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[553] keeping in the edge of the clearing, toward what would be the natural extension of Johnston's lines. Pushing quickly through the undergrowth, Wood rectified his formation. Coming to me about 5.30 P. M., he said: “Are the orders still to attack?” Fully believing, from a careful study of the whole position, that we had at last reached the end of Johnston's troops, I answered: “Attack!” The order was promptly obeyed. The men sprang forward and made charges and a vigorous assault. I found Johnston's front covered by strong intrenchments. A drawing back of the trenches like a traverse had deceived us. Johnston had forestalled us, and was on hand fully prepared. In the first desperate charge, Hazen's brigade was in front. R. W. Johnson's division was in echelon with Wood's, somewhat to its left. Scribner's brigade was in that front. The plan had been, though not carried out, that McLean's brigade of Schofield's command, which was the intended support on our right, should show itself clearly on open ground, attract the attention of the enemy to that part of the line, while Wood and Johnson moved upon what was supposed to be the extreme right of the Confederates' position. In this conflict Wood, the division commander, during this gloomy day met with a loss similar to mine. An officer, Major J. B. Hampson, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio, aid to General Wood, to whom he was personally greatly attached, was struck in his left shoulder by a musket ball, which broke the spine and ended his life in a few hours. He was a general
Baker and Taylor. 1908.
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