The Sixth Corps were then formed on three sides of a square inclosing Banks' Ford, with the flanks resting on the river.

Howe's division faced east toward Fredericksburg, against Early, who confronted him in that direction, and his left stretched out to Taylor's Hill on the Rappahannock.

Newton's division, together with Russell's brigade of Brooks' division, faced McLaws on the west, and Brooks' other two brigades--those of Bartlett and Torbert--were opposed to Anderson on the south.

The entire line was very long and thin.
Early and McLaws had been skirmishing on their fronts all day, but it was 6 P.M.before everything was in readiness for the final advance.

An attempt had, however, been made by Early to turn Howe's left and cut Sedgwick off from the river; but it was promptly met and the enemy were repulsed with a loss of two hundred prisoners and a battle-flag.
Sedgwick felt his position to be a precarious one.