They had come so silently through the thickets
that for once the Southern leaders were surprised. The Union veterans,
rushing forward in dense columns, stormed and took the breastworks with
the bayonet.
Many of the Southern troops, sound asleep, awoke to find themselves in
the enemy's hands. Others, having no time to fire them, fought with
clubbed rifles.
Harry, dozing, was awakened by the terrific uproar. Even before the dawn
had fairly come the battle was raging on a long front. The center of
Lee's army was broken, and the Union troops were pouring into the gap.
Grant had already taken many guns and thousands of prisoners, and the
bulldog of Shiloh and Vicksburg and Chattanooga was hurrying fresh
divisions into the combat to extend and insure his victory. Through the
forests swelled the deep Northern cry of triumph.
Harry had never before seen the Southern army in such danger, and he
looked at General Lee, who had now mounted Traveller. The turmoil and
confusion in front of them was frightful and indescribable. The Union
troops had occupied an entire Confederate salient, and their generals,
feeling that the moment was theirs, led them on, reckless of life,
and swept everything before them.
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