However, there was virtue in the situation, in that it furnished the grandest test that could have been presented to the Army of the Potomac. Most fully defeated, yet not alarmed. Line broken, yet not pursued.
Hooker's Army was a body of positive soldiery, who knew not on that 2d of May, nor until well back on sure ground, how nearly Lee had gained what Hooker started out to accomplish.
Back from the Old Furnace came the two Divisions of Sickles', while Keenan, with his Battalion of Cavalry, held the whole rebel force, to make time for the planting of the guns, and lessen the time for the falling of the night, which was to be the safeguard of our Army.
The next morning found our Brigade too far out, and where it would not have remained through the night had its position and number been known to the occupants of the woods along the line of which it was posted.
The Brigade was drawn back in the direction of the Chancellor House, and put behind a short line of light breast-works, in an isolated position, without any support to the right or left. We had been closely followed in our withdrawal of the morning, and were now hard pressed by the enemy forcing in upon our front, while a large force could be seen moving some distance on our left, which, within a half-hour, coming through the woods and over the rise to our rear, were immediately at our back before their coming was known.
For some time, such of the Union troops as could be seen from the position occupied by the Regiment, had been giving way and falling back to the protection of the numerous guns posted in front of the Chancellor House, and which had not yet opened fire.
The Union line did not seem to be holding anywhere.
The killed and wounded of the Regiment had been added to at every fire.
Pressed to the front and rear by forces too large to contend with, with one flank closed and the other nearly so, it was now only the question of escape, or capture.
When the colors of the Regiment were planted behind the inner works, twice the fingers of the hands counted the total of the officers and men who stood with them.