aid, posted in such a way that they could not but behave badly.
The merits of the case must remain for decisive history. Conceding
equally good generalship to both, it is not amiss to say, that what
happened under Howard might not have happened under Sigel. The desultory
firing along our changed front showed too plainly the ground we had lost
the day before. In the wood, alongside of the road fronting the right
centre of our line, our Regiment lay at arms,--listening to awfully
exaggerated stories from stragglers,--watching the posting of artillery
in our immediate front, the entry of Brigades into the wood upon our
left, and their exit under skilful artillery practice,--and now and then
dodging at the sound of the stray shells sent as return compliments from
Rebel batteries.

"Good-bye, Colonel; these brass-bull pups will roar bloody murder at
Johnny Reb to-day," said a fine-looking, whole-souled Lieutenant, in
command of an Ohio battery, pointing to his pieces with pride, as he
hurried by at a trot, to relieve a battery on our left centre.

Poor fellow! How blind we are to futurity! His pieces were scarcely in
position before a shell struck the caisson at which he was adjusting
fuses, and his head, picked up at the distance of a hundred yards, was
all that remained unshattered of his manly figure, after the explosion.

* * * * *

Files of wounded upon foot, full ambulances, and stretchers laden with
the more serious cases, passed us here.

* * * * *

"I am done for, fellows," said a slightly built, pale-faced sergeant,
resting upon his elbow, and pointing to his shattered side, as he was
carried by on a stretcher; "but stick to the old flag; it is bound to
win."

His passage along the line was greeted with cheers, that must have
sounded gratefully to ears fast closing to earthly sounds.

But why individualize? The heroism that may be told of such a day, is
but a drop compared with the thousand untold currents of unselfish
patriotism and high resolve that well up in the bosoms of our Union
soldiers. Not that daring deeds are not performed by Rebel ranks, but--

"True fortitude is seen in great exploits,
That justice warrants, and that wisdom guides;
All else is towering frenzy and distraction."

About nine in the forenoon, to the sound of lively musketry on our left,
our Brigade left in front, crossed the open space i