The receding of the right of the line also necessitated the falling-back of Williams.  The latter officer had, moreover, been for some time quite short of ammunition; and though Graham had filled the place of a part of his line, and had held it for nearly two hours, repeatedly using the bayonet, Williams was obliged to give way before Stuart’s last assault.  But Graham was not the man readily to accept defeat; and, as Williams’s line melted away, he found himself isolated, and in great danger of being surrounded.  Gen. Birney fortunately became aware of the danger before it was too late; and, hastily gathering a portion of Hayman’s brigade, he gallantly led them to the charge in person; and, under cover of this opportune diversion, Graham contrived to withdraw in good order, holding McGowan severely in check.

The Union troops now establish their second line near Fairview.  The Confederates’ progress is arrested for the nonce.  It is somewhat after eight A.M.  A lull, premonitory only of a still fiercer tempest, supervenes.

But the lull is of short duration.  Re-forming their ranks as well as may be on the south of the road, the Confederates again assault the Union second line, on the crest at Fairview.  But the height is not readily carried.  The slope is wooded, and affords good cover for an assault.  But the artillery on the summit can now use its canister; and the Union troops have been rallied and re-formed in good order.  The onset is met and driven back, amid the cheers of the victorious Federals.

Nor are Stuart’s men easily discouraged.  Failure only seems to invigorate these intrepid legions to fresh endeavors.  Colston’s and Jones’s brigades, with Paxton’s, Ramseur’s, and Doles’ of the third line, have re-enforced the first, and passed it, and now attack Williams with redoubled fury in his Fairview breastworks, while Birney sustains him with his last man and cartridge.  The Confederate troops take all advantage possible of the numerous ravines in our front; but the batteries at Fairview pour a heavy and destructive fire of shell and case into their columns as they press on.  Every inch of ground is contested by our divisions, which hold their footing at Fairview with unflinching tenacity.

Meanwhile Doles, moving under cover of a hill which protects him from the Federal batteries, and up a little branch coming from the rear of Fairview, takes in reverse the left of Williams’s line, which has become somewhat separated from Geary, (whose position is thus fast becoming untenable,) moves up, and deploys upon the open ground at Chancellorsville.  But he finds great difficulty in maintaining his footing, and would have at once been driven back, when Paxton’s (old Stonewall) brigade comes up to his support on the double-quick.  Jackson’s spirit for a while seems to carry all before it; the charge of these two brigades against our batteries fairly bristles with audacity; but our guns are too well served, and the gallant lines are once again decimated and hustled back to the foot of the crest.