Edward Porter Alexander, Military memoirs of a Confederate: a critical narrative

Hancock had sent Miles to reconnoitre across the Po in the direction of Todd's Tavern. Only two regiments were sent, and they returned in the evening, but our report had exaggerated the numbers and undue importance was attached to the incident. Early had also reported indications of movements to the left. Lee believed that Grant was preparing for another flank march to be attempted during the night, and orders were sent to each chief of artillery to withdraw at sundown all of his guns which were in lines close to the enemy, so that if it became necessary to move during the night, the withdrawal of the guns would not be heard. Mahone's division was still upon Field's left, and Lee also ordered it, with two brigades of Wilcox, to make a night march and occupy Shady Grove before daylight.

During the night, it was discovered that the movement to the left had been unimportant (it was supposed to have been a feint, but it was not) so that Mahone was recalled, and now he, with Wilcox's two brigades, were returned to Hill's corps. The order to the chiefs of artillery, however, was not recalled, and consequently 22 guns of Page's and Cutshaw's battalions were, about sundown, withdrawn from the position about to be attacked. It was a fatal mistake, as will presently appear.

On the line of Longstreet's corps, I had ventured to accomplish the intent of the order without literal compliance with its terms. I had visited every battery and had its ammunition chests mounted (they were usually dismounted, and the chests placed under cover in the pits) and the carriages so placed and the roads so prepared that we could withdraw easily and without noise. Our guns all remained in position on the lines.

It was in the dark of the moon, and heavy rain was falling as the Federals began to move soon after nightfall. It was after midnight when they reached the ground where they were to form. Hancock's formation is interesting, but it failed from an over-concentration of force.