Hancock's task was to capture the angle which formed the key to this
position.
In pitch darkness under pouring rain his four divisions under Birney,
Mott, Barlow and Gibbon slipped through the mud and crept into position
within a few hundred yards of the Confederate breastworks.
As the first streaks of dawn pierced the murky clouds, without a shot,
the solid, silent lines of blue rushed this angle and leaped into the
entrenchments before the astounded men in grey knew what had happened.
So swift was the blow, so surprising, so overwhelming in numbers, the
angle was captured practically without a struggle and the three thousand
men within it were forced to surrender with every cannon, their muskets,
colors and two Generals. It was the most brilliant single achievement of
"Hancock the Superb."
Pressing on, Hancock's men advanced against the second series of
trenches a half mile beyond. Here the fight really began.
Into their faces poured a terrific volley of musketry and General John
B. Gordon led his men in a desperate charge to drive the invaders back.
Lee, seeing the dangerous situation, rode to the front with the evident
intention of joining in this charge.
Again the cry rang from the hearts of the men who loved him:
"Lee to the rear!"
They refused to move until he was led out of range of the fire.
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