ten o'clock at night
At last discouraged and appalled -- perhaps as much by the appearance and the war-cry of the never-defeated Zouaves as by any other agency that could have been brought to bear upon them , -- they first wavered in front , then grew unsteady in the main body , and at last broke and fled in confusion and indecent haste , seeking once more the shelter of the woods from which they were no more to emerge as an attacking party . The Federal troops were not allowed to follow them to the woods , night falling and the commander being indisposed to allow his exhausted troops any further exertion . The rebels left , in this last attack , several dismounted pieces of artillery , many blown-up caissons , and thousands of small arms , besides a thousand unhurt prisoners and a field literally covered with dead and wounded . The battle of Malvern Hill was over , though the rebel artillery continued to belch at intervals until after ten o'clock at night , the Federal advanced batteries replying to every fire . At length , and when the still summer night had thus far fallen on the late scene of conflict , the last rebel shot was sullenly fired , the last response was made by the Federal gunners , and the long conflict ceased . The baffled and beaten rebels , who had certainly fought with bravery and determination worthy of a better cause , fell back behind the sheltering woods and commenced their final retreat towards Richmond , having received at last a satisfactory taste of the quality yet remaining in the outnumbered , harrassed , but never-discouraged and ever-dangerous Army of the Potomac . Owing to the fact that this battle was so largely an artillery-duel , as has before been remarked , the opportunities for the display or observation of personal bravery were comparatively limited , and mostly confined to a short period towards the close of the battle .