 At this same time, Hancock was reporting from the right flank that Early's men had pulled back from his front.Grant absorbed these two observations and concluded that the Confederates were shifting their men from west to east, opening an opportunity for an attack.He ordered Hancock to cross the Po and attack the Confederates' left flank, driving them back toward Burnside's position near the Ni River, while the rest of his command, in the center, watched for an opening to attack there as well.