Captains and lieutenants fell fast beneath the aim
of the sharpshooters.
The burning sun was at the zenith, pouring fiery rays upon the vast
conflict which raged along a front of two miles. Pope himself was now
upon the field and his troops were pouring from every point to his aid.
So deadly was the fire of the sharpshooters that they regained the wood,
driving out the Southerners who had exhausted their cartridges. Hill's
division of the Confederates was almost cut to pieces by the cannon
and rifles, and the Southern leaders from their posts on the hills saw
brigades and regiments continually coming to the help of the North.
Dick saw or rather felt the fortunes of the North rising again, and as
his regiment stood up for action once more he began to shout with the
others in triumph. The roar of the battle grew so steady that the voices
of men became audible and articulate beneath it.
"They shut their trap down upon us, but we're breaking that trap all to
pieces," he heard Pennington say.
"Looks as if we might win a victory," said the cooler Warner.
Then he heard no more, as they were once again upon the enemy who
received them almost hand to hand, and the battle swelled anew.
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