[Chancellorsville and Gettysburg by Abner Doubleday]@TWC D-Link bookChancellorsville and Gettysburg CHAPTER VII 19/26
As the fortified heights commanded the Plank Road by which Sedgwick was to advance, it became necessary to attack immediately.
The plan of assault which was devised by General Newton, and approved by General Sedgwick, was to attenuate the rebel force by attacking it on a wide front, so that it could not be strong anywhere, and to use the bayonet alone.
Accordingly, Gibbon was directed to advance on the right to turn their flank there if possible, while Newton was to demonstrate against the centre and Howe to act against the left.
Newton deployed Wharton's brigade, opened fire along his front and kept the enemy employed there, but Gibbon was unable to advance on the right, because a canal and a railway lay between him and the rebels, and they had taken up the flooring of the bridges over the latter.
Howe did not succeed any better on the left, as in attempting to turn the first line of works he encountered the fire of a second line in rear and in _echelon_ to the first, which took him directly in flank.
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