The remainder of Winder’s line had meanwhile met with a decided check.  The enemy along the hollow road was strongly posted.  Both guns and skirmishers were hidden by the embankment; and as the mists of the morning cleared away, and the sun, rising in splendour above the mountains, flooded the valley with light, a long line of hostile infantry, with colours flying and gleaming arms, was seen advancing steadily into battle.  The Federal Commander, observing his opportunity, had, with rare good judgment, determined on a counterstroke.  The Louisiana brigade was moving up in support of Winder, but it was still distant.  The two regiments which supported the Confederate batteries were suffering from the heavy artillery fire, and the skirmishers were already falling back.  “Below,” says General Taylor, “Ewell was hurrying his men over the bridge; but it looked as if we should be doubled up on him ere he could cross and develop much strength.  Jackson was on the road, a little in advance of his line, where the fire was hottest, with the reins on his horse’s neck.  Summoning a young officer from his staff, be pointed up the mountain.  The head of my approaching column was turned short up the slope, and within the forest came speedily to a path which came upon the gorge opposite the battery.* (* Destruction and Reconstruction page 90.  Jackson’s order to the staff officer (Major Hotchkiss) was brief:  “Sweeping with his hand to the eastward, and then towards the Lewis House, where the Federal guns were raking the advance, he said:  “Take General Taylor around and take that battery."’)

But, as Taylor’s regiments disappeared within the forest, Winder’s brigade was left for the moment isolated, bearing up with difficulty against overwhelming numbers.  Ewell’s division had found great difficulty in crossing the South River.  The bridge, a construction of planks laid on the running gear of waggons, had proved unserviceable.  At the deepest part there was a step of two feet between two axletrees of different height; and the boards of the higher stage, except one, had broken from their fastenings.  As the men passed over, several were thrown from their treacherous platform into the rushing stream, until at length they refused to trust themselves except to the centre plank.  The column of fours was thus reduced to single file; men, guns, and waggons were huddled in confusion on the river banks; and the officers present neglected to secure the footway, and refused, despite the order of Major Dabney, to force their men through the breast-high ford.

So, while his subordinates were trifling with the time, which, if Fremont was to be defeated as well as Shields, was of such extreme importance, Jackson saw his old brigade assailed by superior numbers in front and flank.  The Federals, matching the rifles of the Confederate marksmen with weapons no less deadly, crossed over the road and bore down upon the guns.  The 7th Louisiana, the rear regiment of Taylor’s column, was hastily called up, and dashed forward in a vain attempt to stem the tide.