breath. "Well, gentlemen; philothophy to
the rethcue! If we can't bag the whole rearguard, we'll bag what we can.
General advanthe and drive them!"

Back on the railroad, in the long shadows of the late afternoon, the
working party cleared away the last layer of earth and log and stood
back happy. "Come on, you old railroad gun, and stop your blaspheming!
Should think the engine'd blush for you!"

The railroad gun puffed up, cannoneers picturesquely draped where there
was hold for foot or hand. There was a momentary pause, filled with an
interchange of affectionate oaths and criticism. The lame artilleryman
laid hold of the flat car. "Take me along, won't you, and shuck me at my
battery! Kemper's, you know. Can't I go, lieutenant?"

"Yes, yes, climb on!"

"And can't my friend here go, too? He's infantry, but he means well. He
volunteered to swim the Chickahominy, and now he wants to get back so's
he can report to Stonewall Jackson. Sh! don't deny it now. You're too
modest. Can't he go, too, lieutenant?"

"Yes, yes. Climb on! All right, Brown! Let her go!"

Kershaw, Griffith, and Semmes' brigades, advancing in line through light
and shadow, wood and clearing, came presently into touch with the enemy.
There followed a running fight, the Federals slowly retreating.
Everywhere, through wood and clearing, appeared McClellan's earthworks.
Behind these the blue made stand, but at last from line to line the grey
pressed them back. A deep cut appeared, over which ran a railroad
bridge; then woods, fields, a second ruined railroad station, beside
which were burning cars filled with quartermaster's stores; beyond these
a farmhouse, a peach orchard, and a field crossed by long rows of
hospital tents. Before the farmhouse appeared a strong Federal line of
battle, and from every little eminence the blue cannon blazed. Kershaw
charged furiously; the two lines clashed and clanged. Semmes' brigade
came into action on the right, Kemper's battery supporting. Griffith's,
now Barksdale's--joined battle with a yell, the Mississippians bent on
avenging Griffith. The air filled with smoke, the roar of guns and the
rattle of musketry. There occurred, in the late afternoon, a bloody
fight between forces not large, and fairly matched.

The engine pushing the railroad gun alternately puffed and shrieked
through dark woodland and sunset-flooded clearing. A courier appeared,
signalling with his hat. "General Magruder's there by the bridge ov