ous
officer, Taylor, of the Eighth. "They might smash it and seize our line
of retreat."

"Men who have taken up a strong position, a position obviously chosen
for defence, rarely quit it promptly for an attack," replied Waldron.
"There is not one chance in ten that these gentlemen will make a
considerable forward movement early in the fight. Only the greatest
geniuses jump from the defensive to the offensive. Besides, we must hold
the wood. So long as we hold the wood in front of their centre we save
the road."

Then came personal and detailed instructions. Each regimental commander
was told whither he should march, the point where he should halt to
form line, and the direction by which he should attack. The mass of
the command was to advance in marching column toward a knoll where the
highway entered and traversed the wood. Some time before reaching
it Taylor was to deploy the Eighth to the right, throw out a strong
skirmish line and open fire on the enemy's centre and left, supported by
the battery of Parrotts, and, if pushed, by five companies of cavalry.
The remaining troops would reach the knoll, file to the left under cover
of the forest, skirt it for a mile as rapidly as possible, infold the
right of the Confederate position, and then move upon it concentrically.
Counting from the left, the Tenth, the Seventh, and the Fourteenth were
to constitute the first line of battle, while five companies of cavalry,
then the First, and then the Fifth formed the second line. Not until
Gahogan might have time to wind into the enemy's right rear should
Gildersleeve move out of the wood and commence the real attack.

"You will go straight at the front of their right," said Waldron, with
a gay smile, to this latter Colonel. "Send up two companies as
skirmishers. The moment they are clearly checked, lead up the other
eight in line. It will be rough work. But keep pushing. You won't have
fifteen minutes of it before Thomas, on your left, will be climbing the
end of the ridge to take the rebels in flank. In fifteen minutes more
Gahogan will be running in on their backs. Of course, they will try to
change front and meet us. But they have extended their line a long way
in order to cover the whole ridge. They will not be quick enough. We
shall get hold of their right, and we shall roll them up. Then, Colonel
Stilton, I shall expect to see the troopers jumping into the gaps and
making prisoners."

"All right, Colonel," answered S