the midday sun
Beneath their feet was the rising ground -- a moment more , and they would leap victorious up the ragged slope . The moment was delayed . With a rending sound as of a giant web torn asunder , the legions of Hampton and Cary , posted near the house of the free negro Robinson , came into action and held in check the four brigades . High upon the plateau , near Jackson 's line , above the wild confusion of the retreating troops , appeared in the blaze of the midday sun , hatless , on steeds reeking from the four miles ' gallop from that centre where the battle did not join to this left where it did , the generals Johnston and Beauregard . Out of the red lightning , the thunder , the dust and the smoke , above the frenzied shouting and the crying of the wounded , their presence was electrically known . A cheer rushed from the First Brigade ; at the guns Rockbridge , Staunton , Loudoun , Alexandria , and New Orleans took up the cry , tossed it with grape and canister across to the opposite hill . Bee , Bartow , and Evans , exhausted , shattered , wavering upwards toward the forest , rest , cessation from long struggle , heard the names and took fresh heart .