Gaines' Mill Timings

[67th Tigers]

Where Did DH Hill's Division Fight?

Let me state outright that Krick's recent book is completely inconsistent with the reports etc. for DH Hill's division. It seems there was no attack into the McGhee field at all, since the troops and artillery there all report holding their positions until sundown, and then withdrawing to the next hill because the caissons were empty. DH Hill's attack is in the centre and centre-left of the Federal line, linked in with Jackson's troops.

Timing-wise, DH Hill's attack is consistently timed at half-an-hour before sunset. It appears to be roughly at the time Hood penetrated the line, as the advance is under artillery fire as it starts, but the fire is checked by the collapse of the Federal position. DH Hill's right ends up attack the batteries at the Watt House. After dark, sources suggest DH Hill moved into the McGhee field and bivouacked there, with him sleeping in one of the houses on the McGhee farm.

As a note, when Garland and GB Anderson find a line oblique to their axis, it is when they are approaching New Cold Harbor and are near Powhite Creek. Garland states it was impractical to move into that space. Later they move back to then left towards Old Cold Harbor.

We have casualty reports for three of the brigades broken down by battle. The K:W ratio is also diagnostic of whether they were in a close infantry engagement or not. At Gaines Mill:

• Rodes' Brigade had only minor casualties on the level of being bombarded except the 5th AL (66 with a lot of killed, including the colonel) indicating that it alone was in close action. The 26th AL also was significant casualties, but the K:W ratio shows they didn't assault. In fact, the 5th AL, supported by the 26th AL.
• Colquitt's Brigade isn't very heavily engaged, but the 6th GA (156) and 27th GA (86) were clearly at the front whereas the rest where in the rear. The K:W ratio suggests a firefight rather than an assault.
• Ripley's Brigade we know were not in an infantry fight, and have only minor casualties (69) from bombardment.

The brigades on the right, who did the bulk of the fighting, are not broken down.

Ripley's brigade ended up being the left flanker. The 44th GA and wing of the 1st NC had been dropped off to protect the Chickahominy Bridges, and Ripley only had the 48th GA, 3rd NC and a wing of the 1st NC at the battle. Rhett's Battery was detached from the brigade when they reached New Cold Harbor. However, he was ordered to detach the 48th GA to support "RH Anderson" (probably GB Anderson), and 3 companies of the 3rd NC were left behind during the march over to the left flank. Ripley thus had two partial-regiments (1st NC and 7 coys of the 3rd NC under the Col) and took position in some woods out on the left flank to defend that flank, and did not make an attack that day. Garland's report shows the missing 3 coys of the 3rd NC ended up on his left, and he took command of them and one of Rodes' regiments. However, the Lt Col commanding the 3 coys says they were not engaged.

Colquitt's brigade has no report in the OR, although DH Hill notes that only 2 regts (6th GA and 27th GA) actually advanced to the front, with the balance remaining in the rear during the redeployment. Rodes indicates they moved to the right and took position on GB Anderson's right.

Rodes' brigade was disrupted as they wheeled east, and GB Anderson's brigade, which was in the inside track ended up ahead of them. Three of Rodes' regiments (5th, 12th and 26th AL) ended up behind GB Anderson's brigade and were not engaged. The 3rd and 6th AL were beyond GB Anderson's brigade. Rodes states that he asked Colquitt to come up on GB Anderson's right, and ordered the 3rd and 6th AL to support them. The movement to the skirt of woods was under artillery fire, and they waited there until half an hour before sunset before commencing their attack. The 3rd and 6th were not engaged. The attack was the 12th and 5th, supported by the 26th. The 12th was isolated during the attack at the end of the day, and pulled back, unengaged. The 5th AL charged a battery, supported by the 26th. This appears to be the batteries near the Watt House.

