[329]
At 12 o'clock the enemy drove in the pickets of the First Division on the Dinwiddie Road, and at about 2 P. M. made a spirited advance against Miles' front, but was speedily repulsed.
A second and more vigorous attack met with a similar fate.
About this time
Hancock received a despatch from
Meade, notifying him that
Mott had been ordered to send down all his available force, and stating further that he thought the enemy was about to assume the offensive against him, or was about to interpose between him and
Warren, and giving
Hancock his option of withdrawing to his old position in rear of
Warren, or elsewhere according to his judgment.
To this, at 2.45 P. M.,
Hancock replied as follows:
Considering that the enemy intends to prevent any further destruction of the railroad, there is no great necessity of my remaining here, but it is more important that I should join Warren; but I do not think, closely engaged as I am at present, I can withdraw safely at this time.
I think it will be well to withdraw to-night.
Everything looks promising at present, except that being in an enclosed position the enemy is liable to pass between myself and Warren, and I cannot determine the fact; so that Warren had better be watchful until I can make a practicable connection with him. I shall try and keep my cavalry engaged to keep them off the Plank Road.
A few minutes past 4 o'clock
Hancock received a despatch from
Meade that
Wilcox's Division of the Ninth Corps had been ordered to the
Plank Road, where the Reams Station road branches off, and expressing the hope that
Hancock ‘will be able to give the enemy a good thrashing;’ and further stating that some of
Warren's forces are ready for contingencies.
To this, at 4.15 P. M.,
Hancock replied, deprecating that the division had not been sent down the railroad so as to be in season, and inquiring whether
