The retreating Union line was broken, guns were lost, and
there was a vast turmoil and confusion. Yet out of it some order finally
emerged, and although the Union army was now driven back at every point
it inflicted heavy losses upon its foe, and under the lead of brave
commanders great masses gathered upon the famous Henry Hill, resolved,
although they could not prevent defeat, to save the army from destruction.
Night was coming down for the second time upon the field of battle,
lost to the North, although the North was ready to fight again.
Lee and Jackson looked upon the heavy Union masses gathered at the Henry
Hill, and then looking at the coming darkness they stopped the attack.
Night heavier than usual came down over the field, covering with its
friendly veil those who had lost and those who had won, and the
twenty-five thousand who had fallen.
CHAPTER VI
THE MOURNFUL FOREST
As the night settled down, heavy and dark, and the sounds of firing died
away along the great line, Dick again sank to the ground exhausted.
Although the battle itself had ceased, it seemed to him that the drums of
his ears still reproduced its thunder and roar, or at least the echo of
it was left upon the brain.
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