About one-thirty in the afternoon the British began their assault, marching resolutely, as if on parade, their long red line extending all the way across an open area and into the woods. When the redcoats came within range the militia fired as one man tearing gaping holes in the British line, yet they came on as if nothing had occurred When within the range of their muskets the total British line fired following with a bayonet charge against the first line. The charge was stopped when it became apparent that the first line was laying behind a rail fence with rifles aimed and waiting. There was a pause until British Colonel Webster advanced to the lead, urging his men to advance. The charge was resumed amidst a devastating fire. The militias task completed, they ran pell mell through the second line to safety.