[505]
Jamison, of General Jenkins's staff, to the effect that Colonel Bratton had encountered a heavy force of the enemy (a corps, I think he said), that General Jenkins was withdrawing him, and that he wished me to hold my position until he could retire.
A few moments before this message came I had dispatched a courier to General Jenkins to report to him that the enemy was attacking me in front, that it was possible for him to pass troops in rear of those engaged in this attack to the point at which I supposed Colonel Bratton to be, and that if this should be done Bratton might be placed in a dangerous position.
Very soon another messenger brought substantially the same message delivered by Captain Jamison, and informed me further that Colonel Bratton's command was at the creek, and either crossing or about to cross — I cannot now recall which.
About the same time General Robertson, who was watching the extreme right, reported that a strong force of the enemy was moving over the adjoining hill on our right, the head of the column having made its appearance on the edge of the triangular opening in my rear, which I have already described, and near the river bank.
My videttes also reported the same thing.
In the meantime the second attack had commenced.
When the firing had almost ceased, I gave orders for the whole line to retire to the hill on which it had first formed, thence into the hollow behind it, and thence by flanking to the left, into the road and across the bridge.
To cover this movement, I held the road with a strong force of skirmishers, and directed General Robertson to place the First Texas regiment, together with part of the Fifth Texas, already there, on an open hill between the bridge and the point from which the enemy was moving, on our right.
The movement was executed in a quiet and leisurely manner, the enemy in front making no effort to follow.
During the engagement of Colonel Bratton with the enemy no troops passed from the right along the road or in sight of it. It was possible, however, for them to pass near the foot of Raccoon mountain while the attack on my position was progressing.
When the order for my command to retire was given I had already received information that Colonel Bratton had been withdrawn, that he was actually at the bridge, and the firing on the left had ceased for nearly, if not quite, half an hour.
Believing that the object for which my position was occupied had been accomplished, I withdrew.
The movement of the enemy on my right would in a few minutes more have necessitated a change of position, and the intelligence of this movement had its influence in determining the precise moment of withdrawal.
But, independent of this, the order was based on my understanding of the plan of operations and the conviction that it was in accordance with that plan.
