by shells or bullets, lay on the guns or
between the wheels.

Dick had never beheld a more terrible sight. Their army was defeated
so far, the dead and the wounded were heaped everywhere, terrified
fugitives were pouring to the rear, and the enemy, wild with triumph,
and shouting his terrible battle yell, was coming on with an onset that
seemed invincible.

Colonel Winchester darted among the fugitives and with stinging words
and the flat of his sword beat many of them back into line. Dick,
Warner, Pennington and other young officers did likewise. More Kentucky
troops bringing artillery came up and joined those who were standing so
sternly. It became obvious to all that they must hold the ground here or
the battle indeed was lost once and for all.

Thomas, the silent and resolute Virginian, had arrived also, and had
joined Rosecrans. Dick observed them both. Rosecrans, tremendously
excited, and reckless of death from the flying shells and bullets,
galloped from point to point, urging on his soldiers, telling them to
die rather than yield. Thomas, cool, and showing no trace of excitement
also directed the troops. Both by their courage and resolution inspired
the men. The beaten became the unbeaten. Dick felt rather than saw the
stiffening of the lines, and the return of a great courage.

The new line of battle was formed directly under the fire of a
victorious and charging enemy. Three batteries were gathered on a height
overlooking a railroad cut, where they could sweep the front of the foe.

Just as they were in battle order Dick saw the faces of the Southerners
coming through the woods, led by Hardee in person. Then he saw, too,
the value of presence of mind and of a courage that would not yield.
The three batteries planted by the Kentuckian, Rousseau, on the railway
embankment suddenly opened a terrible enfilading fire upon the Southern
advance. The Kentucky regiment standing so firmly in the breach also
opened with every rifle firing directly into the ranks of their brother
Kentuckians, who were advancing in the vanguard of the South. Here again
people of the same state and even of the same county fought one another.

The Confederates pursuing a defeated and apparently disorganized enemy
were astounded by such a sudden and fierce fire. One of their generals
was killed almost instantly, and a part of their line was hurled back
with great violence. Thomas pushed forward with a portion of the troops,
and after a