All that the enemy had gained by dogged determination and desperate bravery was lost from a lack of co-ordination, caused perhaps by the great difficulty of communicating orders over this long concave line where every route was swept by our fire.
Lee had now attacked both flanks of the Army of the Potomac without having been able to establish himself permanently on either.
Notwithstanding the repulse of the previous day he was very desirous of turning the left, for once well posted there he could secure his own retreat while interposing between Meade and Washington.
He rode over with Longstreet to that end of the line to see what could be done.

General Wofford, who commanded a brigade of McLaws' division, writes in a recent letter to General Crawford, United States Army, as follows: "Lee and Longstreet came to my brigade Friday morning before the artillery opened fire.

I told him that the afternoon before, I nearly reached the crest.

He asked if I could not go there now.

I replied, 'No, General, I think not.' He said quickly, 'Why not ?' 'Because,' I said, 'General, the enemy have had all night to intrench and reinforce.