Howard’s column begins moving east.  McLean’s brigade follows.  McLean’s orders are to both support Howard in any attack he makes, and to maintain the connection with the Twenty-Third Corps and the rest of the Union army.  This puts McLean in a difficult position.  He leaves skirmishers in his wake to maintain the connection with the rest of the army, but will have severely reduced his brigade by the time he gets into position to attack.  He will have no clear guidance from above, as he detests General Howard.  This stems from McLean having served under Howard during the rout of the old Eleventh Corps at the Battle of Chancellorsville.