Stevenson of the Third
Wisconsin, who had been ordered to the same duty. General Buford and
some staff officers were standing near the guns, their horses awaiting
them in the rear, where the artillery horses had taken refuge.

Part of the Tenth Virginia Cavalry were on foot behind a stone wall down
in the open fields in front; and they endeavored to interfere with us as
much as possible while we were posting Lieutenant Parker with two men as
a "lookout" to apprise us of any movement on the part of the enemy. They
had already annoyed our artillery very much, popping at them with their
carbines.

Captain Stevenson and I lay down with our companies in the usual
position of artillery supports, about thirty yards in rear, while our
guns belched forth their fire and smoke, and the enemy's shells came
howling overhead and bursting behind us with that spiteful, sharp,
clean-cut bang which we used to know so well.

Having nothing to do as yet but smoke our pipes, we lolled on the grass
and studied our cavalry friends. Custer was the most striking figure in
the group, with his fanciful uniform, his long hair, and spirited
manner. He seemed to enjoy the shelling, and appeared to beam all over,
almost dancing with excitement.

Other staff officers arrived from time to time, and, plunging into the
group, on their reeking horses, spoke to General Buford, and then dashed
away again. The fight seemed still going on in the centre and on the
left, which had advanced considerably; but our view was somewhat
obstructed by clumps of woods.

General Buford, whom we had never seen before, impressed us with his
commanding presence and his manly and picturesque simplicity of dress.
He looked as if his division might idolize him, as it was said they did.
He seemed much annoyed at the Tenth Virginia Cavalry behind the wall,
and at last summoned the commander of the infantry supports. Although
Stevenson commanded, he wished me to assist at the audience; and we were
at the General's side in a moment, looking over the guns at the
surrounding country.

"Do you see those people down there?" says Buford: "they've got to be
driven out. Do you think you can do it?"

We looked up and down the line, and rested our gaze upon a wheat-field
on the left of the stone wall (the enemy's right).

"It's about double our force," says Stevenson.

"Fully that," I replied, "if not more."

We looked again at the wheat-field, for that was the key to the
posit