Soon they were
lost to sight, swallowed up by the Wilderness.
Here and there through the wood narrow, unmade roads were cut,
and along these hour after hour twenty-five thousand men moved
ceaselessly and silently. Through the thick foliage there came to
them faint echoes of the thundering guns, while close about them
the cries of startled birds broke the stillness, and the timid,
wild things of the woods scurried in terror before them. As the day
went on the heat became stifling, and dust rose in clouds beneath
the tramping feet. Still, choking, hot and dusty the men pressed
on.
The soldiers of the right wing of the Federal army were resting
about six o'clock that evening. Their arms were stacked, some
were cooking supper, others were smoking or playing cards, when
suddenly from the woods there came the whirr of wings, and a rush
of frightened squirrels and rabbits, and other woodland creatures.
It was the first warning the Federals had of the approach of the
enemy. They flew to arms, but it was already too late. With their
wild yell the Confederates dashed into the camp. The Federals
fought bravely, but they were taken both in front and rear, and
were utterly overwhelmed.
Now and again a regiment tried to make a stand, only to be swept
away by the terrific onslaught of the Confederates, and leaving
half their number dead on the field they fled in panic.
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