William Swinton, Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac

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[448] access was commanded by the enemy. Hancock, however, succeeded in throwing Brooke's brigade across the stream some distance above, and was proceeding to develop the enemy's strength, when suddenly the movement was suspended by General Meade. While Hancock's movement was in progress that morning, it had been determined to make an attack on the enemy on Warren's front and on that of the Sixth Corps, and General Hancock was ordered to withdraw two divisions from the south side of the Po, to assist the proposed assault.

In obedience to this order, the divisions of Gibbon and Birney were retired, the rear of the latter being assailed in the act. There then remained only the division of Barlow, and as the enemy at this moment showed a disposition to attack, Hancock was instructed to withdraw this also.

The order was given just as Barlow's skirmishers were being driven in, at two P. M. The operation immediately became one of great delicacy; for after, by skilful dispositions, two brigades of the division had been withdrawn from the front, the enemy, encouraged by what he deemed a forced retreat, made a very vigorous assault on the two remaining brigades, under Colonels Brooke and Brown. He, however, met so deadly and determined a fire from these fine brigades that he was repulsed with heavy loss. During the heat of the contest the woods in the rear of the troops, and between them and the river, took fire; and in the midst of these appalling perils, with a fierce foe in its front, and a burning forest in its rear, the force, after checking the advance of the enemy by several stubborn stands, was retired across the Po. This was not accomplished without heavy loss, and many of the wounded perished in the flames.¹ The remarkable coolness and steadiness of the men alone saved them from a great disaster. One gun, the first ever lost by the Second Corps, had to be abandoned in consequence of being sunk in a marsh. Miles' brigade crossed last, taking up the ponton-bridge and destroying the other.