On the left Barlow's and Gibbons' divisions of the Second corps leaped their works and, under a severe fire of artillery and musketry, drove in the enemy's advanced line and, in many places, gained the main line, but the latter was soon retaken and, in 20 minutes from the time the signal was given, the Second corps was repulsed with a loss of 3,000 men, including many of its most promising officers, who were killed on the works. The men did not retreat far, but lay down within a few yards of the Confederate works, and with bayonets, tin cups and plates, began to entrench, skirmishing all the while. It fared no better with the Sixth corps. Its three divisions went forward, carried some advanced rifle-pits, assaulted the main line, and were met by a severe musketry fire and an enfilading artillery firc. They were repulsed with a loss of 800 killed and wounded, but gained positions at some points only 30 or 40 yards from the enemy's works, and held and entrenched them. On the right of the Sixth corps, the Eighteenth was obliged to form one division to the right to protect its flank. Martindale's and Brooks' divisions assaulted and were quickly driven back by a cross-fire of artillery and musketry, and desisted from further effort after a loss of about 1,000 men. In less than an hour the three corps had lost nearly 5,000 in killed and wounded. Warren, on the right, reported that he could not advance unless the troops on his left advanced at the same time. Wright said that if he advanced without a corresponding advance of Smith on his right he would be taken in flank and reverse, and he was waiting for Smith and Hancock to move, and Smith said he could not move unless Wright covered his left flank. General Meade ordered another assault, each corps to go forward without re gard to those on the nght or left, but it was not made, Hancock would not take the re sponsibility. Smith had all he could do in hold ing his own; Wright, also Hancock, merely transmitted the order to brigade and regimental commanders without enforcing it; and the men opened fire from their sheltered positions, with out an effort to advance. Meade gave a third order for an advance of the entire line. Smith positively refused to obey, as it meant but a wanton waste of life to attempt it. Wright and Hancock merely transmitted the order, and again the mcn complied with it only by renew ing fire from their positions. Grant got the
opinion of his corps commanders that further assault was inadvisable, and at 1.30 P.M, orders were given to entrench "with a view to moving against the enemy's works by regular ap proaches." Farther to the right Burnside with the Ninth corps and Warren with the Fifth, who were to support the main assault, attacked Early in the morning, occupied some of the positions taken from him on thc 2d, entrenched close up to Early's main line, and were about to assault, when they received orders to suspend attack. They had fought sharply during the morning, the Fifth corps losing about 500 killed and wounded, the Ninth corps about 800. Wil son's cavalry had a sharp engagement at Hawes' Shop, driving the enemy with some loss, and attacicing the left and rear of Heath's division: but failing to connect with Burnside, they with drew to Hawes' Shop. The loss of the Army of the Potomac for the entire day of 3 June was about 7,000 killed and wounded. All nig,ht of the 3d both armies were entrenching; no pickets could be thrown out, so close were the lines, between which lay many wounded. Some of the wounded were brought in, but it was not until the 7th that a truce was agreed upon, by which all could be removed, when exposure and starvation had transferred the greater part of them to the death-roll. Regular approaches were made by the Union lines, accompanied by constant and heavy slcirmishing; an assault gave no promise of success; and on the night of the 12th Grant withdrew to cross James River. Grant had 103,000 ((present for duty" at Cold Harbor. His loss (1-12 June) was 1,845 killed; 9,077 wounded; 1,816 missing; an aggregate of 12,738. Lee had not under his command more than 65,000 men. His loss cannot be accurately given, but probably did not exceed 2,600 lcilled and wounded. General Grant, in his (Personal Memoirs,' says: "I have always regretted that the last assault on Cold Harbor was ever made. No advantage whatever was gained to compen sate for the heavy loss we sustained." Consult 'Official Records, (Vol. XX XVI) ; Grant, U. S., (Personal Memoirs) (New York 1895); Walker, F. A., (History of the Second Army Corps' ; Humphreys, A. A., (The Virginia Cam paign of 1864-65' (New York 1883); Penny packer, I. R., (Life of General Meade' ; (Bat tles and Leaders of the Civil War' (New York 1887).