The Lightening Brigade of the 2nd Division spearheaded an attack between Redoubts No. 13 and No. 16 as artillery covered all the approaches. At 5 p.m. General Long ordered the Second Division forward. As Long's men charged, bands of freed slaves who had joined the Federals during the march rushed ahead with axes and, ignoring enemy bullets, chopped holes through the abatis and the palisade wall. The dismounted line of about 1,500 officers and men slowly crested the ridge and moved at a walk toward the Confederate works 600 yards away, then broke into a run, cheered wildly, and fired their Spencer repeaters, which gave them seven times the firepower of their opponents. Confederate riflemen inflicted losses as swampy ground and the palisade hindered the attackers. When the attackers reached the parapet, smoke enshrouded both sides and the defenders ceased fire for a moment, saving their fusillade for those who swung onto the wall. After a brief silence, Union soldiers crossed the parapet and firing blazed again. Corporal John Booth of the 4th Ohio Cavalry, the first to reach the works, was killed instantly, and soon afterward Sergeant John Morgan of the 123rd Illinois Infantry planted the stars and stripes on the Confederate works.