The woods and the bushes were filled with fugitives, soldiers seeking the
rear. Vast clouds of smoke drifted everywhere, the air was filled with
the odors of exploded gunpowder, cannon were piled in inextricable heaps
in the road, and horses, killed by shells or bullets, lay on the guns or
between the wheels.
Dick had never beheld a more terrible sight. Their army was defeated so
far, the dead and the wounded were heaped everywhere, terrified fugitives
were pouring to the rear, and the enemy, wild with triumph, and shouting
his terrible battle yell, was coming on with an onset that seemed
invincible.
Colonel Winchester darted among the fugitives and with stinging words and
the flat of his sword beat many of them back into line. Dick, Warner,
Pennington and other young officers did likewise. More Kentucky troops
bringing artillery came up and joined those who were standing so sternly.
It became obvious to all that they must hold the ground here or the
battle indeed was lost once and for all.
Thomas, the silent and resolute Virginian, had arrived also, and had
joined Rosecrans.
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