d
three infantry divisions, with parts of others, under the command
of Generals Kershaw, G. W. Custis Lee, Pickett, Barton, DuBose,
Corse, Hunton, and others of the most distinguished officers of
the Confederate Army. Commodore John Randolph Tucker, formerly of
the United States navy, commanding the Marine Brigade, was posted
on the face of the heights on Ewell's front. Colonel Crutchfield,
who had been recently in charge of the artillery at Richmond,
commanded a large brigade of artillerymen serving as infantry.

About 5 P.M. the two divisions of the Sixth descended from the hills,
in a single line, and moved steadily across the valley in the face
of a destructive fire, with muskets and ammunition boxes over the
shoulder, the men waded the swollen stream. Though the water was
from two to four feet deep, the creek was crossed without a halt.
Many fell on the plain and in the water, and those who reached the
west bank were in some disorder. The command, was, however, given
by the officers accompanying the troops to storm the heights, and
it was obeyed. Not until within a few yards of the enemy, while
ascending the heights, did our men commence firing. The enemy's
advance line gave way, and an easy victory seemed about to be
achieved, but before the crest was reached, Ewell with his massed
troops made an impetuous charge upon and through our line. Our
centre was completely broken and a disastrous defeat for us seemed
imminent. The large column of Confederate infantry now, however,
became exposed to the renewed fire from Wright's massed artillery
on the hills east of the valley.

The right and left of the charging line met with better success,
driving back all in their front, and, wholly disregarding the defeat
of the centre, persisted in advancing, each wheeling as on a pivot
in the centre, until the enemy's troops were completely enveloped
and subjected to a deadly fire on both flanks, as well as from the
artillery in front. The flooded stream forbade an advance on our
unguarded batteries. The cavalry, in a simultaneous attack, about
this time overthrew all before them on the Confederate right and
rear. Ewell's officers gallantly exerted themselves to avert
disaster, and bravely tried to form lines to the right and left to
repel the now furious flank attacks. This, however, proved
impossible. Our men were pushed up firing to within a few feet of
the massed Confederates, rendering any reformation or change