The Confederate line now grew more compact.

The brigades were brought into closer touch, and, gathering their strength anew, they rushed forward in a charge, heavier and more desperate than any that had gone before.

Generals and colonels led them in person.

Barksdale, young, but with snow-white hair, was riding at the very front of the line, and he fell, dying, in the Union ranks.
The Southern charge was stopped again on the left wing of the Union army, and with the coming of the night the battle there sank, but elsewhere the South was meeting with greater success.

Ewell, making a renewed and fierce attack at sunset, drove in the Northern right, and, seconded by Early, took their defenses there.