Colonel Wainwright, Chief of Artillery of the First Corps, gave them orders not to attempt to retreat if attacked, but to fight the guns to the last.
The enemy advanced up the ravine which was specially commanded by Stevens' battery.

Weidrick, Ricketts, and Stevens played upon the approaching line energetically.

The rebel left and centre fell back, but the right managed to obtain shelter from houses and undulating ground, and came on impetuously, charging over Von Gilsa's brigade, and driving it up the hill, through the batteries.
In doing so Hays says the darkness and smoke saved his men from a terrible slaughter.

Weidrick's battery was captured, and two of Ricketts' guns were spiked.

The enemy, in making this movement, exposed their left flank to Stevens' battery, which poured a terrible fire of double canister into their ranks.