e heard the roar of Jackson's guns on
the flank he, too, sent word to his division commanders to charge with
their full strength. In an instant the Northern army was assailed both
in front and on the side, by a great force, rushing forward, sure of
victory and sending the triumphant rebel yell echoing through the woods
of the Chickahominy.

Harry felt the earth tremble beneath him as nearly a hundred thousand
men closed in deadly conflict. He could hear nothing but the continued
roar, and he saw only a vast, blurred mass of men and guns. But he was
conscious that they were going forward, up the hill, straight toward the
enemy's works, and he felt sure of victory.

He had grounds for his faith. Lee with the smaller army, had
nevertheless brought superior numbers upon the field at the point of
action. Porter and Slocum were staunch defenders. The Northern army,
though shattered by cannon and rifle fire, stood fast on the ridge until
the charging lines were within ten feet of them. Then they gave way,
but carried with them most of their cannon, reformed further back, and
fought again.

Harry found himself shouting triumphantly over one of the captured
guns, but the Southern troops were allowed no time to exult. The sun was
already sinking over the swamps and the battlefield, but Lee and Jackson
lifted up their legions and hurled them anew to the attack. McClellan
was not there when he was needed most, but Porter did all that a man
could do. Only two of his eighty guns had been taken, and he might yet
have made a stand, but the last of Jackson's force suddenly emerged from
the forest and again he was struck with terrible impact on the flank.

The Northern army gave way again. The Southern brigades rushed forward
in pursuit, capturing many prisoners, and giving impulse to the flight
of their enemies. Their riflemen shot down the horses drawing the
retreating cannon. Many of the guns were lost, twenty-two of them
falling into Southern hands. Some of the newer regiments melted entirely
away under an attack of such fierceness. Nothing stopped the advance of
Lee and Jackson but the night, and the arrival of a heavy reinforcement
sent by McClellan. The new force, six thousand strong, was stationed in
a wood, the guns that had escaped were turned upon the enemy, Porter and
Slocum rallied their yet numerous force, and when the dark came down the
battle ceased with the Northern army in the east defeated again, but not
destroyed.