At 11:00 a.m. on July 21, 1861, the Rhode Island Battery of the 2nd Brigade under Burnside, in Hunter's Second Division of the Army of Northeastern Virginia, U.S.A., commanded by Capt. William H. Reynolds and equipped with six 13-pounder James rifled guns, went forward into line of action as Confederate forces advanced to within 20 yards. A Union sergeant recalled fearing the battery was lost until the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment made a fierce charge with a scream and drove the Rebel flag out of sight under the hill.