I rode to and along our front to see the enemy's position,
which is a fearfully strong one. Within about a mile of our position, there
runs a high, gradually sloping ridge, which trends in a northerly and southerly
direction, and crosses the turnpike at right angles, where it is naked, though
to the right and left it is wooded in some parts. Between this and a parallel
high ground, occupied by us, is a shallow ravine, in which was a small stream,
Mine Run. Along their ridge the Rebels have thrown up a heavy and continuous
breastwork, supported by entrenched batteries; and, in some places at least,
they probably have a second line. Any troops, advancing to the assault, would
be exposed to a heavy artillery fire from the very outset, over the space of a
mile, besides having to encounter the still worse musketry at the end. At
daylight this morning, General Warren, with his own corps and a division of the
6th, marched towards our extreme left, where, it was understood, the right of
the enemy could be turned. His attack was to be a signal for attacking in other
places on the line. However, despite that the rain had ceased, the bad roads
delayed a good deal, and a false report of entrenchments delayed more; so that,
when he got there, after driving in an outlying force, the day was too far
advanced for an attack. Major Ludlow, however, came back with a fine account
from General Warren of the prospects, and all things were made ready for an
assault, next day. . . .
SOURCE: George R. Agassiz, Editor, Meade’s
Headquarters, 1863-1865: Letters of Colonel Theodore Lyman from the Wilderness
to Appomattox, p. 55-6
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