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[533] Vaughan road, the ___location of which at that point was unknown to the Union officers. It first fell upon the Maryland brigade, which was marching by the flank to cover Ayres' left. The result was that in a few minutes this brigade gave way, thus compelling Ayres' left to fall back, and stopping the advance on the right. About two hundred of the Marylanders were taken prisoners: the remainder retired under cover of the Fifteenth New York Heavy Artillery, which, standing firmly, poured rapid volleys into the enemy, driving him speedily back. This action cost a loss of a thousand men, killed, wounded, and prisoners. But it still left Warren in possession of the prize—the Weldon Railroad. Here he immediately began intrenching a position. The possession of this line was not to Lee a matter of vital importance, but still of very great importance.1 He, therefore, determined at all hazards to dislodge the intruding force. The body of Confederates met by Warren had not exceeded a division; but Lee immediately strengthened it by powerful re-enforcements, and on the following afternoon (the 19th), made a sudden irruption on the right flank of the Union position. General Warren had directed Brigadier-General Bragg to establish, by means of his brigade, a connection of skirmishers on the shortest line between the right of his corps and the left of the army then resting across the Jerusalem plankroad. This order General Bragg did not execute, but took up another line a mile or more to the rear.2 On learning this error, General Warren instructed the brigadier
1 General Lee, from the time of first reaching Petersburg, never expected to be able long to hold the Weldon Railroad; and four days after his arrival, he sent a warning to the Richmond authorities to prepare to supply his army by the Danville line alone. The reply was, that they hoped he would do all he could to hold the Weldon road. To this he answered, that of course he would do all he could to hold it, but that he had little faith in his ability to do so. The failure of the Confederate authorities to make any provisions in accordance with his admonition was probably the cause of the desperate assaults he made to dislodge Warren.
1866.
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