GB Anderson has no report. Others indicate they ended up between Rodes and Colquitt

Garland (4 regts, the 23rd NC was left behind on pickett back at their camp) gives us a paragraph on the action at New Cold Harbor. The division then does a change of direction on Garland's left battalion, and the troops go front-to-back with the order of the line reversing. During this, they hear the sounds of AP Hill's attack at their old position at New Cold Harbor, placing this in the 1600-1700 timeframe. The advance has them clearing the skirt of woods the division was in, and advancing across the open ground under artillery fire which was checked by the collapse of the line. His is advance is checked by the Federals making a stand, but they soon retreat. Garland is now connected with Hood and Winder, and there is are batteries to his left near a house (the Watt House). The last act of the battle is he sends the 20th NC of his bde and the 5th AL of Rodes to charge these batteries. Note these are to his left, indicating Garland's attack in the middle of Morell's front.

For the attack, the forces used are, right to left:

Garland's 4 regts; 5th, 12th, 13th and 20th NC.
3 coys of the 3rd NC from Ripley, who didn't advance
Rodes (-); 5th, 12th and 26th AL (12th didn't advance or got isolated and decided better of it)
GB Anderson; 4th and 30th NC in front, supported by the 2nd and 14th NC
Colquitt (-); 6th and 27th GA, supported by the 48th GA from Ripley

Thus DH Hill's attack was only 11 or 12 regts strong, depending on the counting.

 

[Ben Ford 987]

AP Hill's Grand Division

The rebel attacks begin with Gregg attacking Warren's brigade. AP Hill says he was waiting to hear from Longstreet, and at 1430 he did, and ordered an attack, which developed slowly from his left to right, lasting two hours before Ewell came up. AP Hill's command was (left to right) Gregg, Branch, JR Anderson, Field and then Archer, with Pender as his reserve brigade. AP Hill says Longstreet came up on his right at 1600,* and he received reinforcements from Jackson (i.e. Ewell's division) later, and was relieved from the line. He times the order for the general assault at 1900, after Whitting's attack and Hood's break-in.

* Reports from within Longstreet's grand division confirm the vanguard of this command reached Gaines' Mill about this time.

Gregg says the bridge over the Powhite was complete just before 1400, and at 1430 he was ordered by AP Hill to wait for the whole of the grand division to be up before attacking, and they made an attack at 1600. Barnes of the 12th SC reported the attack at close to 1700, but states it was a guess. Edwards of the 13th SC gave precise timings, with the brigade halting at 1440 before the enemy, and being held to cover the retreat of the three attacking regts (1st SC, 12th SC and 1st SC Rifles) which happened after. The 14th SC wasn't with the brigade, being left in camp on the 25th and reached the field late, never rejoining the brigade. Marshall of the 1st SC Rifles says he reached Cold Harbor about 1400, waited two hours and the attack started about 1600.

Branch gives no timings, but reports finding the enemy in front of the works whilst moving to form astride the road right of Gregg (note this isn't where some maps place him). Heywood of the 7th NC places this as between 1500 and 1600. Cowan of the 18th NC states they were put in at 1600. Hoke of the 33rd NC reported reaching the position at 1600 and the forward regiments were engaged. Barbour of the 37th NC simply stated he was ordered forward to engaged in the "evening."

Field reported being ordered to form next to JR Anderson about 1400. JR Anderson gives no timings, and nor does Archer. Pender says he was in reserve (having been the lead on forcing the Powhite) and went to support Gregg, but gives no timings.

Generally, it appears the major fighting didn't start until close to 1600, which is consistent with reports from Lovell's and Warren's brigades, which received the first attack. Buchanan's brigade and it's battalions report a much earlier start of 1100-1200, but it appears they were the rearguard disputing the Powhite, and start the beginning of the action from AP Hill reaching the Powhite.

Given that Newton's brigade was started at 1400 and the rest of Slocum's at 1430, with them arriving ca. 1500-1600, it appears Slocum's division was already on the field before AP Hill began the affair. It looks like the forcing of the Powhite caused them to be sent.

