On this occasion Wright did what Lee failed to accomplish the next day at such a heavy expense of life, _for he pierced our centre,_ and held it for a short time, and had the movement been properly supported and energetically followed up, it might have been fatal to our army, and would most certainly have resulted in a disastrous retreat.

It was but another illustration of the difficulty of successfully converging columns against a central force.

Lee's divisions seemed never to strike at the hour appointed.

Each came forward separately, and was beaten for lack of support.
Wright attained the crest and Wilcox was almost on a line with him.
The latter was closely followed up and nearly surrounded, for troops rushed in on him from all sides.

He lost very heavily in extricating himself from his advanced position.