"Halt your men on that eminence!" General Washington cried to the commanding officer, not slackening his pace. "Halt, I say, sir, and get them into order!"
Across the causeway to the rear of the flying column the commander dashed, and there, at the head of the second division of retreating forces, was seen General Lee.
By this time Enoch was forty or fifty yards in the rear of the staff; but he heard Washington cry in a loud, angry voice to the man who was responsible for this disgraceful flight:
"Sir, I desire to know what is the reason, and whence came this disorder and confusion?"
Enoch could not distinguish General Lee's reply; he saw from the face of the man, and understood by his gestures, that he retorted harshly, and it was evident to the boy that the commander-in-chief and the officer next him in rank indulged in angry words, after which Washington wheeled his horse into the midst of the retreating troops until he had rallied a portion of them.
Enoch pressed forward as if aware of the fact that his services were soon to be needed, and, observing him, Washington cried:
"Ride with all speed to Colonel Oswald, and order him to plant his cannon on the brow of that hill. Tell him to use his pieces with energy upon the enemy."
In an incredibly short space of time the battery was pouring forth its iron hail, and the pursuing foe was checked.
An eye-witness of the battle writes regarding the incidents immediately following the arrival of General Washington at the scene of the disorder:
"The presence of the commander-in-chief inspired the troops with such confidence and courage that within ten minutes after he appeared the retreat was suspended, and order brought out of confusion. Stewart and Ramsey formed their regiments under cover of the wood, and with Oswald, kept the enemy at bay.