Just when a complete Southern
victory seemed to be certain the reversal of fortune came. The coolness,
the courage, and the comprehensive eye of Grant restored the battle for
the North. The Southern reserves had not charged with the fire and
spirit expected, and, met with a shattering fire by the Indiana troops,
they fell back. Grant saw the opportunity, and massing every available
regiment, he hurled it upon Pillow and the Southern center.
Dick felt the wild thrill of exultation as they went forward instead of
going back, as they had done for so many hours. Just in front of him
was Colonel Winchester, waving aloft a sword, the blade of which had
been broken in two by a bullet, and calling to his men to come on.
Warner and Pennington, grimed with smoke and mud and stained here and
there with blood, were near also, shouting wildly.
The smoke split asunder for a moment, and Dick saw the long line of
charging troops. It seemed to be a new army now, infused with fresh
spirit and courage, and every pulse in the boy's body began to beat
heavily with the hope of victory. The smoke closed in again and then
came the shock.
Exhausted by their long efforts which had brought victory so near the
Southern troops gave way. Their whole center was driven in, and they
lost foot by foot the ground that they had gained with so much courage
and blood. Grant saw his success and he pressed more troops upon his
weakening enemy.
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