long line, overlapping the Confederate left, moved steadily across the three hundred yards of open ground.  The shocks of corn, and some ragged patches of scrub timber, gave cover to the skirmishers, but in the closed ranks behind the accurate fire of the Southern riflemen made fearful ravages.  Still the enemy pressed forward; the skirmishers darted from bush to bush; the regiments on the right swung round, enveloping the Confederate line; and the 1st Virginia, despite the entreaties of its officers, broke and scattered.* (* O.R. volume 12 part 2 page 201.) Assailed in front from the field and in flank from the forest, the men would stand no longer, and flying back through the woodland, left the way open to the very rear of the position.  The 42nd Virginia, outflanked in turn, was compelled to give ground; and the Federals, without waiting to reform, swept rapidly through the wood, and bore down upon the flank of Taliaferro’s brigade and Winder’s batteries.

And now occurred a scene of terrible confusion.  So swift was the onslaught that the first warning received by the Confederates on the highroad was a sudden storm of musketry, the loud cheers of the enemy, and the rush of fugitives from the forest.  Attacked simultaneously in front, flank and rear, with the guns and limbers entangled among the infantry, Winder’s division was subjected to an ordeal of which it was without experience.  The batteries, by Jackson’s order, were at once withdrawn, and not a gun was lost.  The infantry, however, did not escape so lightly.  The Federals, emboldened by the flight of the artillery, charged forward with reckless courage.  Every regimental commander in Garnett’s brigade was either killed or wounded.  Taliaferro’s brigade was driven back, and Early’s left was broken.  Some regiments attempted to change front, others retreated in disorder.  Scattered groups, plying butt and bayonet, endeavoured to stay the rout.  Officers rushed into the melee, and called upon those at hand to follow.  Men were captured and recaptured, and, for a few moments, the blue and grey were mingled in close conflict amid the smoke.  But the isolated efforts of the Confederates were of no avail.  The first line was irretrievably broken; the troops were mingled in a tumultuous mass, through which the shells tore shrieking; the enemy’s bayonets were surging forward on every side, and his well-served batteries, firing over the heads of their own infantry, played heavily on the road.  But fortunately for the Virginians the Federal right wing was unsupported; and although the Light Division was still at some distance from the field, the Stonewall Brigade was already advancing.  Breaking through the rout to the left of the highroad, these five staunch regiments, undismayed by the disaster, opened a heavy fire.  The Federals, although still superior in numbers at the decisive point, had lost all order in their successful charge; to meet this fresh onset they halted and drew together, and then Jackson, with wonderful energy, restored the battle.