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long; but owing to the large number of troops that were passing over this road,—it being the thoroughfare for the fighting part of the entire army,— and more especially because Gen. Meade feared an attack on the rear of the column, the Second Corps, now having the left of the line, held fast at Todd's.1 Just at dusk, while we were unharnessing, and addressing ourselves to preparations for supper, a lively succession of musketry volleys broke out in our front, and in a moment Gens. Grant and Hancock were spurring down in that direction to get at its meaning.
A line of cavalry was at once deployed to the rear to check skulkers.
We hastily replaced the harnesses, and stood awaiting orders to advance in the direction of the fighting.
The wounded men, a few of whom came by us to the rear, and the familiar music of stray minies, by no means permitted our interest in the occasion to flag.
But after awhile it became evident that our services were not to be needed, and the horses were unharnessed, for the first time in three days, and thoroughly groomed.2
During the succeeding night, a detail of our infantry were engaged in throwing up intrenchments,
1 Except Gibbon's division, which was sent forward towards Spottsylvania Court House in the afternoon.
At 5.30 P. M., when Col. Miles was returning from his reconnoissance towards Corbin's Bridge, he was attacked by Mahone's brigade of Hill's corps, which was then marching towards Spottsylvania Court House. As soon as the firing commenced on Col. Miles's front, 1 directed Gen. Barlow to send a brigade to his support. The remaining troops were held in readiness to march in the same direction if required. About this time I was informed that the enemy's infantry was also advancing on the Brock Road to attack my right. I therefore directed that Col. Miles should retire slowly toward my main line of battle at Todd's Tavern. This movement was executed with great skill and success by that officer, who, while accomplishing it, repelled two spirited attacks of the enemy, inflicting severe loss upon him. After the second repulse of the enemy, I withdrew Miles's command inside of the intrenchments at Todd's Tavern. Hancock's Official Report.
The Arakelyan press, Boston, 1909.
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