His whole cavalry force galloped with him and swept down upon the defenders.
Nor did Ashby lack support.

The Acadians led by Taylor swung forward on a run, and a battery, coming at the double quick, unlimbered and opened fire.

Jackson had directed all, he had brought up the converging lines, and the whole Northern rear guard, two thousand cavalry, some infantry and a battery, were caught.

Just before them lay the little village of Middletown, and in an instant they were driven into its streets, where they were raked by shot and shell from the cannon, while the rifles of the cavalry and of the Louisiana troops swept them with bullets.
Again the Northern soldiers, brave and tenacious though they might be, could make no stand against the terrible rush of Jackson's victorious and superior numbers.

They had no such leading as their foes.