As a member of Congress he was very influential in bringing on the Rebellion.] The batteries under Major McGilvery, which lined the cross road below the Peach Orchard, were very effective, but were very much shattered.

Kershaw captured them at one time but was driven off temporarily by a gallant charge of the 141st Pennsylvania of Graham's brigade, who retook the guns, which were then brought off by hand.
Bigelow was ordered by Major McGilvery to sacrifice his battery to give the others time to form a new line.

He fought with _fixed prolonge_ until the enemy were within six feet of him, and then retired with the loss of three officers and twenty-eight men.
Phillips' battery, which adjoined his, had a similar experience.
McLaws bears testimony to the admirable manner with which this artillery was served.

He says one shell killed and wounded thirty men, out of a company of thirty-seven.
The capture of the Peach Orchard necessarily brought the enemy directly on Humphreys' left flank and De Trobriand's right.

The disaster then became irremediable, because every force thrown in after this period, had to contend with a direct fire in front, and an enfilading fire from the right.
While the Peach Orchard was assailed, several combats took place in the vicinity, which had a general relation to the defence of Sickles' line.