about noon
All the time the Union numbers swelled , and , as the Southern army was hesitating , Sheridan was able to post his divisions as he pleased . The Winchester regiment was drawn up towards the flank . All the officers were still on foot , but they stood a little in front , ready to lead their men into the new battle . It was now about noon , and there was a pause in the combat , enabling the smoke to lift yet higher , and disclosing the whole field . Sheridan was still riding up and down the lines , cool , determined and resolved to turn defeat into victory . Wherever he went he spoke words of encouragement to his troops , but all the time his eye , which was the eye of a true general , swept the field . He put the gallant young Custer with his cavalry on the right , Crook and Merritt with their horse on the left , while the infantry were massed in the center .