Besides, it is in accord with the character of their
generals. Both Lee and Jackson are always for the swift offensive,
and Early, Longstreet and the Hills are the same way. Hear that booming
ahead! They're attacking one of the fords now!"
At a ford a mile above and also at another a mile or two further on,
the Southern troops had begun a heavy fire, and gathered in strong masses
were threatening every moment to attempt the passage. But the Union
guns posted on hills made a vigorous reply and the time passed in heavy
cannonades. Colonel Winchester, his brows knitted and anxious, watched
the fire of the cannon. He confided at last to his favorite aide his
belief that what lay behind the cannonade was more important than the
cannonade itself.
"It must be a feint or a blind," he said. "They fire a great deal,
but they don't make any dash for the stream. Now, the rebels haven't
ammunition to waste."
"Then what do you think they're up to, sir?"
"They must be sending a heavy force higher up the river to cross where
there is no resistance. And we must meet them there, with my regiment
only, if we can obtain no other men.
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