Confederate forces quickly exploited the gap between Manson and Cruft as Col. Benjamin J. Hill moved his men across the field in double-quick under Union artillery fire, and though shot and shell struck their mark, his veterans closed ranks and kept advancing. At the same time, Col. Thomas McCrary's Texans launched another assault on the Federal line along Duncannon Road, and the renewed attack proved too much for Cruft's exhausted men. The 12th Indiana and 18th Kentucky on the west end of Cruft's line gave way as the Texans leaped over the fence and poured a deadly volley into the Hoosiers and Kentuckians. Capt. George Bowman of the 12th Indiana then ordered a retreat. The Union line was cut to pieces, the 18th Kentucky lost its colonel, and several other officers were killed or wounded. As the inexperienced Union troops withdrew, the retreat collapsed into panic. Cruft sent his last two regiments to block Hill's assault, but the 95th Ohio, already battered at Mt. Zion Church, broke before firing a shot, and when the Buckeyes fled, the 66th Indiana was caught in a crossfire and also ran to the rear. The race for Richmond had begun.