After directing Gibbon to hold the town and cover the bridges there, Sedgwick, instead of pushing on, halted to reform his men, and sent back for Brooks' division, which was still at its old position three miles below Fredericksburg, to come up and take the advance.
It was full 3 P.M.before the final start was made.

This delay gave Hays time to rejoin Early by making a detour around the head of Sedgwick's column, and Wilcox took advantage of it to select a strong position at Guest's House, open fire with his artillery, and detain Sedgwick still longer.

Wilcox then retreated toward the river road, but finding he was not pursued, and that Sedgwick was advancing with great caution, he turned back and occupied for a short time the Toll Gate, half a mile from Salem Church, where McLaws' division was formed with one of Anderson's brigades on his left.

When Sedgwick advanced Wilcox fell back and joined the main body at the church.
The other brigades of Anderson's were sent to hold the junction of the Mine road and the River road.
When the pursuit ceased, Early reassembled his command near Cox's house and made immediate arrangements to retake the Fredericksburg heights, and demonstrate against Sedgwick's rear.
McLaws formed his line about 2 P.M.in the strip of woods which runs along the low ridge at Salem Church; two brigades being posted on each side of the road about three hundred yards back.

Wilcox's brigade, when driven in, was directed to take post in the church and an adjacent school-house, which were used as citadels.