In a desperate attempt to stem the onward rush of Confederates, Colonel Stephen Thomas was ordered to sacrifice 1,000 soldiers from Vermont, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. The fight that followed was a "vortex of hell," one veteran later claimed. In the smoke and fog it quickly became a hand-to-hand fight. Rifles became clubs, bayonets were used, and both sides contested for control. The fighting was fiercest around the flags of the Eighth Vermont, but they were not taken. The regiment lost 110 of 164 men, but Thomas' command had stalled the Confederate onslaught for 30 minutes. Three color bearers were killed defending their flags.