r of the works to be assailed. They had watched their
completion; they knew of the existence of the _abattis_ and the
deep ditches to be passed, as well as the high ramparts to be
scaled. The night added to the solemnity of the preparation for
the bloody work.

The Second Division was formed on the right, the Third Division on
the left, each in two lines of battle, about two hundred feet apart.
The First Division (Wheaton's) was in echelon by brigades, in
support on Getty's right.( 6) The corps was formed on ground lower
than that on which the enemy's fortifications were constructed.
There was an angle in the enemy's line in front of the corps as
formed at which there was a large fort. Getty's division was to
assault to the right and Seymour's to the left of this fort. My
brigade was to assault between it and the fort about a third of a
mile to its left. The connecting breastworks were strong, as has
been explained, with a deep ditch and formidable _abattis_ in their
front, and well manned and supplied with artillery. The enemy was
alert and opened fire on us with artillery and musketry before we
were completely formed, inflicting some loss. Long before the hour
for the signal the corps was ready. Much preparation is necessary
for a well delivered assault. Every officer should be personally
instructed as to his particular duties, as commands can rarely be
given after the troops are in motion. The pioneer corps with axe-
men were required to accompany the head of the column, to cut down
and remove obstructions and to aid the soldiers in crossing trenches
and scaling the works. The _abattis_ was to be cut down or torn
up, and, wherever possible, used in the ditches to provide means
of crossing them.

A narrow opening, just wide enough for a wagon to pass through,
was known to exist in the enemy's line in front of my brigade,
though it was skillfully covered by a shoulder around it. The
existence of this opening was discovered from the observation tower,
and deserters told of it. I determined to take advantage of it,
and therefore instructed Colonel Clifton K. Prentiss of the 6th
Maryland when the time for the attack came to move his regiment by
the flank rapidly through this opening without halting or firing,
and when within, open on the Confederates behind the works, taking
them in flank, and, if possible, drive them out and thus leave for
our other troops little resistance in gaining an entrance over th