During the Battle of Williamsburg on May 5, 1862, as fighting raged along the Bloody Ravine and in front of Fort Magruder, Union commander Joseph Hooker sought to turn the flank of the Confederate defenses. Convinced the right flank was unoccupied, he sent engineer officer Lt. Miles D. McAlester to scout the position. McAlester reached Quarterpath Road near Allen’s Wharf and found that Redoubt 1 at Tutter’s Mill Pond appeared empty, and he reported that Quarterpath Road offered an excellent approach to the Confederate rear. After Hooker and Samuel P. Heintzelmen received this news, William H. Emory was sent with his cavalry brigade to Quarterpath Road to await reinforcements and then lead an assault on the flank. The 3rd and 4th Maine Infantry regiments, about 2,000 men, joined Emory near Allen’s Wharf, and the rain-soaked advance began at 3:30 p.m. When Emory reached Whitaker’s Mill Pond, he sent part of Col. William W. Averell’s cavalry up Quarterpath Road to reconnoiter. The patrol also reported Redoubt 1 unoccupied, but after considerable deliberation, Emory called off the advance because of the nature of the locality, the lateness of the hour, and the want of a guide. Although an attack here could have turned the Confederate flank, the engagement at Williamsburg was already nearing its dramatic conclusion at Redoubt 11 in York County near New Quarter Park.
