regiments which, in anticipation of the enemy's initiatory attack I

had sent to Sill's rear before daylight.

Both Johnson's and Davis's divisions were now practically gone from

our line, having retired with a loss of all formation, and they were

being closely pursued by the enemy, whose columns were following the

arc of a circle that would ultimately carry him in on my rear. In

consequence of the fact that this state of things would soon subject

me to a fire in reverse, I hastily withdrew Sill's brigade and the

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