meanwhile, the two regiments from law's brigade that had split from the column advancing to the round tops pushed up plum run valley and threatened to turn ward's flank. their target was the 4th maine and the 124th new york, defending the 4th new york independent artillery battery commanded by captain james smith, whose fire was causing considerable disruption in law's brigade's advance. the pressure grew great enough that ward needed to call the 99th pennsylvania from his far right to reinforce his left. the commander of the 124th new york, colonel augustus van horne ellis, and his major, james cromwell, decided to counterattack. they mounted their horses despite the protests of soldiers who urged them to lead more safely on foot. maj. cromwell said, "the men must see us today." they led the charge of their "orange blossoms" regiment to the west, down the slope of houck's ridge through a triangular field surrounded by a low stone fence, sending the 1st texas reeling back . but both colonel ellis and major cromwell were shot dead as the texans rallied with a massed volley; and the new yorkers retreated to their starting point, with only 100 survivors from the 283 they started with. as reinforcements from the 99th pennsylvania arrived, ward's brigade retook the crest.