(Map of positions on August 29th, 1862.)

1 P.M.

But the fresh attack was made with no better concert than those which preceded it.  Kearney, on the right, near Bull Run, was held at bay by Jackson’s guns, and Hooker and Reno advanced alone.

As the Federals moved forward the grey skirmishers fell back through the Groveton wood, and scarcely had they reached the railroad before the long blue lines came crashing through the undergrowth.  Hill’s riflemen, lying down to load, and rising only to fire, poured in their deadly volleys at point-blank range.  The storm of bullets, shredding leaves and twigs, stripped the trees of their verdure, and the long dry grass, ignited by the powder sparks, burst into flames between the opposing lines.  But neither flames nor musketry availed to stop Hooker’s onset.  Bayonets flashed through the smoke, and a gallant rush placed the stormers on the embankment.  The Confederates reeled back in confusion, and men crowded round the colours to protect them.  But assistance was at hand.  A fierce yell and a heavy volley, and the regiments of the second line surged forward, driving back the intruders, and closing the breach.  Yet the Federal ranks reformed; the wood rang with cheers, and a fresh brigade advanced to the assault.  Again the parapet was carried; again the Southern bayonets cleared the front.  Hooker’s leading brigade, abandoning the edge of the wood, had already given ground.  Reno’s regiments, suffering fearful slaughter, with difficulty maintained their place; and Hill, calling once more upon his reserves, sent in Pender to the counterstroke.  Passing by the right of Thomas, who, with Field, had borne the brunt of the last attack, Pender crossed the railroad, and charged into the wood.  Many of the men in the fighting-line joined in the onward movement.  The Federals were borne back; the brigades in rear were swept away by the tide of fugitives; the wood was cleared, and a battery near by was deserted by the gunners.

Then Pender, received with a heavy artillery fire from the opposite heights, moved boldly forward across the open.  But the counterstroke had been pushed too far.  The line faltered; hostile infantry appeared on either flank, and as the Confederates fell back to the railroad, the enemy came forward in pursuit.  Grover’s brigade of Hooker’s division had hitherto been held in reserve, sheltered by a roll of the land opposite that portion of the front which was held by Thomas.

3 P.M.

It was now directed to attack.  “Move slowly forward,” were the orders which Grover gave to his command, “until the enemy opens fire.  Then advance rapidly, give them one volley, and then the bayonet.”  The five regiments moved steadily through the wood in a single line.  When they reached the edge they saw immediately before them the red earth of the embankment, at this point ten feet high and lined with riflemen.  There was