A concentrated artillery fire was brought to bear on Gibbon, Early sent Hays' brigade from Marye's Hill to meet him, and Wilcox's brigade came up from Banks' Ford for the same purpose, so that he was obliged to fall back.
It was now 10 A.M., and there was no time to be lost.

General Warren, who was in camp to represent Hooker, urged an immediate assault.

This advice was followed.

Newton formed two columns of assault and one deployed line in the centre, and Howe three deployed lines on the left.
Colonel Johns, of the 7th Massachusetts, who was a graduate of West Point, led one of these columns directly against Marye's Hill, with two regiments of Eustis' brigade, supported by the other two regiments, deployed, while another column, consisting of two regiments under Colonel Spear, of the 61st Pennsylvania, supported by two regiments (the 82d Pennsylvania and 67th New York) in column, under Colonel Shaler, was directed to act farther to the right, and the Light Division, under Colonel Burnham of the 5th Massachusetts, attached to Newton's command, was ordered to deploy on the left against the intrenchments at the base of the hill.

Spear's column, advancing through a narrow gorge, was broken and enfiladed by the artillery--indeed almost literally swept away--and Spear himself was killed.