Feb. 6, 1865

Meade met with Warren around noon at his headQUrters within the UInion breastworks near the crossing of Hatcher's Run. He ordered him to find the rebel earthworks at Dabney's Mill to the north. At 1:15 Warren ordered Crawford to take his 3rd ivision up the Vaughan road to the Dabney Mill Road and to drive back the rebels outside their works. He sent Ayres and his two brigades of the 2nd Division to follow Crawford. (Warren's report oR Vol. 46, Part 1, p. 255)

Early in the afternoon Crawford's division crossed Hatcher's Run and marched through the woods in a northerly direciton. Bragg's 1st brigade led the column. Upon reaching an open field a quarter mile north of the division's bivouac, Bragg deployed his men and advanded in line of battle into the woods beyond. At once he became engaged. Under orders from Crawford, Morrow formed his 3rd brigade 300 yars in Bragg's rear, with his left his left extending beyond the left of Bragg's brigade. Both of his flanks were slightly refused. Crawford ordered Baxter's 2nd brigade to form on Bragg's left which was apparently being threatened by the enemy. Subsequently Morrow advanded his brigade until it was only 100 yarrds behind Bragg. (Morrow's report Vol. 46, Part 1, p. 286)

The Confederates drove back the left of Bragg's brigade, which uncovered Morrow's front. Morrow ordered his brigade forward and drove the advancing rebels back a considerable distance through a small cleared field and into a wood. (Morrow's report Vol. 46, Part 1, p. 286)

Upon reaching Dabney's Mill, Crawford drove the enemy back. The rebels rallied and drove back Crawford's left. Warren sent Ayres with his two brigades to the left. Warren's report oR Vol. 46, Part 1, p. 255)

Bowerman's 2nd (Maryland) Brigade led Ayres' march, followed by Gwyn's 3rd Brigade. (Gwyn's report OR Vol. 46, Pa45 1 p. ) A body of fleeing cavalry smashed into Gwynbn's brigade and broke it into fragements. He was unable to unite it during the battle. He led part of the brigade far to the left away from the rest of the Union forces.
(Ayres' 2nd OR Vol. 46, Part 1, report p. 279) Gwyn advanced some distance where he became engaged witha the rebels. He fought a separate engagement for two hours. zHe retired when the enemy pressed him in front and on the flanks and stopped on a hill in front of the Union brestworks (Gwynn's 2nd report oR Vol. 46, Part 1,p. )_285)

Fleeing Union troops threw Bowerman's brigade into confusion, but it continued its march forward. It encoiuntered an attacking enemy, but the enemy fell back. (Bowerman's report oR Vol. 46, Part 1,p. 282)

At this point Pearson's 3rd Brigade of Griffin's 1st division arrived on the field. Warren placed it in line. Its right rested behind the center of one of the brigade's of Crawford's 3rd division and extended westward to a spot behind one of the brigades of Ayres' 2nd division. Warren ordered Pearson to double quick a portion of the brigade to the front to assist Ayres who was hotly engaged. Pearson placed his two regiments on the left of Bowerman's brigades near Dabney's Mill where they became fiercely engagd with the rebels Next Ayres ordered him to put a regiment on the right of Bowerman's brigade. (Pearson's report oR Vol. 46, Part 1,p.271 .

Bowerman's brigade broke, leavingt a gap on Pearson's right. He brought up the rest of his brigade to p[lug the hole. Confederates attacked Pearson's left flank, other rebels fired into his right flank, and troops from Crawford's division fired into his rear The btigade tried to reform but again was hit by Union fire from the rear which caused it to break and run. (Pearson's report oR Vol. 46, Part 1,p.271 .

The brigade reformed and advanced to the edge of some woods and became engaged The rebels retired and Pearson formed on the right of the XI Corps brigade that was being reorganized. (Pearson's report oR Vol. 46, Part 1,p.271 .

Hubbard's 2nd brigade, Wheaton's 1st division, VI Corps, was ordered to support the V Corps. It advanced 3/4 of a mile through an open field and into some woods. The brigade was overwhelmed by fugitives. while preparing to throw out skirmishers, the brigade was fired into by Burr's brigade. report of frank wheaton p. 299)

Burr's 2nd brigade of Griffin'1st division remained in the breastworks until afternoon when Warren ordered it to follow a brigade of the VI Corps. It was ordered to fill ainterval on the left of the Union line . (Burr's report oR Vol. 46, Part 1p. 269) It was probably at this time that they fired into the brigade of the VI Corps and into Ayres' troops. (Indorsement by Fred. Locke oR Vol. 46, Part 1,p.271) the brigade was ordered to hold the rebels back while the rest of the Federals fell back and reformed. However, the mass of fugitives swept away the brigade (oR Vol. 46, Part 1
(Burr's report Vol. 46, Part 1, p. 269)
.
Ayres tried to rally his brigades along the series of east-west ridges between Dabney's Mill and the Union fortificaitons to the south, but he was successful only once. And his stand failed because the troops on the right kept falling back.

Crawford and Ayres drove the enemy some distance beyond the mill, but the enemy held his ground. Warren ordered Griffin's 3rd brigade into action on the left. Warren sent for a brigade of Wheaton's division of the VI Corps. Before the brigade arrived, the rebels attacked and drove back the V Corps onto the brigade of the VI Corps where they rallied. (Warren's report oR Vol. 46, Part 1, p. 255)

Bryce A. SUderow