They could not contend against Ramseur in front, and O'Neill on the flank, at the same time.
Under these circumstances it became a pretty serious question how to extricate the First Corps and save its artillery before it was entirely surrounded and captured.
Biddle, Morrow, and Dana were all forced back from the ridge they had defended so long, which bordered Willoughby's Run.

Each brigade was flanked, and Stone's men under Dana were assailed in front and on both flanks.

Yet even then Daniel speaks of the severe fighting which took place before he could win the position.
What was left of the First Corps after all this slaughter rallied on Seminary Ridge.

Many of the men entered a semi-circular rail entrenchment which I had caused to be thrown up early in the day, and held that for a time by lying down and firing over the pile of rails.

The enemy were now closing in on us from the south, west, and north, and still no orders came to retreat.