At two o'clock in the afternoon all were ready to advance.

By this time the clouds had lifted so that the enemy could see from his elevated position all that was going on.

The signal for advance was given by a booming of cannon from Fort Wood and other points on the line.

The rebel pickets were soon driven back upon the main guards, which occupied minor and detached heights between the main ridge and our lines.

These too were carried before halting, and before the enemy had time to reinforce their advance guards.