he
Tavern. The enemy's intrenchments covered a considerable part of
this last road, from which he could easily debouch and attack the
flank and rear or the trains of the marching columns.( 1) These
conditions rendered French's situation perilous, and caused him to
move with extreme caution, as the Sixth Corps could not arrive
until he was out of the way. Notwithstanding French had some miles
farther to march than Warren, and unusual difficulties to overcome
or guard against, Meade dispatched him, as early as 1 P.M. of the
26th, that his delay was retarding the operations of Warren, and
again at 3 P.M. he dispatched French:

"I would not move forward farther from the river than to clear the
way for General Sedgwick, until he comes up and crosses."

The Second Division, General Henry Prince, with some cavalry, was
in the advance; the Third, Carr's, and the First, General David B.
Birney's, following in the order named. At the Widow Morris', a
somewhat obscure road bore off abruptly to the left, but which,
somewhat circuitously, led to Robertson's Tavern. The head of
Prince's column, however, was on the more direct road to Tom Morris'
house, with flankers and cavalry well to the right. These were
soon attacked and driven in or recalled.

It seems Prince was led to believe he was in communication with
Warren's left.( 2)

It soon became evident that the head of French's column was near
the Raccoon Ford road, and the intrenchments held by at least two
divisions of Ewell's corps of Lee's army, and there seemed to be
no possible chance to extricate it without a battle.

At 11.45 A.M., on the 27th, Meade dispatched French:

"If you cannot unite with Warren by the route you are on, you must
move through to him by the left."

At 1.45 P.M. Meade again dispatched French:

"Attack the enemy in your front immediately, throwing your left
forward to connect with General Warren at Robertson's Tavern. The
object of an attack is to form junction with General Warren, which
must be effected immediately."

Prince had, by this time, formed line of battle and engaged the
enemy. Carr's division was ordered forward to take position on
Prince's left, and at 3 P.M. Birney's division was ordered to form
in support of Carr.

Prince covered the road leading to a junction with the Raccoon Ford
road. The First Brigade of Carr's division (General W. H. Morris)
moved to the left of Prince, my brigade--the Second--was ordered
to pas