the charge. They had not fired as they
advanced. The division retired a short distance, where it was
halted and promptly faced about. In less than five minutes it was
again charging the Confederate left centre. The right of Getty's
division and Wheaton's left went forward with the second charge,
and an advance position in close rifle range of the enemy was gained
and held. My division was partly protected by a stone fence located
on the north of an open field, while the Confederates held the
farther side of the field, about three hundred yards distant, and
were also protected by a stone fence as well as by some temporary
breastworks. The enemy occupied the higher ground, and the field
was lower in the centre than on either side. The battle here was
obstinate and, for a time, promised to extend into the night.
Early's artillery in my front did little execution, as it was
located on the crest of the hills behind his infantry line, and
the gunners, when they undertook to work their guns, were exposed
to our infantry fire. Wheaton's division and that part of the
Nineteenth Corps to his right, though not keeping pace with the
centre, steadily gained ground; likewise the cavalry. Getty, though
under orders to hold his left on the pike, moved his division
forward slowly, making a left half wheel. In this movement Getty's
left reached Middletown, and his right swung somewhat past it on
the west.

Merritt's cavalry pushed around east of Middletown. At this
juncture, Kershaw's division and part of Gordon's division were in
front of my right and part of Ramseur's in front of my left.
Pegram's and Wharton's divisions were in front of Getty, Wharton
being, in part, east of the pike confronting our cavalry. Early's
left was held by Gordon's troops, including some of his cavalry.(17)
Early now made heroic efforts to hold his position, hoping at night
he could withdraw with some of the fruits of victory. Sheridan
made every possible exertion to dislodge the enemy, and to accomplish
this he was much engaged, personally, on the flanks with the cavalry.
Wright, calm, confident, and unperturbed, gave close attention to
his corps, and was constantly exposed. I frequently met him at
this crisis. He ordered a further charge upon the enemy's centre.
This seemed impossible with the tired troops. Preparation was,
however, made to attempt it. The firing in this last position had
continued for about an hour, during which both s