[544] heights on the opposite side of the stream, the Confederate commander determined to move across Hatcher's Run at once, and assail Hancock's right. Hill accordingly crossed, and, as it happened, his point of passage brought him directly in the interval between Hancock and Crawford. But of this circumstance he was not at all aware, owing to the densely wooded character of the country. The Confederate infantry passed close to Crawford's skirmishers, and followed a path through the woods until they were near Hancock's position, when they deployed, and, about four P. M., suddenly fell upon Mott's division of Hancock's corps. Most of the troops were disposed so as to meet an attack from quite a different direction, so that the outburst of the enemy was on their rear, and the presence of the Confederates was first announced by volleys of musketry. Peirce's brigade of Mott's division at this point gave way, one section of artillery was captured, and affairs appeared as critical as can well be conceived. Hancock immediately ordered Egan to change front, and move to resist the adverse mass; but that officer, with true soldierly instinct, had already done that of his own motion, and was moving rapidly to attack the force in his rear. It is probable that the Confederates did not precisely comprehend the situation, for on emerging into the open space around the Boydton plankroad, they pushed rapidly across that road, and, facing southward, commenced firing.
Egan swept down upon the flanks of the enemy with Smythe's and Willett's brigades of his own division, and Mc-Allister's brigade of Mott's division, while De Trobriand's brigade and Kerwin's brigade of dismounted cavalry formed on the west side of the road, and advanced at the same time. The forward rush of Egan's men was irresistible, and the Confederates were driven from the field with the loss of two colors, and nearly a thousand prisoners. The two captured guns were retaken. The enemy made for the woods in confusion, and retired by the same route on which they had advanced. Several hundred of them strayed into Crawford's line, and were taken. An advance of the force under that
