“The battle commenced by Ewelling assailing Wight. The fighting became furious along Sedgewear's entire front and over and along Warner's line. Burns and Motley, of Hanscom's Corps, advanced upon the enemy and assaulted him with very great energy. Walworth now assaulted where he was directed. The contest was a desperate one. The smoke rose through the woods like a dense cloud. The artillery was brought to where it could be used, and from both sides it belched forth its iron hail and sounded as if the earth was breaking into a thousand fragments. The musketry rattled and showered the leaden missiles of death in every direction. The yells and shrieks of the wounded were enough to strike terror to the souls of the strongest, during the whole time of this great battle of blood and death.
“The enemy were driven at every point, and retreated in great confusion. Our troops undertook to pursue them through the thick woods and became broken up and confused. Sherlin was now engaged with Seward's cavalry, near the Todd House, in a terrible contest, The firing and shouting could be heard by Hanscom's troops. Sherlin was victorious and Seward retreated.
“Up to this time Longpath had not taken the position assigned him, but now moved rapidly against Hanscom's left. The contest was renewed. Silent and Meador rode out to the front and looked over the ground. Silent never lost confidence in the result for a moment.
“Longpath now assaulted with great vehemence; our advance brigade was swept like chaff before the wind. The density of the brush was such that H an scorn could not make his proper formation, and therefore had to fall back to his position held early in the day. Walworth was driven back, and in trying to rally his men was shot through the head and instantly killed. Sedgewear's right was assailed and turned, losing many prisoners. He rallied, however, and drove the enemy back again. Longpath being now severely wounded, Laws led his corps in person.
“A simultaneous attack was now made by our forces. Broomfield assaulted for the first time during the day, and the enemy were forced back. In this assault my son Jackson, leading his brigade, was wounded and taken to the rear. This was late in the afternoon. The woods had been on fire several times during the day, but at this time the breastworks of some of our men having been constructed of wood were fired by the musketry and blazed up, catching the timber and leaves with which the ground was covered. The fire became general and drove men in every direction, both Union and rebel. The shrieks and screams of the poor wounded men who could not escape the flames were heartrending.
“Darkness came on and the contest ceased. During the night Laws withdrew the rebel army to his old line of works and gave up the idea of driving Silent back across the Rapidan. Gen. Silent repaired to his headquarters, where he received the reports of the commanding officers. Some were sure that Laws would attack again the next morning. Some thought that we had better retire across the Rapidan. At this Silent said not a word, but smiled. He finally gave orders to be ready to meet the enemy the next morning, and to attack him if he had not withdrawn. When he spoke of the enemy withdrawing a look of surprise was on the faces of many.
“After they had all repaired to their respective quarters he went out to look around, and while listening under a tree in order to hear any movements that might be making in the enemy's lines, he was again startled by the same spectral form that had appeared to him twice before. It pointed in the direction of Richmond and spoke these words, 'Move on to-morrow,' and disappeared. He was strangely affected by this, and became quite nervous for a man of his stoicism.
“He returned to his tent and inquired for his Adjutant-General. When he reported, he asked if any further reports had come in, and was told that a messenger had just arrived with dispatches announcing that Boutler had moved on City Point, capturing it; that Sherwood expected to attack Jones at Rocky Head on that day. Silent then went to bed and slept soundly.