All the men in the regiment were lying down, but the officers
walked back and forth in front of the line. It was the especial pride
of the younger ones to appear unconcerned, and some were able to make a
brave pretense.
But all the while the battle was rolling nearer. It was no longer an
affair of scouting parties. The skirmishers were driven in on either
side and the mighty Southern advance was coming forward in full battle
array. Shells began to shriek and fall among the Northern masses,
and the fire of cannon and rifles mingled in a sinister crash. But the
Union regiments, although not yet replying, remained steady, although the
shower of steel that was beginning to beat upon them found many a mark.
Vast columns of smoke pierced by fire rose in front.
It seemed to Dick's vivid fancy that the earth was shaking with the tread
of the advancing brigades and the thunder of their artillery. But he was
still able to preserve his air of indifference, although his heart was
now beating hard and fast. Now and then when the smoke eddied or the
banks of it broke apart he raised his glasses and with their powerful
vision saw the long and deep Southern columns advancing, the field
batteries in the intervals pouring a storm of death.
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