ey came down from a gallop to a trot at the
order, "Front into line," as steadily as if on parade; then followed,
"Right dress, front"--and all were ready for the next move.

Our batteries from the right were shelling the woods opposite to us.
In front, under cover, some of the cavalry skirmishers were using
their Spencers upon us at long range, and a squadron of ours, the
Fifth, was detailed to move up and take a position opposite and return
their fire.

By this time the grey of twilight was lighted up by the rising moon,
and there seemed to be a lull in the attack. General Gary and Colonel
Haskell had ridden over our front and communicated with the commanding
officer of the batteries; the consequence of which was, the brigade
was dismounted and double-quicked through a small piece of wood to the
batteries. Before our men could get to the guns the enemy charged and
got among them, but were driven back by the fire and our rush, but
taking with them some of our men as prisoners--among them Captain
Hankins, of the Virginia battery, who got away and came running up to
me as I rode to my place. Our men fell in between the guns, and then
began one of the closest artillery fights, for the numbers engaged and
the time it lasted, that occurred during the war. The guns were fought
literally up to the muzzles. It was dark by this time, and at every
discharge the cannon was ablaze from touch-hole to mouth, and there
must have been six or eight pieces at work, and the small arms of some
three or four hundred men packed in among the guns in a very confined
space. It seemed like the very jaws of the lower regions. They made
three distinct charges, preluding always with the bugle, on the right,
left and centre, confusing the point of attack; then, with a cheer and
up they came. It was too dark to see anything under the shadow of the
trees but the long dark line. They would get within thirty or forty
yards of the guns and then roll back, under the deadly fire that was
poured upon them from the artillery and small arms. Amid the flashing,
and the roaring, and the shouting, rose the wild yell of a railroad
whistle, as a train rushed up almost among us (the enemy had
possession of the road), as we were fighting around the depot,
sounding on the night air as if the devil himself, had just come up
and was about to join in what was going on.

Then came a lull; our friends in front seemed to have had the wire
edge taken off.

Our horses