nge, so as to move his head of column direct
for the right flank of Laws's new position. Warner moved, with cavalry
in advance, to Craig's Meeting House, his left resting at Chaparral
Tavern. Sedge-wear was to join on his right, Hanscom to move from
Chancellor City to his support, and Sherlin on the left and in rear of
Hanscom.

"Early in the morning the enemy appeared in Warner's front. One regiment
of cavalry had already been hurled back. Meador had made his disposition
in accordance with Silent's instructions. Broomfleld was now crossing
the river, and Silent waiting at the ford to see him; but learning
of Laws's movement, he went forward at once to Chaparral Tavern. This
tavern was in a low place, densely surrounded with trees and underbrush.
Here Silent placed his headquarters in the rear of Warner's Corps. The
woods and chaparral were so dense in all directions that neither army
could distinguish the line of the other.

"By 9 o'clock an occasional shot could be heard, and then the rattle
of musketry, as though a company or so had discharged their pieces.
Presently a few skirmishers would come back to the main line, asserting
that the enemy were in force in our front. Then orders would be given to
advance the skirmish-line and feel for the enemy.

"About 10 o'clock a shot from the artillery of the enemy announced the
fact that he was posting for resistance. Our line at once advanced as
best it could in the direction of the enemy. The musketry opened and
continued to increase until one whole division of our troops were
engaged. The artillery opened on both sides and roared as the mighty
thunders. Musketry rattled like hail on the housetops. The enemy in
our front, Ewelling commanding, was driven in great disorder for some
distance by Griffith's division, but the underbrush was so dense that
no alignment could be made with the troops. Regiments and brigades could
not find each other. It became impossible to have any unity of action.
This same cause prevented Sedgewear from joining on Warner's right or
connecting with Griffith. This left Griffith's flank exposed, and the
rebels at once taking advantage of this, forced him back again with the
loss of some of his guns and quite a number of prisoners. The rebels
made no attempt to follow up their advantage, but began at once erecting
earthworks.

"Laws was attacked before he anticipated, although making a show of
readiness; but he was resting on ground familiar to hi