TBC

Can any of y'all summarize the activities of the 16th Mississippi Infantry at Gaines Mill?
They had very few casualties, but were engaged somehow. Supposedly they made a charge with the 21st North Carolina.
I don't have a basic idea of how the battle took place. Or how this charges fits in.
One of the few killed was a teenaged collateral relative of mine.
I apologize for asking such an elementary question when you guys are discussing details on the "genius" level.

 

[RedRover]

Can any of y'all summarize the activities of the 16th Mississippi Infantry at Gaines Mill?
They had very few casualties, but were engaged somehow. Supposedly they made a charge with the 21st North Carolina.
I don't have a basic idea of how the battle took place. Or how this charges fits in.
One of the few killed was a teenaged collateral relative of mine.
I apologize for asking such an elementary question when you guys are discussing details on the "genius" level.

David Holt of Company K, 16th Mississippi, gives an account of the regiment, in "A Mississippi rebel in the Army of Northern Virginia : the Civil War memoirs of Private David Holt with a new appendix of excerpts from his 1865 diary." He mentions many casualties, and the horrible sights on the battlefield, but he was not present on the day of the action.

The 16th Miss. was a part of General Trimble's Seventh Brigade, Ewell's Third Division, of Jackson's Army of the Valley.

General Trimble's report says the 16th Mississippi was engaged at Gaines Mill, and made a significant assault, though the casualties were less where they were positioned.

Ewell's Division position in the action is given on this Confederate map as point R:

General Ewell reported...

....

 

[67th Tigers]

The 16th MS were part of Trimble's brigade that got separated from the brigade, along with the 21st NC and Wharton's sharpshooters. Trimble attacked with the rest of his brigade (15th AL and 21st GA) against the central woods. They attacked on the left of Seymours LA bde, and were heavily engaged. They went in about 1730. Unable to make progress they took cover and exchanged fire the the Federals for 1.5 hours.

About 1830,Trimble returned to the Parson's House and located his wayward regiments. However, this appears to be coincident with Whiting's division and Lawton's brigade arriving. Trimble reported he suggested to Whiting that the Confederate attack on the centre was too concentrated, and he should extend the line to their right. Ultimately, it was this extension to the right that cracked the Federal position. Winder was also arriving (Lawton's brigade was with him, his brigade still wasn't up), and he suggested Winder reinforce Elzey (i.e. against Warren's Hill). Winder sent Lawton to the left.

Trimble then led the 16th MS and 21st NC to reunite his brigade. It's likely he intended to relieve the shattered 15th AL and 21st GA. Around this time the Federal line started to collapse. Trimble charged his brigade over the creek and up the ridge, with the 16th MS and 21st NC as his second line. The 16th MS encountered an enemy force (maybe the 4 coys of the 2nd NJ) near the top of the ridge, who gave them two volleys before retreating. Reaching the captured guns at the Watt House, the 21st NC was placed in charge of them.

 

[Ben Ford 987]

The 16th MS were part of Trimble's brigade that got separated from the brigade, along with the 21st NC and Wharton's sharpshooters. Trimble attacked with the rest of his brigade (15th AL and 21st GA) against the central woods. They attacked on the left of Seymours LA bde, and were heavily engaged. They went in about 1730. Unable to make progress they took cover and exchanged fire the the Federals for 1.5 hours.

About 1830,Trimble returned to the Parson's House and located his wayward regiments. However, this appears to be coincident with Whiting's division and Lawton's brigade arriving. Trimble reported he suggested to Whiting that the Confederate attack on the centre was too concentrated, and he should extend the line to their right. Ultimately, it was this extension to the right that cracked the Federal position. Winder was also arriving (Lawton's brigade was with him, his brigade still wasn't up), and he suggested Winder reinforce Elzey (i.e. against Warren's Hill). Winder sent Lawton to the left.

