. "We've been here for hours, but
we're shot to pieces. Half of our men must be killed or wounded, but how
old Sherman fights!"

The Southern leaders brought up fresh troops and hurled them upon
Sherman. Again the combat was hand to hand, and to the right and left
the supports of the indomitable Northern general were being cut away.
Those brigades who had proved their mettle at Donelson, and who had
long stood fast, were attacked so violently that they gave way, and the
victors hurled themselves upon Sherman's flank.

Dick and his two young comrades perceived through the flame and smoke
the new attack. It seemed to Dick that they were being enclosed now
by the whole Southern army, and he felt a sense of suffocation. He was
dizzy from such a long and terrible strain and so much danger, and he
was not really more than half conscious. He was loading and firing his
rifle mechanically, but he always aimed at something in the red storm
before them, although he never knew whether he hit or missed, and was
glad of it.

The division of Sherman had been standing there seven hours, sustaining
with undaunted courage the resolute attacks of the Southern army, but
the sixth sense warning Dick that it had begun to shake at last was
true. The sun had now passed the zenith and was pouring intense and
fiery rays upon the field, sometimes piercing the clouds of smoke, and
revealing the faces of the men, black with sweat and burned gunpowder.

A cry arose for Grant. Why did not their chief show himself upon the
field! Was so great a battle to be fought with him away? And where was
Buell? He had a second great army. He was to join them that day. What
good would it be for him to come tomorrow? Many of them laughed in
bitter derision. And there was Lew Wallace, too! They had heard that he
was near the field with a strong division. Then why did he not come upon
it and face the enemy? Again they laughed that fierce and bitter laugh
deep down in their throats.

The attack upon Sherman never ceased for an instant. Now he was assailed
not only from the front, but from both flanks, and some even gaining the
rear struck blows upon his division there. One brigade upon his left was
compelled to give way, scattered, and lost its guns. The right wing was
also driven in, and the center yielded slowly, although retaining its
cohesion.

The three lads were on their feet now, and it seemed to them that
everything was lost. They could see the battle i