He was covered with dust and perspiration, but he ran up and down, encouraging his men and often aiming the cannon himself.

It was good fortune for the North that he was there that day.

The Southern generals, uncertain whether to push the battle hard or wait for Lee, recoiled a little before his tremendous resistance.
But the South hesitated only for a moment.

Hill, pale from an illness, but always full of fire and resolution, was hurrying forward his massive columns, their eagerness growing as the sound of the battle swelled.
They would overwhelm the Union force, sweep it away.
Yet the time gained by Buford had a value beyond all measurements.
The crash of the battle had been heard by Union troops, too, and Reynolds, one of the ablest Union generals, was leading a great column at the utmost speed to the relief of the general who had held his ground so well.

A signalman stationed in the belfry of the seminary reported to Buford the advance of Reynolds, and the officer, eager to verify it, rushed up into the belfry.
Then Buford saw the columns coming forward at the double quick, Reynolds in his eagerness galloping at their head, and leaving them behind.
He looked in the other direction and he saw the men of Hill advancing with equal speed.