After all their watching and waiting the Northern division had
been surprised. Many of the officers and soldiers, too, were in tents
that had been set against the cold and damp. The horses that drew the
artillery were being taken to water.
It was an awful moment and Dick's heart missed more than one beat,
but in that crisis the American, often impatient of discipline, showed
his power of initiative and his resolute courage. While that bristling
front of steel came on the soldiers formed themselves into line without
waiting for the commands of the officers. The artillerymen rushed to
their guns.
"Kneel, men! Kneel!" shouted Colonel Winchester to his own regiment.
He and all his officers were on foot, their horses having been left in
the rear the night before.
His men threw themselves down at his command, and, all along the Northern
line formed so hastily, the rifles began to crackle, sending forth a
sheet of fire and bullets.
The Northern cannon, handled as always with skill and courage, were
at work now, too, and their shells and shot lashed the Southern ranks
through and through.
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