But the victory was not yet achieved. Crittenden,
who was really Zollicoffer's superior in the command, displayed the most
heroic courage throughout the battle. He brought up fresh troops to
help his weakened center. He reformed his lines and was about to
restore the battle, but Thomas, silent and ever watchful, now rushed in
a brigade of Tennessee mountaineers, and as they struck with all their
weight, the new line of the South was compelled to give way. Success
seen and felt filled the veins of the soldiers with fresh fire. Dick
and the men about him saw the whole Southern line crumble up before
them. The triumphant Union army rushed forward shouting, and the
Confederates were forced to give way at all points.
Dick and Warner, with the watchful sergeant near, were in the very front
of the advance. The two young aides carried away by success and the
fire of battle, waved their swords continually and rushed at the enemy's
lines.
Dick's face was covered with smoke, his lips were burnt, and his throat
was raw from so much shouting. But he was conscious only of great
elation. "This is not another Bull Run!" he cried to Warner, and Warner
cried back: "Not by a long shot!"
Thomas, still cool, watchful, and able to judge of results amid all the
thunder and confusion of battle, hurried every man into the attack.
He was showing upon this, his first independent field, all the great
qualities he was destined later to manifest so brilliantly in some of
the greatest battles of modern times.
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