"
Harry was silent. A few minutes more, and there was a sudden crackle of
rifles in front of them.
"The dawn isn't here, but Grant is," said Harry.
The crackling fire doubled and tripled, and then the fire of the Southern
rifles replied in heavy volume. The lighter field guns opened with a
crash, and the heavier batteries followed with rolling thunder. Leaves
and twigs fell in showers, and men fell with them. The deep Northern
cheer swelled through the Wilderness and the fierce rebel yell replied.
Gray dawn, rising as if with effort, over the sodden Wilderness found two
hundred thousand men locked fast in battle. It might have been a bright
sun elsewhere, but not here among the gloomy shades and the pine barrens.
The firing was already so tremendous that the smoke hung low and thick,
directly over the tops of the bushes, and the men, as they fought,
breathed mixed and frightful vapors.
Both sides fought for a long time in a heavy, smoky dusk, that was
practically night. Officers coming from far points, led, compass in hand,
having no other guide save the roar of battle. As the Southern leaders
had foreseen, Grant was throwing in the full strength of his powerful
army, hoping with superior numbers and better equipment to crush Lee
utterly that day.
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