At 3 o’clock on the morning of May 1, I moved the brigade to Hamilton’s Crossing, left in front, and thence to the Plank road, some 7 or 8 miles, where I was ordered to prepare for immediate action, to support the forces of General Anderson, who were engaging the enemy. Being in rear of General Colquitt’s brigade, I was directed to connect with him and move as he moved. At this point the men were ordered to take off and pile their knapsacks, and, facing by the rear rank, I moved the brigade across an open field to a public road, and then down it about I mile, where we rested in a wood till late in the evening, when I received orders to march back to the Plank road, and, after reaching it, to halt the brigade and send back for the knapsacks. Having obtained the baggage, I moved down the Plank road about 2 miles and bivouacked for the night.
Early on the morning of May 2, the brigade was moved forward on the Plank road about 1 mile, and thence, taking a road to the left, passed the furnace and formed in line of battle, after a march of some 10 or 12 miles, beyond the Turnpike road, just above its junction with the Plank road and in rear of the enemy. The brigade was formed perpendicular to the road and on the left of it, with the right regiment (the Third Alabama) resting on the road and connecting with General Doles’, which was on the right of the road.