Gods and Generals - Jeff Shaara [206]
THEY HAD met the lines of Anderson and McLaws. Jackson did not want to wait, knew that once the Federal columns came out of the Wilderness, they would have the advantage of mobility. While Jackson’s own divisions were quickly moving toward the field, preparing to link up with Anderson, Jackson was already there, had reached the strong defensive lines Anderson had prepared during the night, the trenches and felled trees. It was a strong line, but Jackson would not wait for the slow advance of the Federals, had ordered Anderson and McLaws forward, out of the trenches, toward the edge of the Wilderness.
Hancock pointed from the center of the road, spreading his regiments out into the woods. He could still see Sykes’s lines moving forward, still climbing the hill, and now his own men were ready, began to advance up, close behind Sykes. The sounds were steady now, a dull echo in the dense mass of brush. Down to the south he could hear more sounds: Slocum was engaged as well; Jackson’s lines were spread down across both roads.
Hancock stood in the stirrups, tried to see beyond the brush, but it was hopeless. How can they put up that much of a front? he wondered. His mind began to turn quickly. If Lee is here, he thought, if he has come out to meet us, then who is on the hills in front of Sedgwick? So, if Lee has turned this way, then it is up to Sedgwick to come up over and around the hills, and we can still squeeze Lee between us.
His men were pushing slowly through the thickets, still moving up the hill, and now he saw a flag, riders. It was Couch.
Couch pulled the horse up, stared forward toward the crest of the hill. “General Hancock, are your men engaged?”
“No, sir. But Sykes is pushing them back. He appears to have control of the high point of the hill. The clear open ground is not far beyond. If we can advance out of this mess, we will have an open field of fire.”
Couch turned to the south, listening. Hancock said, “Slocum is engaged as well. If the rebels are giving way, it must be a thin line in front of us. We have the momentum, and it seems we have the strength.”
Couch nodded, looked back to the north. “Meade is still advancing on the River Road. I left headquarters when we heard the first sounds from out here. But so far Meade is unopposed. Lee will surely have some force guarding Bank’s Ford, but with two divisions, Meade should be able to clear them out.” Couch was staring hard, intense, bright flashing eyes, and Hancock did not recall seeing the small man with such energy, such animated movement.
“Sir, what of Sedgwick? Is he advancing?”
Couch did not answer, still stared ahead to the fight.
“Sir, is General Sedgwick advancing on Lee’s position? If Lee has moved a strong force this way, the hills above Fredericksburg could be taken without—”
“General Hooker has ordered Sedgwick not to attack, to just make a demonstration. General Hooker has ordered Sedgwick to dig in, to prepare to receive an attack.”
Hancock leaned forward, stared at Couch, was not sure he understood. “An attack? From where?”
“From Jackson . . . from Lee’s forces on the hill.”
Hancock was confused, said, “Then who is that in front of us?”
Couch waited, looked again to the north, heard nothing, said, “If we had some cavalry, we might have the answer to that.”
Ahead of them the fighting began to slow, and they could see blue troops on the crest of the hill. Couch began to ride forward, and Hancock rode with him, leading their staffs. The crest of the hill was covered with bodies, and the dead were being pulled aside, off the road. All around them wounded were being attended, men from both sides. From the top of the hill they could see to the east, out past the edge of the Wilderness. Well below, the gray lines were reforming, had been pushed back, but now the Federal forces had the high ground, and far in the distance they could see the dark shapes of the hills between them and Fredericksburg.
The ridge ran north and south for miles, and down to the right they could begin to see Slocum’s