"They didn't beat us," said Dick as the firing ceased.
"No," said Colonel Winchester, "nor have we won a victory, but we're
saved. Thank God for the night!"
"They'll attack again to-morrow, sir," said Sergeant Whitley.
"Undoubtedly so," said Colonel Winchester, who felt at this moment not
as if he were speaking as colonel to sergeant, but as man to man, "and I
hope that our artillery will be ready again. It is what has saved us.
We have always been superior in that arm."
The colonel had spoken the truth, and the fact was also recognized by
Rosecrans, Thomas and the other generals. While they rectified their
lines in the darkness, the great batteries were posted in good positions,
and fresh gunners took the place of those who had been killed. Both
Rosecrans and Thomas were made of stern stuff. Afraid of no enemy, and,
despite their great losses of the day and the fact that they had been
driven back, they would be ready to fight on the morrow. Sheridan,
Crittenden, McCook, Van Cleve and the others were equally ready.
Food was brought from the rear and the exhausted combatants sank down to
rest.
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