But the defiant
rebel yell, long and fierce, rose from the thicket, and, as the rifles
crashed, the entire front of the charging column was burned away, as if
by a stroke of lightning. But after a moment of hesitation they came on,
only to ride deeper into a rifle fire which emptied saddles so fast that
they were at last compelled to turn and gallop away.
"Brave men," said Harry. "A gallant charge, but it had to meet too many
Southern rifles, aimed by men who know how to shoot."
"But their infantry are advancing through that wood," said Dalton.
"Hear them cheering above the rifle fire!"
The Northern shout rang through the forest, and the rebel yell, again
full of defiance, replied. The cavalry had been driven off, but the
infantry and artillery were far from beaten. The sixteen guns of the
two batteries were massed on a hill and they began to sweep the Southern
lines with a storm of shells and shrapnel. The forest and the dark were
no protection, because the guns searched every point of the Southern line
with their fire. Sherburne's men were forced to give ground, before
cannon served with such deadly effect.
"What will the colonel do?" asked Dalton. "The big guns give the Yankees
the advantage.
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