By pursuing them, the guards were thrown into the rear of the first regiment, from which they were concealed by the unevenness of the ground, and by a skirt of wood.
Greene was himself on the left, and witnessed the misfortune without being able to remedy it.

His militia being entirely routed, the flight of one-fourth of his continental troops would most probably decide the fate of the day.

Unwilling to risk his remaining three regiments, only one of which could be safely relied on, without a man to cover their retreat should the event prove unfortunate, he ordered Colonel Greene of Virginia to withdraw his regiment from the line, and to take a position in the rear, for the purpose of affording a rallying point, and of covering the retreat of the two regiments which still continued in the field.
The guards were soon called from the pursuit of the second Maryland regiment, and led by Lieutenant Colonel Stuart against the first.
About this time Webster, finding himself overpowered by the first Maryland regiment, then commanded by Colonel Gunby, and by Kirkwood's company and the remaining regiment of Virginia, with whom he was engaged at the same time, had in a great measure withdrawn from the action, and retired across a ravine into an adjoining wood.

This critical respite enabled Gunby to provide for the danger in his rear.
Facing about, he met the guards, and a very animated fire took place on both sides, during which the Americans continued to advance.
In this critical moment, Lieutenant Colonel Washington, who was drawn to this part of the field by the vivacity of the fire, made a furious charge upon the guards and broke their ranks.

At this juncture, Gunby's horse was killed under him, and the command devolved on Lieutenant Colonel Howard.