After inquiring to what corps they belonged he passed over to the right.

On his return late in the day he saw Sickles' whole line driven in and found Wright's rebel brigade established on the crest barring his way back.

He rode rapidly over to Meade's headquarters and found the general walking up and down the room, apparently quite unconscious of the movements which might have been discerned by riding to the top of the hill, and which should have been reported to him by some one of his staff.
Tidball said, "General, I am very sorry to see that the enemy have pierced our centre." Meade expressed surprise at the information and said, "Why, where is Sedgwick ?" Tidball replied, "I do not know, but if you need troops, I saw a fine body of Vermonters a short distance from here, belonging to the First Corps, who are available." Meade then directed him to take an order to Newton and put the men in at once; the order was communicated to me and I went with my division at double quick to the point indicated.
There we pursued Wright's force as it retired, and retook, at Hancock's instigation, four guns taken by Wright earlier in the action.

When these were brought in I sent out two regiments, who followed the enemy up nearly to their lines and retook two more guns.

I have been thus particular in narrating this incident as Stannard's Vermont brigade contributed greatly to the victory of the next day and it is worthy of record to state how they came to be located in that part of the field.
It is claimed that unless Sickles had taken up this advanced position Hood's division would have turned our left, have forced us from the shelter of the ridge, and probably have intervened between us and Washington.