As Milroy attacked the Confederate defenses, Gen. Robert Schenck, on Milroy's right, advanced more cautiously, fearing he might be flanked even though he had an opportunity to outflank the Confederates. Schenck moved to a ridge of higher ground 700 yards to the left front and deployed his men, including cannon commanded by Capt. William L. De Beck. While the infantry maintained brisk fire, De Beck's guns dueled with Confederate artillery on the ridge, including guns commanded by Capt. John Brockenbrough 650 yards to the left. A southern infantryman recalled the combined rifle and cannon fire as an unimaginable shower of ball and grape. As Milroy and Schenck approached, Gen. Richard S. Ewell sent the 31st Virginia and later other reinforcements to strengthen the line. Defenders remembered repeated attempts to break through and said as many as four charges were repulsed, but those attacks came from Milroy's front while Schenck sent only skirmishers. Schenck later reported that he eventually believed the time had come to attack successfully on this wing and to order a charge that would sweep around the enemy's left flank, but he acted too late. Disturbed by setbacks and pressure on the other end of the battlefield, Fremont ordered a general withdrawal. Milroy said he was astonished and believed that if Schenck had advanced aggressively they could have swept the battlefield and captured Jackson's army, but the chance to break the Confederate left was gone. Schenck and Milroy fell back, some men cursing the retreat, and the Confederates held the ridgeline and the field.