As full lines of battle could not be handled through the thick wood, I ordered the advance of the six brigades by heavy skirmish lines, to be followed by stronger supporting lines.
In a very short time the army of Northern Virginia was face to face with the Army of the Potomac.
My command, less than ten thousand, had found the battle on the Plank road in retreat, little less than a panic. In a few hours we changed defeat to victory, the broken divisions of the Third Corps rallying in their rear.
General Pickett, finding the battle broken while the enemy was still reinforcing, called the troops off.
There was no indication of panic. The broken files marched back in steady step. The effort was nobly made and failed from the blows that could not be fended.
Pickett's lines being nearer, the impact was heaviest upon them.
