Molineux's Stand

Early in the afternoon of the battle, Colonel Edward Molineux's Union brigade held its position after General Philip H. Sheridan's 11:40 am assault achieved temporary success but the front line then came under heavy artillery fire and a fierce Confederate counterattack by General Robert Rodes's infantry. In this sector, General Cuvier Grover's division of four brigades numbering 8,000 men led the attack, and after initial success three of Grover's brigades were driven back in great confusion while Molineux's brigade held firm. Molineux's line occupied the Middle Field and extended into a ravine, where it was attacked by General Phil Cook's Georgia Brigade of Rodes's division and elements of General John B. Gordon's division. The Georgians struck Molineux's left flank in the ravine and captured two battle flags and 95 prisoners, but Molineux maintained the integrity of his command and pulled back a short distance to a position in the First Woods. There the 131st New York held the right in a section of woods projecting into the Middle Field, facing southward, while the rest of the brigade on the left faced west toward the field. When Cook's Georgians charged the woodline, Molineux's men opened fire, and the 131st New York fired into the flank and rear of the attackers, forcing them to abandon the attack. Although his ammunition was running low, Molineux held the line until reinforcements relieved him. During this fighting, three members of the 11th Indiana earned the Medal of Honor, including flagbearer Sergeant Charles H. Seston, who waved the flag to help his commander reform his men and, after being hit by enemy fire, tossed the flag in the air, shouted "Catch the colors!", and fell dead.

Virginia · United States