreet's taking his division to the Williamsburg road. It must have been near eleven o'clock when Johnston learned where Longstreet was, and realized that it was too late to get the troops back for that day. He hesitated whether to wait and prepare for the morrow or to go on, and unfortunately decided to let it go on. He took no measures to supply the
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again reversed his direction.
He was now to follow down the Charles City road, keeping abreast of the firing which was heavy.
And soon a fifth order came, of which Wilcox writes in his report: —
1907.
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