The Twenty-Third Corps deploys along high ground opposite the Confederates. To their left, Howard’s force comes to a halt. Colonel Knefler writes:
“Having marched but a short distance, we came upon the brigade of General McLean, of the Twenty-third Army Corps. Orders were then received to move by the left flank and then to march in an easterly direction parallel with the road, and to maintain connection with McLean's brigade on the west side of the road.”
This reinforces the belief that McLean’s brigade did not form with Howard’s two divisions from the start. Rather, the two divisions came up behind or next to McLean, and McLean conformed his subsequent movements to them afterwards.
Colonel Robert Kimberly, commanding officer of the 41st Ohio and the guiding regiment of the column, writes that his skirmishers encounter strong enemy works. However, since they were searching for the Confederate flank, and were probably also behind McLean, the skirmishers are withdrawn without a fight. |
