ing three regiments of Ransom's brigade and Col.
Branch's artillery were ordered to support them, and Ransom,
with two regiments and artillery, was again ordered to the right
to make a demonstration. At light the enemy opened a heavy
artillery fire upon our position, to which we replied, also
turning their own guns from the captured fort upon them. General
Hoke, after making a more thorough reconnoissance on Tuesday
morning, did not attack on the left, hence returned Ransom's
regiments to him on the right. About midday he determined to
send Ransom's brigade, with artillery, to the right, Coneby's
bridge a distance of four or five miles, to make a simultaneous
demonstration with him, while he would attack from his position
on the left with his and Kemper's brigades. Ransom reached the
bridge about dark, threw forward his skirmishers, who found the
enemy in strong position on the opposite side, and the bridge
destroyed. Finding the enemy were in the rifle pits and
stubbornly refusing to yield the position, three pieces of
artillery, under. Captain Blount, were advanced to within three
hundred yards of the bridge and the enemy were soon dislodged.
Our sharpshooters again advanced and the enemy re-appeared when
some gallant fellow of the 24th N.C. regiment plunged into the
creek, brought back a skiff, and immediately a party of select
men were put over in it, and ordered, at all hazards to drive
the enemy. The pontoons were hurried to the front, one placed in
the creek, which ferried over three or four companies that
followed, deployed as skirmishers, and the enemy fled,
abandoning a position of vital importance to them. The pontoons
were soon _laid_, and the infantry consisting of the 24th N.C.,
Col. Clark; 25th Alabama, Col. Rutledge; 56th N.C., Col. Faison;
35th N.C., Col. Jones; and (of Clingman's brigade) the 8th N.C.,
Col. Murchison, passed rapidly over and deployed into line at
about a mile from the enemy's outposts, the right flank resting
on the Roanoke, and the left on Coneby Creek. The artillery
commanded by Col. Branch, did not cross, as the enemy could
easily hear the crossing, and would shell furiously at the least
noise. About twelve o'clock the troops were all in position, and
were ordered to sleep on their arms and rest for the heavy work
just ahead of them. The