An Attack Repulsed

When the Federals attacked, the 25th Ohio and 75th Ohio assaulted this position on the Confederate left, defended by the 52nd, 58th, and 44th Virginia Infantry, with the 52nd on the far left. Union soldiers initially succeeded as they slogged up the hill and pushed Confederate pickets from the lower slopes, but when they reached the main Confederate line they were met by rapid, intense musket fire and their advance stalled. The northerners held their ground for the rest of the battle. Farther along the ridgeline, the 82nd and 32nd Ohio, sent by Union Gen. Robert H. Milroy, engaged the Confederates and, after being pushed back by southern reinforcements, climbed the hill again and approached this part of the line. Through thick smoke, the Confederates suddenly saw a Yankee flag just 50 yards away. After an exchange of musket fire, the Confederates broke in confusion, but Confederate Col. W. C. Scott of the 44th Virginia rushed forward bareheaded and appealed to the retreating soldiers not to let the enemy drive them from their own soil. The Virginians immediately turned back, fired a deadly volley into the advancing enemy, and sent them reeling. As the northern troops retreated, Scott's men gave three cheers for old Virginia.

Virginia · United States