He did not wish to incur the uttermost risk, and the roll of
his vast losses might well give him pause also.
Nevertheless Southern infantry and cavalry hung on the flanks and rear of
the withdrawing Union force. The cloudy moon gave sufficient light for
the sharpshooters, whose rifles flashed continuously. The lighter field
guns moved from the forests and bushes, and the troops of Thomas were
compelled to turn again and again to fight them off.
The Winchester regiment was on the extreme flank, where the men were
exposed to the fiercest attacks, but fortunately the thickets and hills
gave them much shelter. At times they lay down and returned the fire of
the enemy until they beat him off. Then they would rise and march on
again.
All the officers had lost their horses, and Colonel Winchester strode at
the head of his men. Just behind were Dick, Pennington and some other
members of his staff. The rest had fallen. Further back was Sergeant
Whitley, his head in a red bandage, but all his faculties returned.
In this dire emergency he was taking upon himself the duties of a
commissioned officer, and there was none to disobey him.
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