The most determined and obstinate efforts for success were now made on both sides, as the position at Hawe’s Shop had become of very great importance on account of the designs of both Lee and Grant.  Lee wished to hold this ground while he manoeuvred his army to the line of the Tolopotomy, where he could cover the roads to Richmond, while Grant, though first sending me out merely to discover by a strong reconnoissance the movements of the enemy, saw the value of the place to cover his new base at the White House, and also to give us possession of a direct road to Cold Harbor.  Hawe’s Shop remained in our possession finally, for late in the evening Custer’s brigade was dismounted and formed in close column in rear of Gregg, and while it assaulted through an opening near the centre of his line, the other two brigades advanced and carried the temporary works.  The enemy’s dead and many of his wounded fell into our hands; also a considerable number of prisoners, from whom we learned that Longstreet’s and Ewell’s corps were but four miles to the rear.

The battle was a decidedly severe one, the loss on each side being heavy in proportion to the number of troops engaged.  This fight took place almost immediately in front of our infantry, which, during the latter part of the contest, was busily occupied in throwing up intrenchments.  Late in the afternoon I reported to General Meade the presence of the enemy’s infantry, and likewise that Hampton’s and Fitzhugh Lee’s divisions were in my front also, and asked, at the same time; that some of our infantry, which was near at hand, be sent to my assistance.  I could not convince Meade that anything but the enemy’s horse was fighting us, however, and he declined to push out the foot-troops, who were much wearied by night marches.  It has been ascertained since that Meade’s conclusions were correct in so far as they related to the enemy’s infantry; but the five cavalry brigades far outnumbered my three, and it is to be regretted that so much was risked in holding a point that commanded the roads to Cold Harbor and Meadow bridge, when there was at hand a preponderating number of Union troops which might have been put into action.  However, Gregg’s division and Custer’s brigade were equal to the situation, all unaided as they were till dark, when Torbert and Merritt came on the ground.  The contest not only gave us the crossroads, but also removed our uncertainty regarding Lee’s movements, clearly demonstrating that his army was retiring by its right flank, so that it might continue to interpose between Grant and the James River; as well as cover the direct route to Richmond.