It was a vortex of fire and death. The Confederates themselves were
losing heavily, but taught by the stern Jackson and knowing that his eye
was upon them they refused to yield. The Northern charge broke on their
front, but the men did not retreat far. The shrill trumpet called them
back to the charge, and once more the blue masses hurled themselves upon
the barrier of fire and steel, to break again, and to come yet a third
time at the trumpet's call. Often the combatants were within ten yards
of one another, but strive as they would the Union columns could not
break through the Confederate defense.
Elsewhere the men of Hill and Longstreet showed a sternness and valor
equal to that of Jackson's. Their ranks held firm everywhere, and now,
as the long afternoon drew on, the eye of Lee, watching every rising
and falling wave of the battle, saw his chance. He drew his batteries
together in great masses and as the last charge broke on Jackson's lines
the trumpets sounded the charge for the Southern troops who hitherto had
stood on the defensive.
Dick heard a tremendous shout, the great rebel yell, that he had heard so
often before, and that he was destined to hear so often again.
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