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Rh duel followed, and as the Confederates had far more guns, the Union army got the worst of it. Howard, with his three divisions, was now hurrying from Emmettsburg. He rode on ahead, and found that by the death of Reynolds the command had fallen into his hands. He also realized the importance of holding the town, and sent urgent instructions to the 3d and 11th corps to push forward. The latter arrived at 12.45 o'clock, Schurz leading with his division. Rodes' Confederate division made a detour, and came in from the north to take possession of Oak Hill. Howard prepared for the attack by sending Schimmelpfennig's division, into the woods of Oak Hill, with two batteries of artillery.

At 2.15 Rodes advanced and occupied Oak Hill before Schimmelpfennig could get there; he immediately opened fire on the Union line with five batteries. Schurz, who had succeeded Howard in command of the 11th corps, pushed on to intercept him. Three of Rodes' brigades crossed the Mummasburg road and attacked Cutler's troops; O'Neil attacked Baxter and was repulsed with heavy loss. Iverson fell savagely on Robinson's two brigades, only to find that he had run into a trap. Cutler moved from the wood and took him on the flank. The Confederates fought bravely, but they were overmatched, many were killed and more than one thousand were taken prisoners. Daniel came up too late to save Iverson, but threw himself from the north on Stone at the railway cut, and drove him out of it. Brockenbrough attempted to drive Meredith from McPherson's wood but was himself routed. It was 2.45 o'clock, and the Confederates had been repulsed all along the line, but the battle had now reached a turning point and was soon to assume a different aspect.

Daniel was reinforced by Ramseur, and Heth by three brigades of Pender's division,—fresh men who had not been under fire that day.