opposite crest, would have to unlimber under fire at effective range, and the marsh below, with its tangled undergrowth and abattis, could hardly fail to throw the attacking infantry into disorder.  Along the whole of Sykes’ line only two weak points were apparent.  On his left, as already described, a broad tract of woodland, covering nearly the whole valley, and climbing far up the slope on the Federal side, afforded a covered approach from one crest to the other; on his right, a plantation of young pines skirted the crest of McGehee’s Hill, and ran for some distance down the slope.  Under shelter of the timber it was possible that the Confederate infantry might mass for the assault; but once in the open, unaided by artillery, their further progress would be difficult.  Under ordinary circumstances a thorough reconnaissance, followed by a carefully planned attack, would have been the natural course of the assailant.  The very strength of the position was in favour of the Confederates.  The creek which covered the whole front rendered a counterstroke impracticable, and facilitated a flank attack.  Holding the right bank of the creek with a portion of his force, Jackson might have thrown the remainder against McGehee’s Hill, and, working round the flank, have repeated the tactics of Kernstown, Winchester, and Port Republic.

But the situation permitted no delay.  A.P.  Hill was hard pressed.  The sun was already sinking.  McClellan’s reserves might be coming up, and if the battle was to be won, it must be won by direct attack.  There was no time for further reconnaissance, no time for manoeuvre.

Jackson’s dispositions were soon made.  D.H.  Hill, eastward of the Old Cold Harbour road, was to advance against McGehee’s Hill, overlapping, if possible, the enemy’s line.  Ewell was to strike in on Hill’s right, moving through the tract of woodland; Lawton, Whiting, and Winder, in the order named, were to fill the gap between Ewell’s right and the left of A.P.  Hill’s division, and the artillery was ordered into position opposite McGehee’s Hill.

4 P.M.

D.H.  Hill, already in advance, was the first to move.  Pressing forward from the woods, under a heavy fire of artillery, his five brigades, the greater part in first line, descended to the creek, already occupied by his skirmishers.  In passing through the marshy thickets, where the Federal shells were bursting on every hand, the confusion became great.  The brigades crossed each other’s march.  Regiments lost their brigades, and companies their regiments.  At one point the line was so densely crowded that whole regiments were forced to the rear; at others there were wide intervals, and effective supervision became impossible.  Along the edge of the timber the fire was fierce, for the Union regulars were distant no more than four hundred yards; the smoke rolled heavily through the thickets, and on the right and centre, where the fight was hottest, the impetuosity of both officers and men carried them forward up the slope.  An attempt to deliver a charge with the whole line failed in combination, and such portion of the division as advanced, scourged by both musketry and artillery, fell back before the fire of the unshaken Federals.