Oliver Otis Howard, Autobiography of Oliver Otis Howard, major general , United States army : volume 1

Meanwhile, early on June 18th our batteries were put under cover on the hills in front of Hardee's salient angle. This angle was in front of Palmer's and my corps, so that our guns, which we had located the preceding day, could play with an enfilading fire upon the Confederate works. After some cannonading, seeing the evident intention of a further movement to the rear, I thrust Newton's and Wood's divisions into action early in the day; charging with great vigor, they captured the works in their front, taking about 100 prisoners.

Confederate efforts by countercharges and battery firing were made to delay our advance, but all attempts were frustrated and the enemy each time repulsed. The brigade of the enterprising Harker already held the intrenchments which he had captured, and seeing the great advantage of securing them, I hurried in the whole of Newton's division.

The situation then was such that Johnston could no longer delay his retrograde movement.

Just before Johnston left Muddy Creek, Sherman declared: “His” (Johnston's) “left was his weak point so long as he acted on the ‘ defensive’ ; whereas, had he designed to contract the extent of his line for the purpose of getting in a reserve force with which to strike ‘ offensively’ from his right, he would have done a wise act, and!” （Sherman) “was compelled to presume that such was his object.”

On the afternoon of the 20th, Kirby's brigade of Stanley's division was holding “Bald Knob,” a prominent knoll in our front. The Confederates, using artillery