Trimble then led the 16th MS and 21st NC to reunite his brigade. It's likely he intended to relieve the shattered 15th AL and 21st GA. Around this time the Federal line started to collapse. Trimble charged his brigade over the creek and up the ridge, with the 16th MS and 21st NC as his second line. The 16th MS encountered an enemy force (maybe the 4 coys of the 2nd NJ) near the top of the ridge, who gave them two volleys before retreating. Reaching the captured guns at the Watt House, the 21st NC was placed in charge of them.

Thanks. That really helps

 

[67th Tigers]

1730-1830

Essentially all the fighting in this period is across the front initially held by Griffin and Warren. That is the Central Woods, the section of the creek to the west of it, and the hill to the east of it (Warren's Hill). It is basically a brutal slogging match, with both sides shooting at each other from what cover is available.

Towards the end of this period, Whiting's division and Lawton's brigade have reached the Parson's House. At Trimble's suggestion, they go in to the right and left of the main combat respectively.

About 1830, Whiting's division advances and engages Martindale's brigade along the creek with Law's brigade. To Law's left is Hood's brigade, but there is already fighting there and only his first line (1st and 5th TX, and the Hampton Legion infantry) can fit in and become engaged. The 4th TX and 18th GA are left in reserve for now.

Lawton's brigade went into the eastern half of the Central Woods and essentially relieved Elzey's brigade (under Walker) which had been shattered in an attritional firefight with the Federals (principally Reynold's command of the PA reserves). In the process, he lost connection with his two left-hand regiments (31st and 38th GA) and advanced into the contact with only the four he had control over (13th, 26th, 60th and 61st GA).

About 1830, Whiting's and Lawton's troops are probably just about coming into contact.

In DH Hill's division there has been a lot of stop-start, with orders to advance quickly countermanded etc., but they still haven't moved. Longstreet hasn't made a serious movement yet, but he will move to extend Whitings line to the right soon.

On the Federal side, French and Meagher are probably now on the field, to the south of the McGhee House. However, by this point Porter's gotten "tunnelled in" on the fighting in the centre, and has lost track of what was happening. Slocum has left the field due to sickness. McCall is also micromanaging movements in the centre. Sykes is commanding on the unengaged right flank. Morell is nominally commanding the left flank, but he too had gotten sucked into micromanaging the centre. One of the principal causes of the coming disaster is that the senior leadership on the field thought the left was so strong it didn't need supervising, and they left it to attend to itself. No-one was watching whether cracks formed, and indeed the eventual crack was at the junction of the two brigades on the left...

 

[67th Tigers]

1830-1930

In this period, the collapse of the Federals starts. The rebels have extended their line across Martindale's front primarily with Law's brigade and some of Hood's brigade. Two of Hood's regiments are in the rear, and will be used at the end of this period.

At Warren's Hill, rebel pressure (Lawton's attack) starts to tell. Around 1900 the Federals start giving way. Lovell's brigade is out of ammunition, and withdraws in the 1900-1930 window. On their right, the 12th and 14th US also withdraw. The regiments of Pennsylvania Reserves under Reynolds also pull back. The rebels capture a section of Edward's Battery, but Bartlett's brigade promptly counterattacks and regains it.

At the same time Whiting moved forward, Longstreet finally advanced. Pickett's brigade was on the left, and Wilcox's brigade on the right. They struck Butterfield's brigade on the far left of the Federal line, and were badly repulsed.

The important thing to note is that Pickett and Wilcox are occupying Butterfield's attention, and Whiting is occupying Martindale's attention. Morell is right over on the right of his division, ignoring the left. No-one is coordinating things. Hood has led two of his regiments (4th TX and 18th GA) from the left of Whiting's division to its' right, and the gap between Law's brigade and Pickett's brigade. He has the 4th TX in front, with the 18th GA as support, and orders them to charge the line there without firing. Probably by complete coincidence he's targetted a reentrant at the join between Butterfield's and Martindale's brigades. There was no opposition, and the smoke of the firing likely hide them from observation. The 4th TX charges, is not met by any opposition, and penetrates the Federal position, ascending the reentrant.

