two o'clock in the afternoon
Jackson and those Virginians of his seem able to stand anything . Up , boys , the battle is on us again ! '' The charge swept almost to their feet , but it was driven back , and then came a momentary lull , not a cessation of the battle , but merely a sinking , as if the combatants were gathering themselves afresh for a new and greater effort . It was two o'clock in the afternoon , and the fierce July sun was at its zenith , pouring its burning rays upon both armies , alike upon the living and upon the dead who were now so numerous . The lull was most welcome to the men in gray . Some fresh regiments sent by Johnston had come already , and they hoped for more , but whether they came or not , the army must stand . The brigades were massed heavily around the Henry house with that of Jackson standing stern and indomitable , the strongest wall against the foe .