Instructions were issued to the latter, who at once proceeded to form three storming columns under Gen. Neill, Col.  Grant, and Col.  Seaver, and supported them by the fire of his division artillery.

Sedgwick at the same time ordered out from Newton’s division two other columns, one under Col.  Spear, consisting of two regiments, supported by two more under Gen. Shaler, and one under Col.  Johns of equal size, to move on the plank road, and to the right of it, flanked by a line under Col.  Burnham, with four regiments, on the left of the plank road.  This line advanced manfully at a double-quick against the rifle-pits, neither halting nor firing a shot, despite the heavy fire they encountered, until they had driven the enemy from their lower line of works, while the columns pressed boldly forward to the crest, and carried the works in their rear.  All the guns and many prisoners were captured.  This was a mettlesome assault, and as successful as it was brief and determined.

Howe’s columns, in whose front the Confederate skirmishers occupied the railroad-cutting and embankment, while Hays and two regiments of Barksdale were on Lee’s and adjacent hills, as soon as the firing on his right was heard, moved to the assault with the bayonet; Neill and Grant pressing straight for Cemetery hill, which, though warmly received, they carried without any check.  They then faced to the right, and, with Seaver sustaining their left, carried the works on Marye’s heights, capturing guns and prisoners wholesale.

A stand was subsequently attempted by the Confederates on several successive crests, but without avail.

The loss of the Sixth Corps in the assault on the Fredericksburg heights was not far from a thousand men, including Cols.  Spear and Johns, commanding two of the storming columns.

The assault of Howe falls in no wise behind the one made by Newton.  The speedy success of both stands out in curious contrast to the deadly work of Dec. 13.  “So rapid had been the final movement on Marye’s hill, that Hays and Wilcox, to whom application had been made for succor, had not time to march troops from Taylor’s and Stansbury’s to Barksdale’s aid.” (Hotchkiss and Allan.)

The Confederates were now cut in two:  Wilcox and Hays were left north of the plank road, but Hays retreated round the head of Sedgwick’s column, and rejoined Early.  Wilcox, who, on hearing of Sedgwick’s manoeuvres Sunday morning, had hurried with a portion of his force to Barksdale’s assistance at Taylor’s, but had arrived too late to participate in the action, on ascertaining Sedgwick’s purpose, retired slowly down the plank road, and skirmished with the latter’s head of column.  And he made so determined a stand near Guest’s, that considerable time was consumed in brushing it away before Sedgwick could hold on his course.