At the command of the colonel all of the officers dismounted,
and orderlies took the horses to the rear. On foot they continued their
examination of the thickets, and the colonel sent for Sergeant Whitley,
who confirmed his opinion that the enemy was before them. At his
suggestion the Union force was spread out, lest it be flanked and
annihilated in the thickets.
Just as the movement was completed rifles began to crack in front and on
both flanks, and the piercing yell of the South arose.
It was impossible to tell the size of the force that assailed them,
but the Winchester men were veterans now, and they were not afraid.
Standing among the bushes or sheltered by the trees they held their fire
until they saw dusky figures in the thickets.
It had all the aspects of an old Indian battle in the depths of the great
forest. Darkness, the ambush and the caution of sharpshooters were
there. Dick carried a rifle, but he did not use it. He merely watched
the pink beads of flame among the bushes, while he stayed by the side of
his colonel and observed the combat.
Pages:
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206