“The suspense must have been terrible for the time, but at last it was over, for on the morning of the third day after Dick made his revelation about the enemy's movements, our forces having become a little careless on their front, the enemy were upon them without much warning. Just as Gen. Sherwood was about to take his breakfast skirmishing commenced not more than a mile from his camp, and nearer and nearer it seemed to approach our lines. The 'long roll' was sounded and 'to arms' was the cry all along the lines. The roads passing through the camp were leading in almost every direction, affording the enemy ample opportunity for unfolding their line all along our front by a very rapid movement, of which they took advantage, and in rapid succession threw their divisions in line of battle and moved with quick motion to the assault which was made simultaneously along our front. From Peter's description it must have come like a thunderbolt. They struck Sherwood's command on the center and right flank and drove him from his first position back on the reserves and a part of his command entirely from the field. So thoroughly were they demoralized that they could not find time to return to their places during that day. Sherwood tried to rally them, but could not; so he joined his remnant to the first command he found, and continued resistance to the impetuous assaults of the Confederates. “The battle was now raging all along the line; our troops were in good condition, and the ones that had won the victory at Dolinsburg were in no wise discouraged. They came into action like veterans and stood the first shock of the battle without the least movement to the rear or panic. Our lines were again adjusted on the right, and one continuous rattle of musketry from one end of the line to the other could be heard. There was no chance for the operating of cavalry on either side. Artillery was run up to the front by both armies. How the different arms rattled and thundered. Batteries to the front, right and left rolled amid confusion and death. Closer still the armies came until their eyes were seen and aim taken as if in target practice. To the rear and front, as the armies gained or lost a little of their ground, lay the dead and the wounded. The shrieks and groans of the wounded and dying were unheeded; the crushing of bones might also be heard as the artillery rushed from one part of the lines to another. In this way the contest continued for the greater part of the forenoon. At last our center was penetrated and our right was forced back again with the center for the distance of perhaps a half mile. Our left, having a better position, under Gen. Prince, held their ground, and, turning their fire partially on the advancing column that was forcing our right, checked them somewhat in their rapid advance. At this critical moment our reserves came up in good style and entered the conflict. The enemy were now steadily driven back to their original position.