Firing deliberately, they began to cut gaps in the first
ranks of the defenders on the slope. Then they rose and with other
regiments pushed forward again.
But they came to a road in the side of the hill defended powerfully by
infantry and artillery, and a heavy fire, killing and wounding many,
was poured upon them. They sought to cross the road and attack the
defenders with the bayonet, but they were driven back and their losses
were so heavy that they were compelled to take cover in the nearest
thickets.
The men, gasping with heat and exhaustion, threw themselves down, a sleet
of shells and bullets passing over their heads. Dick had a sense of
failure, but it lasted only a moment or two. From both left and right
came the fierce crash of battle, and he knew that, if they had been
driven back before the road, their comrades were maintaining the combat
elsewhere.
"It's merely a delay. We pause to make a stronger attack," said Colonel
Winchester, as if he were apologizing to himself. "Are you all right,
Dick?"
"Unhurt, sir, and so are Warner and Pennington, who are lying here beside
me.
Pages:
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240