nine o'clock
Heth 's division led the corps . We descended from a range of high hills , having in our front an extensive region dotted over with farmhouses and with fertile fields interspersed with groves . The march continued ; steadily eastward went the corps . At nine o'clock the spasmodic patter of rifles was heard in front . We were halted . Haskell 's battalion filed to the right , deployed , and the column marched on , with the sharp-shooters moving as skirmishers parallel with the brigade . The firing in front increased .