And now, the red-haired Campbell begins the attack, moving over the roughest ground. The shouts of his men swell on the air. Shelby’s troops respond, and then others, until the whole mountain is enveloped in sound. Ferguson and his second, Capt. De Peyster,[13] hear the outcries. Ferguson’s mind is touched with fear of defeat. De Peyster says, “These things are ominous.” Soon, Campbell, nearly at the hill-top, opens a deadly fire, and quickly the shrill notes of Ferguson’s whistle, inciting the British to battle, mingle with the roll of his drums. Campbell is forced to retreat down the mountain to its very foot, so fierce is the bayonet charge of regulars and Tories. But he rallies his men and again they ascend, driving back their enemy. Lacey and Hill, with their troops, join in the conflict. The left center, under Shelby, is almost to the summit, and pours hot volleys through the slight defences, putting Ferguson’s person in danger. De Peyster confronts the assailants, charges them with bayonets, and Shelby also is compelled down the mountain. Back from successful repulse of his foes, De Peyster returns to repel the “brave and gentle Cleveland,” Chronicle and Hambright. Chronicle is slain, and Williams dies, fighting bravely. Meanwhile, Campbell, McDowell and Shelby, on the other side of the mountain are again ascending, in conflict with Tory riflemen, shouting, “Huzza, boys!” as they advance. Sevier has gained the hill-top. He presses the British center, and is charged by the regulars but holds his ground. As the combat deepens about him, Campbell and Shelby have won to the summit. Then all the contending forces are face to face, and there is a general _melee_--firing with guns and charging with bayonets. Bailie Peyton says that at the first of the conflict “the mountain appeared volcanic; there flashed along its summit and around its base and up its sides one long sulphurous blaze.” Judge Haywood says that at a later moment “the mountain was covered with flame and smoke, and seemed to thunder.”