n front of them only,
but rumors came to them that the army was routed elsewhere. But neither
Sherman nor McClernand would yield, save for the slow retreat, yielding
ground foot by foot only. And there were many unknown heroes around
them. Sergeant Whitley blazed with courage and spirit.

"We could be worse off than we are!" he shouted to Dick. "General
Buell's army may yet come!"

"Maybe we could be worse off than we are, but I don't see how it's
possible!" shouted Dick in return, a certain grim humor possessing him
for the moment.

"Look! What I said has come true already!" shouted the sergeant. "Here
is shelter that will help us to make a new stand!"

In their slow retreat they reached two low hills, between which a small
ravine ran. It was not a strong position, but Sherman used it to the
utmost. His men fired from the protecting crests of the hills, and he
filled the ravine with riflemen, who poured a deadly fire upon their
assailants.

Now Sherman ordered them to stand fast to the last man, because it was
by this road that the division of Lew Wallace must come, if it came at
all. But Southern brigades followed them and the battle raged anew, as
fierce and deadly as ever.

Although their army was routed at many points the Northern officers
showed indomitable courage. Driven back in the forest they always
strove to form the lines anew, and now their efforts began to show some
success. Their resistance on the right hardened, and on the left they
held fast to the last chain of hills that covered the wharves and their
stores at the river landing. As they took position here two gunboats in
the river began to send huge shells over their heads at the attacking
Southern columns, maintaining a rapid and heavy fire which shook
assailants and strengthened defenders. Again the water had come to the
help of the North, and at the most critical moment. The whole Northern
line was now showing a firmer front, and Grant, himself, was directing
the battle.

Fortune, which had played a game with Grant at Donelson, played a far
greater one with him on the far greater field of Shiloh. The red dawn of
Shiloh, when Johnston was sweeping his army before him, had found him at
Savannah far from the field of battle. The hardy and vigorous Nelson had
arrived there in the night with Buell's vanguard, and Grant had ordered
it to march at speed the next day to join his own army. But he, himself,
did not reach the field of Shiloh until 10