His surmise was correct.

A general with fifteen thousand men was standing almost passive in front of a much smaller force, but other generals were showing great fire and energy.
The Winchester regiment contained many excellent riflemen and they were so close now that they could use the weapons for which the Kentuckians were famous.

Firing deliberately, they began to cut gaps in the first ranks of the defenders on the slope.

Then they rose and with other regiments pushed forward again.
But they came to a road in the side of the hill defended powerfully by infantry and artillery, and a heavy fire, killing and wounding many, was poured upon them.

They sought to cross the road and attack the defenders with the bayonet, but they were driven back and their losses were so heavy that they were compelled to take cover in the nearest thickets.
The men, gasping with heat and exhaustion, threw themselves down, a sleet of shells and bullets passing over their heads.