s, throughout the struggle; but a long time will elapse before
the non-chivalrous "Yankees" whom they have despised, will cease to
believe that commendable anxiety for personal safety has lain at the
bottom of the self-denial.

The fire of the rebel skirmishers, in this advance, was met promptly by
those of the Union army, and so sharply that the former were soon driven
back pell-mell on the main body. The Federal sharp-shooters, taking
advantage of every tree, rock or knoll, frequently overlapping their
flanks, kept up a continual and most destructive fire on the steadily
advancing lines and columns. The Confederates came on in excellent
order, their dingy lines sometimes bulging to the front, then
occasionally bending rearwards,--now the left wing curving forward, and
then the right swaying in an opposite direction. But these trifling
deviations from mathematical lines were always quickly corrected, and
the "dress" of their long fronts was really so good as to give evidence
of continued and careful drill on the part of the men and much ability
on that of the officers.

A heavy gray-clad body of rebels advanced in soldierly style until they
came within two hundred yards of the position occupied by Couch's
division, which was lying down in the weeds and partially screened by
them. A blast of bugles--a roll of drums--a few sharp words of command;
and up rose the before-dormant mass to their feet. A scorching,
withering fire of small-arms, delivered by companies from left to right,
and with the greatest deliberation, was sent directly into the faces of
the advancing rebels--such a close and deadly fire as seems almost as
impossible to advance against as against the lightnings of heaven. They
halted, wavered, and gave signs of confusion; but they were soon
restored to order and again came on. Again one of those close and
terrible volleys was poured into them, thinning the ranks and
encumbering every step with dead; and again they halted and wavered.
This time they deployed in line of battle and commenced a fierce fire on
the opposing divisions; accompanied by yells peculiar to
themselves--such as no other civilized troops in the world have ever
uttered--not a hurrah, a cheer, or even a roar, but a _shriek_ as
dissonant as the Indian war-whoop, and more terrible.

On the right and on the left the enemy came hurrying up, their columns
at a double quick. But they were met and brought to a stand at every
point. Their artill