The publication of the Confederate Archives has partly solved the mystery.

Floyd called on Wise to reinforce him; but the latter demurred, insistent that the duty assigned him of attacking my position in front needed all the men he had.

Both appealed to Lee, and Lee decided that Floyd was the senior and entitled to command the joint forces.

[Footnote: Official Records, vol.v.pp.

155-165, 800, 802-813.] The letters of Wise show a capacity for keeping a command in hot water which was unique.
If he had been half as troublesome to me as he was to Floyd, I should indeed have had a hot time of it.