l regiment, at the
most a brigade, thrown out from Jackson's right. I have positive
information. Fitz John Porter is mistaken--arrogantly mistaken.--Ah, the
rebel guns are going to indulge in a little bravado."

The twenty thousand gleaming bayonets passed the turnpike, passed
Dogan's house, moved on toward the wood. It rose torn and thin and black
from yesterday's handling. Immediately beyond was the railroad cut. On
the other side of the railroad ran a stretch of field and scrub,
mounting to Stony Ridge, that rose from the base of the woods. Stony
Ridge looked grey itself and formidable, and all about it was the smoke
of the forty grey guns. The twenty thousand bayonets pressed on.

There came a blare of bugles. Loud and high they rang--the bugles of the
Light Division, of Ewell's, of Jackson's own. They pierced the thunder
of the guns, they came from the wood at the base of Stony Ridge. There
was a change in the heart-beat below the twenty thousand bayonets.
Porter and Ricketts and Hatch stared, and saw start from the wood a
downward moving wall. It moved fast; it approached with a certain
impetuous steadiness. Behind it were shorter lines, detached masses.
Together all came down from Stony Ridge like an avalanche. The avalanche
came to and took the field of yesterday, and stood revealed,--Stonewall
Jackson holding the railroad cut. "I thought as much," said Fitz John
Porter. "Go ask him to give us Reynolds."

After the third charge the 65th and another regiment of the Stonewall
Brigade, finding their ammunition exhausted, armed themselves with
stones. Those of the Thunder Run men who had not fallen at White Oak
Swamp proved themselves expert. Broken rock lay in heaps by the railroad
bed. They brought these into the lines, swung and threw them. With
stones and bayonets they held the line. Morell and Sykes were great
fighters; the grey men recognized worthy foes. The battle grew Titanic.
Stonewall Jackson signalled to Lee on the Warrenton turnpike, "Hill hard
pressed. Every brigade engaged. Would like more guns."

Lee sent two batteries, and Stephen D. Lee placed them. There arose a
terrific noise, and presently a wild yelling. Lee signalled:--

_General Jackson. Do you still need reinforcements? Lee._

The signal officer on the knoll behind the Stonewall wigwagged back.

_No. The enemy are giving way. Jackson._

They gave way, indeed. The forty guns upon the ridge, the eight that Lee
had sent, strewed the gre