[561] inasmuch as Doles' brigade is the only one that happens to be on this side at the moment, and entirely forgetting the danger that threatens him in the direction of Heidlersburg, Schurz endeavors to push his line as far as the border of a small stream which derives its source from Oak Hill, intersects the Carlisle road near the dividing-line of the Newville road, and empties into Rock Creek below Blocker's farm. This position is marked on the right by a small wood which commands the last-mentioned water-course, but it has no real strength, and, being more than thirteen hundred yards distant from Gettysburg, it has the inconvenience of being exposed on both sides: taken in flank on the left by the extremity, Oak Hill and the Mummasburg road, it is equally liable to be turned on the right by way of the Heidlersburg road, which passes back of the wood, and along which the enemy has already been reported to Howard.
But before Schurz has completed his movements a new and violent attack on the part of the Confederates against all Doubleday's positions invites our attention to this point. It is half-past 2: four of Rodes' five brigades and five batteries of artillery posted along the summit and the western slope of Oak Hill menace, not the Eleventh corps, but rather the flank of the First. At the sight of this reinforcement Hill determines to renew the fight with Heth's soldiers, who have had time to recover breath, while Pender's troops are ready to support them. Rodes, on his part, deploys his right in order to form connection with him. Iverson, Ramseur, and Daniel, crossing the Mummasburg road, make a semi-diversion to the left for the purpose of attacking Cutler's troops in front. These troops, in fact, are facing west along the edge of the coppice situated north of the railway, in which they have taken refuge early in the day. This manoeuvre is almost entirely accomplished under shelter of the woods which for a long distance extend along the western slope of Oak Hill. During this time Rodes' artillery is crushing with its projectiles the guns that Doubleday has posted along the Cashtown road, and, after having compelled them to take refuge near the seminary, he opens fire upon Cutler's right flank.
Doubleday, finding his line menaced on this side, and the enemy about to penetrate within the space which separates him from the
