"They're going to charge in force," said Colonel Winchester to Dick.
"See, our rearguard has lost touch with our main army, leaving a side
opening between. They see this chance and intend to make the most of it."
"But our men are willing and anxious to meet them," said Dick. "You can
see it in their faces."
He had made no mistake, as the fire in their rear deepened, and they
saw the gathering squadrons of gray cavalry, a fierce anger seized the
retreating Union rearguard. Those wasps had been buzzing and stinging
them all day long and they had had enough of it. They could fight,
and they would, if their officers would let them. Now it seemed that the
officers were willing.
A deep and menacing mutter of satisfaction ran along the whole line.
They would show the Southerners what kind of men they were. Colonel
Winchester drew his infantry regiment into a small wood which at that
point skirted the road.
"There is no doubt that we've found it at the right time," said Warner.
Both knew that the forest would protect the infantry from the fierce
charges of the Southern cavalry, while proving no obstacle to the
Northern defense.
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