My line was very thin and weak, and my last reserve had been thrown in.

As we had positive information that the entire rebel army was coming on, it was evident enough that we could not contend any longer, unless some other corps came to our assistance.

I had previously sent an aide-- Lieutenant Slagle--to ask General Howard to reinforce me from Steinwehr's division, but he declined to do so.

I now sent my Adjutant-General, Halsted, to reiterate the request, or to obtain for me an order to retreat, as it was impossible for me to remain where I was, in the face of the constantly increasing forces which were approaching from the west.

Howard insisted that Halstead mistook rail fences for troops in the distance.