On the afternoon of July 2, Union infantry in Col. Strong Vincent's brigade rushed to defend this hill and quickly built crude shelters from stones lying about, but the Confederates closed in so fast that there was little time for construction. That night, expecting renewed fighting, the Federals expanded their breastworks as Confederate soldiers across the valley heard stones dropping into place all night. The growing range and accuracy of Civil War weapons had made prolonged exposure to enemy fire extremely dangerous, leading both armies to rely increasingly on rifle-pits, trenches, and breastworks, so much so that by 1864 a soldier could be said to march with a rifled musket in one hand and a shovel in the other. Though these defenses were restacked and rehabilitated many times after the battle, remains of the works still survive here. Lt. Col. David Jenkins of the 116th New York Volunteers recalled, "We worked nearly the whole night on the 'Stone wall.' I first proposed the plan, and put my men to work at it, and the other regts. of the brigade did the same."