two o'clock
A balloon slowly rose from the Federal lines and hung in the scarlet clouds that circled the sun . The signal was given to the artillery that the enemy lay in the deep woods within range and a storm of shot and shell suddenly burst over the heads of the men in grey and the second day 's carnage had begun . For once Jackson , the swift and mysterious , was late in reaching the scene . It was two o'clock when Hill again unsupported hurled his men on the Federal lines in a fierce determined charge . Twenty-six guns of the matchless artillery of McClellan 's army threw a stream of shot and shell into his face . Never were guns handled with deadlier power . And back of them the infantry , thrilled at the magnificent spectacle , poured their hail of hissing lead into the approaching staggering lines .