burbridge then began to form his men up in columns to counterattack the rebel defenses. as soon as the men were in position, he ordered all columns to charge in unison. after the signal, the union army surged forward. the first confederate volley of shots depleted the union forces considerably. even after the volley, the rebel forces were still vastly outnumbered. confederate artillery commander major richard page and his battery of four 10-pounder parrott rifles began to fire, attempting to slow the charge. the overwhelming fire forced the union soldiers to fall back with many casualties.