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[134] the more so that a regiment1 sent forward to support the picket-line gave way without making much if any resistance. The first blow fell upon Naglee's2 brigade, which held a position in advance of the redoubt, where it made a good fight and held the enemy in check for a considerable time, and then retired and fought with the rest of the division in the redoubt and rifle-pits—the force being strengthened by Peck's brigade sent forward by General Couch. The Confederates advanced in close columns, and suffered severely from the fire of the batteries in front of and in the redoubt. Presently, however, one of their brigades, which had been sent round on the left of Casey, gained the rear of the redoubt.3 When, therefore, a severe flank fire was opened by the force that had made this detour, the division crumbled away, the guns in the redoubt and a portion of those of the battery in front were captured,4
1 The One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania. See McClellan's Report, p. 108. But for a statement that this regiment did better than had been reported, see testimony of General Casey, in Report on the Conduct of the War, vol. i., p. 445.
2 In addition to Naglee's brigade, the position of which is given above, the other two brigades of Casey's division were posted as follows: General Wessel's brigade in the rifle-pits, and General Palmer's in rear of Wessel's. Of the artillery, one battery was in advance with Naglee; one in rear of the rifle-pits to the right of the redoubt; a third in rear of the redoubt; and a fourth, un harnessed, in the redoubt.
3 General Johnston's account of the manner in which Casey's position was carried is as follows: ‘Hill's brave troops, admirably commanded and gallantly led, forced their way through the abatis, which formed the enemy's external defences, and stormed their intrenchments by a determined and iresistible rush. Such was the manner in which the enemy's first line was carried.’ （Johnston: Official Report.) But this does not give an accurate representation of the case. Hill, who was in command of the attacking columns, says: ‘General Rains had now gained the rear of the Yankee redoubt, and opened fire on the infantry posted in the woods. I now noticed commotion in the camps and redoubts, and indications of evacuating the position. Rodes took skilful advantage of this commotion, and moved up his brigade in beautiful order, and took possession of the redoubts and rifle-pits.’ Official Reports of Battles. Richmond, 1864.
4 Among those who fell in the redoubt were, Colonel G. D. Bailey, Major Van Valkenberg, and Adjutant Ramsay, all of the First New York Artillery.
1866.
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