Such a movement would be equivalent to interposing between the First Corps and the main army.
There was a piece of woods between the two roads, with open ground on each side.

It seemed to me this was the key of the position, for if this woods was strongly held, the enemy could not pass on either road without being taken in flank by the infantry, and in front by the cavalry.

I therefore urged the men as they filed past me to hold it at all hazards.

Full of enthusiasm and the memory of their past achievements they said to me proudly, _"If we can't hold it, where will you find men who can ?"_ As they went forward under command of Colonel Morrow* of the 24th Michigan Volunteers, a brave and capable soldier, who, when a mere youth, was engaged in the Mexican War, I rode over to the left to see if the enemy's line extended beyond ours, and if there would be any attempt to flank our troops in that direction.

I saw, however, only a few skirmishers, and returned to organize a reserve.
I knew there was fighting going on between Cutler's brigade and the rebels in his front, but as General Reynolds was there in person, I only attended to my own part of the line; and halted the 6th Wisconsin regiment as it was going into the action, together with a hundred men of the Brigade Guard, taken from the 149th Pennsylvania, to station them in the open space between the Seminary and the woods, as a reserve, the whole being under the command of Lieut.-Colonel R.R.Dawes, of the 6th Wisconsin.
[* I sent orders to Morrow under the supposition that he was the ranking officer of the brigade.