After Cornwallis ordered Webster to attack, he commanded Lieutenant Colonel Lord Rawdon to advance on his left. Through heavy fire, they drove back the 2nd Maryland Brigade until General Baron De Kalb halted the British charge and led a counterattack. For almost an hour, a bitter struggle raged with neither side able to gain the advantage. Cornwallis then brought up his reserve, the 71st Regiment and loyal militia, but the Continentals held until their center gave way. The entire British army then assailed the Americans from front, flank, and rear, forcing surviving patriots to escape as best they could.