George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Major-General United States Army
George Gordon Meade, Ed.

A sharp fight followed between these regiments and Pender's, the

Seventh Michigan soon falling back and disappearing. The Twentieth Massachusetts, in danger of being flanked on the left, at the same time received so hot a fire on the right, undoubtedly from Field's men retiring, that its right wing had to be drawn back. It now found itself apparently alone, and under a heavy fire from both Field and Pender. It then withdrew to the edge of the woods just in rear, where they reformed their line; they were also joined here by the fragments of McCall's centre under command of Colonel Roberts. The engagement continued hotly, the enemy turning one or two of Cooper's guns on this small force. This regiment, the Twentieth Massachusetts, after it grew dark withdrew and rejoined its own division. Shortly after this Meagher's brigade suddenly appeared, sent to the assistance of this part of the field, and Colonel Roberts thus being formally relieved, moved off to the rear with the remnants of his regiments. Some sharp firing took place between Meagher's troops and the opposing enemy. The Federals, however, held their ground and soon after all firing ceased.

On the other side of the New Market Road, in front of Meade, Field's two regiments, the Forty-seventh and the Second Virginia, charging across the open field, reached Randol's guns, and after a severe fight, swept back the force of Meade that had retaken the battery from Wilcox. It was now dusk. Thompson's battery, on Kearney's left, swept the ground occupied by Field's two regiments, which, subjected also to a sharp musketry fire from the woods on their right and front, and having lost heavily in previous efforts, desisted from further attempt to advance and fell back under cover of the woods to the New Market Road. Unable to carry off the abandoned guns, they remained as they were on the field.

Thompson, who had been engaged all day and had done good service, at last found himself out of ammunition, with his battery much injured. At about half-past 7 o'clock he received orders to withdraw, which movement was accomplished under cover of infantry fire, but not without the loss of one gun, the horses of which being shot, it was left on the field. Indications of a renewed advance of the enemy being apparent soon after Thompson's retirement, a section of the First Rhode Island Artillery, under Lieutenant Jastram, was brought up and occupied for a short time part of the ground which had been held by Thompson. It was, however, soon compelled to retire, also leaving one of its guns on the field.