Follow the service road about 40 yards from the hedge to Overlook Number One. Look south up the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. Shirley's Hill may be seen in the distance, half cleared-half wooded. The eastward bend of the river caused the 26th Virginia Battalion to be squeezed east itself, as it emerged from Indian Hollow. This caused it to form unintentionally in a line behind part of the 51st Virginia. You can see from here how the 26th and elements of the 51st were shielded by the terrain from most of the Federal fire. This was the area occupied by Company C, 34th Massachusetts, placed here to support the west flank of the guns and to bring rifle fire on Confederates advancing along the river's edge. The company was cut off and captured during the Federal withdrawal. when the enemy's lines recoiled, and our men cheered; then the fire began again and lasted about thirty minutes; the enemy again
Walk directly east from the Overlook about 50 feet until you get a view of the guns to the south and US 11 north. General Sigel gave his version of events in this area.
I was chained to my advanced position on the right by a circumstance that is unpleasant to record. Desiring to know what was going on to the left, I soon turned to ride out of the smoke, and so gain a survey of the whole field. As I did so, the companies placed behind the batteries quickly rose from the ground and followed me, as if by command. I immediately turned around, brought them back to their position, and remained at my post. In spite of the seriousness of the situation, it seemed to me almost comical that a major general commanding a department and an "army" was condemned to the function of a "watchman." Then came the charge I ordered from our right. The disagreeable incident mentioned prevented me from performing an important duty.