Even before the first Confederate attempt to seize the Coaling sputtered out, Stonewall Jackson ordered Gen. Richard Taylor's Louisiana brigade, the "shock troops" of his army, to storm the height. The Louisianans advanced in two groups: Taylor, guided by Jedediah Hotchkiss, led the 6th Louisiana on a swinging advance into the wooded foothills, while Col. Henry B. Kelly led the 8th Louisiana, the 9th Louisiana, and Wheat's Battalion, the "Louisiana Tigers," on a more direct path through the woods. Without a guide, Kelly steered by the sound of the guns on the Coaling as thickets and heavy growth slowed his march and Union cannon fired blindly into the forest. After a tortuous approach, Kelly's men halted just below the crest, still concealed in the trees. Taylor and the 6th Louisiana, having followed a small cleared path before entering the woods, crossed behind Kelly's regiments and took position on the left. Reunited and aligned directly against the powerful cannon on the rising ground, the Louisianans abandoned any move to the flank because of the plight of Winder's Confederates on the river plain. After Winder sent word urging an attack to relieve pressure on his front, Taylor ordered an immediate assault, and with a mighty shout the Louisianans surged forward down the slope.