This was a strong position, for the rebels were sheltered by the woods, while our troops were forced to advance over an open country, cut up by ravines parallel to McLaws' front, which broke up their organization to some extent, and destroyed the _elan_ of the attack.
After a brief artillery contest, which soon ended, as the enemy were out of ammunition, Brooks' division went forward about 4 P.M., and made a gallant charge, in which Bartlett's brigade, aided by Willston's battery, captured the buildings and drove in part of Wilcox's line.

The New Jersey brigade charged at the same time on his right, and Russell's brigade on his left.

Wilcox placed himself at the head of his reserve regiments, and aided by Semmes' brigade, made a fierce counter-charge.

The combat for the school-house raged with great fury, each party breaking the other's line and being broken in turn.

Finally, after much desperate fighting, Bartlett was obliged to yield the portion of the crest he had held which was a key to the position; for as he was not strongly and promptly reinforced, as he should have been, his withdrawal from the church and school-house made a gap which forced the other portions of the line to retreat to avoid being taken in flank.
Brooks was therefore driven back to the shelter of the guns at the Toll House.