Dick, however, did not have a chance to see this as the Southerners,
reinforced by fresh troops from Breckinridge's division, were charging in
the center with great violence. So terrible was the fire that received
them that some of the regiments lost half their numbers in five minutes.
Yet the remainder, upheld by their cannon, returned a fire almost as
deadly. Rosecrans, absolutely fearless, stood in the very front where
the danger was greatest. A cannon ball blew off the head of his chief
of staff who stood by his side. "Many a brave fellow must fall!" cried
Rosecrans, a devoted Catholic. "Cross yourselves, and fire low and fast!"
Many a brave fellow did fall, but his men fired low and fast, and,
while the Southern troops charged again and again to the very mouths of
the cannon they were unable to break down the last desperate stand of
the Northern army. They had driven it back, but they had not driven it
back far enough. Then the sun set as it had set so often before on an
undecisive battle, terrible in its long list of the slain, but leaving
everything to be fought over again.
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