The Campaign From the Wilderness to Petersburg - Address of Col. C. S. Venable, (Formerly of Gen. R. E. Lee’s Staff,) of the University of Virginia, Before the Virginia Division of the Army of Northern Virginia #272058

Ofthe commanding-general. The troops, inspired by his presence, maintained the unequal fight with great courage and steadiness. Once only there was some wavering, whichb was immediately checked. The Odds were very heavy against these two divisions (heth's and Wilcox's), which were together about ten thousand strong. The battle first began with Getty's Federal division, which was soon reinforced by the Second corps, under General Han cock. Hancock had orders, with his corps and Getty's division of the Sixth corps, to drive Hill back to Parker's store. This he tried to accomplish, but his repeated and desperate assaults were repulsed. Before night Wadsworth' s division and a brigade f1om Warren's corps were sent to help Hancock, thus making a force Of more than forty thousand men, which was hurled zbat these devoted ten thousand until 8 o'clock P. M. In unavailing efforts to drive them from their position.