Let me now note the wikipedia etc. maps are wrong. Martindale's brigade was three up, two back. Regiments were rotating back and forth as they used up ammunition. By this point, the front line was (left to right) 1st Michigan, 25th NY and 13th NY. The 22nd Massachusetts and 2nd Maine formed the supporting line.

The 1st Michigan, with the enemy in their rear, panicked and routed, carrying away their support (the right wing of the 12th NY). With them running, the left flank of the next regiment, the 25th NY was exposed and they also panicked and ran. The 1st Michigan and 25th NY could not be rallied in the second line (although theier CO's tried) The 13th NY reported falling back on the 22nd Massachusetts (the support, which had built a breastwork atop the ridge), but they were out of ammunition, and their commander ordered them to retreat further. The 22nd Massachusetts made a brief stand, but when their CO was shot (the major), the senior captain ordered a retreat. The 2nd Maine did not run. They reported supporting the right-hand battery of the artillery near the Watt House during the next phase, which appears creditable.

At the rear of Jackson's column is Winder's division. They get badly lost, and only Winder's brigade reaches the Parsons Field ca. 1900.

About 1930, with the Federal left (Martindale) and right (Lovell and Reynolds at Warren's Hill) observed to be collapsing, Lee orders a general assault with everything to hand against the woods in the Federal centre. The bulk of this force will be DH Hill's grand division, with some regiments from Winder, Lawton etc.

 

[nc native]

The charge of Wilcox's and Pickett's brigades was watched by Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee. This effort was not successful but later in the battle, Pickett's brigade would charge again with more success. I'll let you give the narrative 67th Tigers, you have done a splendid job so far.

 

[67th Tigers]

For future reference, according to the History of Gregg's Brigade, 854 of the brigades casualties in the Seven Days were sustained assaulting Warren's Hill ca. 1600-1700 on the 27th.

 

[67th Tigers]

The charge of Wilcox's and Pickett's brigades was watched by Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee. This effort was not successful but later in the battle, Pickett's brigade would charge again with more success. I'll let you give the narrative 67th Tigers, you have done a splendid job so far.

The 83rd PA and 44th NY basically became an isolated island with the collapse of the left. Wilcox will be relieved by Fulkerson's brigade of Winder's division, which got very lost, and Pickett's brigade will get reinforced with a couple of regiments from RH Anderson's brigade under Jenkins. They will push these two regiments off their position, capture a battery or so, and repel a cavalry charge.

I think it's important to note the captured Federal guns are thus (west to east):

• Five guns of Weeden's and Allen's/Hyde's batteries captured by Pickett et al. on the western side of the ridge as a group, with three more lost whilst retreating and captured individually. This is where the cavalry charge happened.
• Seven guns of Easton's (4), Kerns' (2) and de Hart's (1) were captured near the Watt House by Garland etc. de Hart lost two guns, and the other was probably lost off the firing position.
• Hexamer abandoned a gun due to the team being lost. He was engaged against the Central Woods, saw the Federal abandon it, and the rebels emerge in pursuit, and then received a sudden volley from the left from troops he hadn't seen, but who had taken the battery to their left. That team was downed, so he limbered up the other five guns and withdrew.
• Two guns of Edward's battery were captured, recaptured and re-recaptured after abandonment at Warren's Hill.
• The other three broke down during the retreat.

 

[67th Tigers]

There are some oddities in the geometry of the attack on the left, and I now think that Pickett ended up behind Pryor's front line, and threw Pryor's supporting line (3rd VA and 2nd FL) into disorder by marching through them as they were forming, knocking them out of the fight. The positions I get are roughly:

Note Butterfield and Martindale both only have one section of artillery, and Easton, Kerns and de Hart are actually on the southern slope and have arcs protecting a left turning movement, rather than against an infantry assault. Note Robinson's horse battery, which shredded Wilcox.

