[637] his troops, despite the darkness. But Greene has been reinforced by one brigade from Schurz's division; Wadsworth has extended his right to sustain him; finally, Kane returns in time from his unfortunate march over the Baltimore turnpike to check Steuart's skirmishers on the other side. Nichols' assault is repulsed; all the efforts of the Confederates are frustrated; and, although a few musket-shots are still exchanged, the conflict is ended about ten o'clock in the evening.
Ewell's attack has not been confined to this part of the Federal line, and if the order of the narrative obliges us to give successive descriptions, the reader will not forget that these separate combats take place at the same time on the left, on the right, and in the centre. In fact, the commander of the Second Confederate corps has scarcely seen Johnson plunge into the thick copsewood with which Culp's Hill is covered than he gives the order of attack to Early and Rodes. But again the Southern generals cannot execute their movements with that collective energy indispensable to success. Nothing is easier, apparently, than to combine Early's movements with those of Rodes: the former has deployed his troops to the left of Gettysburg, in the direction of Rock Creek; the latter is posted in the town itself; no obstacle intervenes either between themselves or along their front. Yet while the two brigades of Hoke and Hays are advancing in magnificent order on the left of the city, Rodes has not yet deployed his division on the other side. The latter general has either been too slow or Early too quick, and the orders transmitted by Ewell to these two generals have not been issued or construed in the same manner. Rodes was under the impression that he was to use his own judgment concerning the opportunity for making the attack, while Early, going fully into action, relies upon his immediate co-operation. The result is that Cemetery Hill is only attacked by two brigades, Smith having remained on the Hanover road for the purpose of assisting Stuart, who has at last made his appearance: Gordon alone has responded to Early's summons, who keeps him in reserve.
At seven o'clock in the evening Hoke and Avery (who is in command of Hays' troops) scale the eastern front of Cemetery Hill under a terrific fire of artillery. They are soon received by
