k of
intelligence, dash, and hard-riding to rely on in those about
him.

The infantry had now cleared the woods of the enemy's troopers, who were
deceived as to the number of our rifles, and showed no inclination to
expose men and horses to the deadly fire of experienced infantry
skirmishers.

The old, time-honored Second Dragoons, the Fifth Regulars, and that
crack young regiment, the Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry (forming what was
known as the "Reserve Brigade"), were massing on the southern bank of
the river. The sharp report of infantry rifles, the rising smoke, and
the thousand indescribable sounds, with the tramp of fresh cavalry
pressing forward to take their part in the fray, showed that the battle
was now waging in good earnest. The wounded arrived more rapidly at the
ford, stretcher-bearers plying their trade in the hot sun.

The soft, dewy grass of the morning was now kicked and trampled into dry
dust. The infantry held the enemy in the open space beyond the woods;
while Buford hurled his squadrons, with drawn sabres, upon the Rebel
cavalry on the right and left.

A sabre charge, with both sides going at top speed, is, perhaps, the
most exciting and picturesque combination of force, nerve, and courage
that can be imagined. The commanding officers leading in conspicuous
advance; the rush, the thunder of horses' hoofs; the rattle of arms and
equipments,--all mingling with the roar of voices, while the space
rapidly lessens between the approaching squadrons. The commanders who
were seen, a moment before, splendidly mounted, dashing on at racing
speed, turning in the saddle to look back at the tidal wave which they
are leading, disappear in a cloud of sabres, clashing and cutting; but
the fight is partly obscured by the rising dust and the mist from the
over-heated animals. Riderless horses come, wounded and trembling, out
of the melee; others appear, running in fright, carrying dying troopers
still sitting their chargers, the head drooping on the breast, the
sword-arm hanging lifeless, the blood-stained sabre dangling from the
wrist, tossing, swinging, and cutting the poor animal's flanks, goading
him on in his aimless flight. In this moment of intense excitement, the
Rebels give way on the left. Our troopers follow in hot pursuit. On they
go, over the dead and dying. At the sound of the "recall," back they
come, to take breath and re-form at the rallying ground to which Ames'
skirmishers move forward,