 

[67th Tigers]

Rebel Artillery

One question is how involved was the rebel artillery? This is very germane to the fighting on the left (i.e. Lovell etc.) because the rebels appear to have won fire superiority there, and it was artillery rather than infantry that appears to have done a lot of the killing.

AP Hill's Grand Division

AP Hill's report says four batteries (Crenshaw, Johnson, Braxton and Pegram) were actively engaged.

Andrews', Crenshaw's and Davidson's batteries are grouped with Penders brigade in the casualty list. Andrews' battery and a section of Bachman's shelled the enemy at the Powhite, but maybe wasn't further engaged. Crenshaw's report says he went into battery near New Cold Harbor at a gap in the woods just big enough to accomodate his battery. He shelled the infantry on the hill opposite (Warren?) for two hours before they had no targets and pulled back into cover. After 45 mins the enemy reappeared on the hill, and the battery reopened, quickly scattering the infantry. This continued for an hour before the 4-gun battery was out-of-action due to two guns breaking axles, and two being too hot. Johnon's battery replaced them. Gregg's report says he put Crenshaw into battery near the brow of a hill near New Cold Harbor, and they opened about 1430. During the attack on Warren, the 14th SC reached Gregg, and he checked Crenshaws fire to allow for the passage of lines by the 14th SC. Gregg praises Crenshaw, noting the replacement with Davidson, but Davidson is engaged with three batteries and under sharpshooter fire (the US Sharpshooters were in that area and had skirmishers over the creek). After 20 mins is forced to check fire due to heavy casualties. At a later point, McIntosh's battery arrived and a section replaces Davidson. They open about sunset (1930?), but are not replied to. Johnson's report confirms they were under sharpshooter fire.

Braxton's was the battery of Archer's Brigade, and are hardly mentioned. They received no casualties.

Pegram's was the battery of Field's Brigade. However, they had all four guns knocked out at Beaver Dam Creek and had 60 casualties. They appear to have been used as infantry at Gaines Mill.

DH Hill's Grand Division

Bondurant's, Rhett's, Clark's and Peyton's (under Fry). Bondurant's battery reached New Cold Harbor on the left flank of DH Hill as they swept in to attack the Federals at Powhite Creek. Finding the enemy were at Boatswain's Creek instead, Bondurant was put into battery and swiftly battered to pieces. Rhett replaced him and also suffered. HP Jones notes Clark and Fry were ready to replace Bondurant and Rhett during that period, and then established a firing position on Rhett's right. When the infantry to their front got out of the way, they silenced a battery during the first attack. Rhett's report places the firing position as on the "road that passes east of the Gaines' Farm," and in context that's the road through Gaines Mill to New Cold Harbor that forks right towards the McGhee farm.

Jackson's Grand Division and Horse Artillery

Brockenbrough's, Courtney's and Carrington's. These were the only batteries of the formation that reached the field, and all three were put into battery on the left (to the left of the infantry), along with Pelham's horse artillery quite late in the battle. Crutchfield's report has Courtney's battery protecting Ewell's flank as he moved to attack, in case the Federals turned his left, but they remained unengaged. The batteries could not traverse the swamp and had to stick to the road to Old Cold Harbor during this move. After they went into action they obtained fire superiority. They were able to advance the batteries by half-battery, firing and maneouvring.

Jackson places his engaged artillery at the later stage as 30 guns (inc. Pelham). It's likely this is (right to left-ish) Clark, Fry, Rhett, Brockenbrough, Courtney, Carrington and Pelham (7 batteries), all firing against the Federal right (Lovell etc.). It was this concentration of artillery that seems to have driven back the Federal right, rather than any infantry assault.

Earlier in the day, Stuart's cavalry reached Old Cold Harbor and one Blakley rifle of Pelham (his only rifle, the rest were 12 pdr howitzers) was advanced to duel with Weed around 1200-1300, but it was knocked out. This action is often wrongly conflated with Bondrurant's bombardment.

Longstreet's Grand Division

Maurin's battery was put into battery at the Gaines House to shell out the enemy on Powhite Creek, but the heavy guns at Goldings were so dangerous that Longstreet's guns were kept in cover and not used.

