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[676] established in the position which Custer has just vacated in the vicinity of the Howard house, determines to take the offensive—a happy inspiration, for he thereby baffles Stuart's plan at the very moment when he is about to execute it. The Confederate general, equally urged on by the sound of the combat, would like to continue his movement with the brigades of Chambliss and Jenkins under the shelter of Cress' Ridge, while Hampton and Lee detain the enemy north of the Hanover road. McIntosh, in advancing upon Rummel's farm, has obliged these two last-mentioned brigades to deploy in order to hold him in check. General Lee is in command of both, while Hampton is vainly endeavoring to join Stuart. He has placed his dismounted troopers behind a strong fence. His artillery unmasks, and McIntosh stops, soon realizing the fact that he has to contend with too strong a force. Gregg, summoned in haste, meets Custer, and brings him back to the aid of his first brigade. Irvin Gregg, posted a considerable distance off, reaches the cross-roads a little later, and remains in reserve. Custer could not arrive more opportunely with his four splendid Michigan regiments. Stuart has seen them from a distance. Finding the enemy's forces, which are massing on his flank, increasing, he determines to send Jenkins' brigade against them, retaining only that of Chambliss to continue his movement. The sole object of this movement, however, is now limited to the task of turning the left flank of the Union cavalry in order to assure its defeat: he is, in fact, obliged to begin by fighting it before striking the rear of the Army of the Potomac. In the mean time, Gregg is preparing to attack the Confederates, although the latter, posted along the slopes of Cress' Ridge and within the enclosures of the Rummel farm-buildings, have every advantage of position. Two of Custer's regiments, the Fifth and Sixth Michigan, reinforce McIntosh's line, which rests to the right on the woods situated along the Dutch road, and, to the left, on the Hanover road: the other two regiments are kept in reserve. The artillery is posted on the hill near the Howard house, and opens fire upon the Rummel farm-buildings, occupied by Fitzhugh Lee's skirmishers. Lee, who has vainly tried to
Philadelphia, Jos. H. Coates and co., 1883.
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