A portion of Fremont's army, but not all of it, just when it was needed most, was sent to the charge.

Led by the pickets and skirmishers they came forward gallantly, a long line of glittering bayonets.

In the thick woods on their flank lay three Southern regiments, ambushed and not yet stirring.
No sunlight penetrated there to show their danger to the soldiers who were breasting the slope.
Harry foresaw all, and he drew a long breath for brave men who were marching to a certain fate.
"Why don't they look! Why don't they look!" he found himself exclaiming.
The next instant the entire wood burst into flame.

Picking their aim and firing at short range, the Southern riflemen sent sheet after sheet of bullets into the charging ranks.

It was more than human blood and flesh could stand, and the Northern regiments gave way.