 

[67th Tigers]

A very rough map of the situation just prior to the break-in:

You will note DH Hill is placed a mile west of most maps, because this is an old error made by Sneden and carried through uncritically.

 

[nc native]

A very rough map of the situation just prior to the break-in:

View attachment 574608


You will note DH Hill is placed a mile west of most maps, because this is an old error made by Sneden and carried through uncritically.

Thank you very much for that map. It helps explain conflicting accounts about which troops were the ones that broke Porter's lines at Gaines Mill. The Official Records gives credit to the 18th Virginia of Pickett's Brigade for penetrating the defenses while other books and histories give credit to Hood's Brigade. Since both of these units were in close proximity to each other during the charge that broke through the Union left, Pickett's brigade in their second charge of the day and the Texans of Hood's Brigade could have gotten intermingled and both received the credit that was due for this feat.

I have got to get Krick's new book on this battle since I have been very interested in it since finding out that one of my direct ancestors was wounded in the fighting. James Peyton Glenn was a Second Lieutenant with Company D of the 18th Virginia at the time and he had the top portion of one of his ears shot off during the battle. Family stories claim that if he had not turned his head to talk to one of his fellow officers during the battle, the mini ball would have hit him between the eyes. This is a lot like what happened during Donald Trump's attempted assassination during the 2024 Presidential Campaign.

 

[67th Tigers]

As best I can tell, Pickett's brigade forced their way over after the 4th Texas penetrated the line. The regiment opposite them pulled back a bit, allowing them to got over the ravine. They captured a section of Hyde's battery, which was in a firing position amongst Butterfield's brigade. They were then approaching Easton et al.'s battery and were exposed to the cavalry charge (which wasn't pressed, no bayonets and sabres crossed), and likely ended up capturing some of the guns there.

There was a fierce rivalry between some of Whiting's and Pickett's men about who did it, and it was probably both.

 

[67th Tigers]

A Note on Lawton

Rereading the reports from and about Lawton, I have to correct myself a bit.

The approach march to the field was apparently done in column of fours across the field. As they reached the field the brigade formed a single line, assumidly by left-facing and wheeling. In this, the rear/ left regiments disconnected, and they (the 31st and 38th GA) fought separately from the other four, who were in a single line. Even this Lawton couldn't control.

The centre of Lawton's line included the 60th GA, and they fought the New Jersey Brigade, with the 1st likely to their front, and the 4th to their right.

The 13th GA replaced one of Seymour's LA regts, and were later supported by Trimble's 16th MS, again putting them roughly in front of the NJ Bde.

The 31st and 38th GA were further to the left, and fought the regulars, but it looks like they were at the area of Warren's and Regular's Hill as one author names them.

There is nothing from the 61st, and nothing useful from the 26th, but they would be in front of the NJ Bde etc.

Winder mentions the 38th. They were near his brigade, and he gives his attacking force as:

• 33rd VA
• 27th VA
• 4th VA
• Irish Bn (1st VA Bn)
• 2nd VA (from supporting bty on their left)
• 5th VA (ditto)

and further describes the troops they encountered at the front:

• Hampton's Legion
• 1st MD (Ewell's division)
• 12th AL (Rodes, got separated from the 5th and 26th AL during Rodes attack, implying this is after Rodes' advance, and his advance went into this area)
• 52nd VA (Elzey/Walker, was supporting a bty)
• 38th GA (and 31st, although not mentioned)

Winder then describes slowly pushing back the force in front of him (i.e. Bartlett's bde and atts) and reaching the McGehee House about 2100, having driven the enemy 300 yds beyond it (i.e. to the next hill beyond).

PS: In a brilliant display of how information gets distorted through multiple reports, Winder reported to Jackson that he'd driven the enemy to 300 yds beyond the McGehee House, and Jackson reported Winder had driven the enemy from a position 300 yds beyond the McGehee House