while their artillery, operating against the Union left,
seemed to redouble its fury. This change was at once made known to
Porter, who as quickly divined the intention of Longstreet. This was to
engage all attention with the Federal left, while several of his
divisions, passing rapidly through roadways and obscure paths in the
woods known only to the native Virginians, were to take the right wing
in flank. Porter immediately directed counter movements to meet
them--movements admirably calculated and as admirably executed. Burns,
with his own and two other brigades, moved rapidly to the right and
deployed in line opposite the edge of the white oaks from which the
rebels must emerge to make their attack. Four batteries went up at a
trot and took position where they were masked by a fringe of bushes and
some patches of tall corn. From this point the artillery could
concentrate a terrible fire of grape, canister and short-fuse shell upon
any part of the opposite woods from which the enemy might make their
appearance. The infantry were ordered to lie down, and were concealed
from view by clumps of trees, corn and underbrush. This repelling force
was not kept long in suspense, and it was evident that the movement had
not been made a moment too soon for safety. Suddenly from the shadow of
the white-oaks, out came the Confederates by regiments, without tap of
drum or bugle-call, pouring from the various openings in double-quick
time, and by the right and left flanks. They filed rapidly right and
left until the woods were cleared; then by a halt and face-to-the-front
they were brought quickly into line of battle. A halt of very brief
space to align and close up ranks, and they were ordered forward to the
attack. On they came, in close order and with long swaying lines,
exulting in the prospect of a successful issue to their bold movement,
and so confident that they would take the Federal flank and rear by
complete surprise, that silence was no longer felt to be necessary and
yells and shouts of triumph were beginning to burst from one portion and
another of their line. Still on they came, and not a shot had been fired
on either side since they emerged from the woods. Their left was thrown
forward in advance of the centre and right, as if seeking to surround
the positions supposed to be held by the Federal troops. They were even
allowed to advance within pistol-shot of some portions of the ambuscade,
before the trap laid for them