The gray lines in front disappeared and
the church was hidden. Yet the Northern artillery continued to pour a
terrible fire through the smoke toward the point where the Confederate
infantry had been posted.
Dick heard at the same time a tremendous roar on the left, and he knew
that the Union batteries beyond the Antietam had opened a flanking fire
on the Southern army. He breathed a sigh of triumph. McClellan, who
could organize and prepare so well, was aroused at last to such a point
that he could concentrate his full strength in battle itself, and push
home with all his might until able to snatch the reward, victory.
As the lad heard the supporting guns across the Antietam, he suddenly
found himself shouting with all his might. His voice could not be heard
in the uproar, but he saw that the lips of those about him were moving
in like manner.
The two corps on the peninsula had a good leader that morning. Hooker,
fiery, impetuous, scorning death, continually led his men to the attack.
The gaps in their ranks were closed up, and on they went, infantry,
cavalry and artillery.
Pages:
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283