But the heavy timber and narrow roads prevented him from getting into position for attack as promptly as he generally did when receiving such orders.

At four o'clock he again received his orders to attack, and General Getty received orders from Meade a few minutes later to attack whether Hancock was ready or not.
He met the enemy under Heth within a few hundred yards.
Hancock immediately sent two divisions, commanded by Birney and Mott, and later two brigades, Carroll's and Owen's, to the support of Getty.
This was timely and saved Getty.

During the battle Getty and Carroll were wounded, but remained on the field.

One of Birney's most gallant brigade commanders--Alexander Hays--was killed.
I had been at West Point with Hays for three years, and had served with him through the Mexican war, a portion of the time in the same regiment.
He was a most gallant officer, ready to lead his command wherever ordered.

With him it was "Come, boys," not "Go." Wadsworth's division and Baxter's brigade of the 2d division were sent to reinforce Hancock and Getty; but the density of the intervening forest was such that, there being no road to march upon, they did not get up with the head of column until night, and bivouacked where they were without getting into position.
During the afternoon Sheridan sent Gregg's division of cavalry to Todd's Tavern in search of Wilson.