At about this time, however, Gen. Emory's line of skirmishers was driven in on the right by the rebels, who appeared in large numbers coming through the woods. They soon reached the open ground, and moved in three lines of battle to the attack. Our battery and infantry opened with terrible effect, doing great slaughter with grape and canister, while the rebel artillery, being in the woods and in a bad position, did scarcely any damage. Benedict's brigade , on the left, was first engaged, soon followed by Gen. Dwight's and McMillan's. The fight was terrific.
Old soldiers say it was never surpassed for desperation.
Not withstanding the terrible havoc in their ranks, the rebels pressed fiercely on, slowly pushing the men of the 10th corps back up the hill, but not breaking their line of battle. A sudden and bold dash of the rebels on the right gave them possession of Taylor's Battery and forced our lines still further back. Now came the grand coup de main. The 19th corps on arriving at the top of the hill suddenly fled off over the hill and passed through the lines of General Smith. The rebels were now but in two lines of battle, the first having been almost annihilated by General Emory, what remained being forced back into the second line.