General Howard, commanding the Fourth Corps, was near by, and I called his attention to this group, and ordered him to compel it to keep behind its cover.

He replied that his orders from General Thomas were to spare artillery-ammunition.

This was right, according to the general policy, but I explained to him that we must keep up the morale of a bold offensive, that he must use his artillery, force the enemy to remain on the timid defensive, and ordered him to cause a battery close by to fire three volleys.

I continued to ride down our line, and soon heard, in quick succession, the three volleys.

The next division in order was Geary's, and I gave him similar orders.