Occasional shells passed over and a line of battle was formed on the crest of a ridge to support a battery there. It was greeted with minie balls which continued to come for some hours, more or less thickly. They did little harm, however, being aimed too high, but the experience was a trying one upon the nerves. Companies K and E, Lieutenants Thompson and Hall commanding, were advanced as skirmishers for the brigade front. The two companies, loaded with knapsacks, etc. went in on the double quick. Many of the men were nearly exhausted but they drove the enemy across a field and into a wood, in the edge of which they made a stand. The two companies of skirmishers then took a position under the brow of a hill and lay down, all the while keeping up a brisk fire. The enemy made many attempts to break through the line, but were repulsed every time. Just before dark they opened a brisk fire upon the skirmishers, who held their ground.
The Orderly Sergeant, Thomas P. Manning, was killed, and one man was wounded.
At dark the line of skirmishers was advanced nearly to the wood and received but three shots, which injured no one. At half past 9 they were relieved, having been out ten hours. When these two companies, K and E, were advanced in the morning, the rest of the regiment was ordered to the right to support the skirmish line of the 72nd Pennsylvania Volunteers whose whole field force was deployed. Companies H and G were here deployed to close a gap in the above mentioned line, connecting with it on both flanks; the balance of the regiment being in reserve, where it remained all night. Sometime after dark Companies K and E rejoined the regiment. This was the last engagement of the year for the Nineteenth Massachusetts, as this command was not engaged during the brief manoeuvres which followed.
Sergeant Thomas P. Manning, of Co. K, was killed in the engagement and he was one of the bravest and truest soldiers
