His division at last reached Pittsburg Landing and was carried across
the river in the steamers. One brigade led by Ammen outstripped the
rest, and rushed in behind the great battery and to its support, just
as the Southern bugles once more sounded the charge.
Dick shouted with joy, too, when he saw the new troops. The next moment
the enemy was upon them, charging directly through a frightful discharge
from the great guns. The riddled regiments, which had fought so long,
gave way before the bayonets, but the fresh troops took their places and
poured a terrible fire into the assaulting columns. And the great guns
of the battery hurled a new storm of shell and solid shot. The ranks
of the Southern troops, worn by a full day of desperate fighting, were
broken. They had crossed the ravine into the very mouths of the
Northern guns, but now they were driven back into the ravine and across
it. Cannon and rifles rained missiles upon them there, and they
withdrew into the woods, while for the first time in all that long day
a shout of triumph rose from the Union lines.
Another lull came in the battle.
"What are they doing now, Dick?" asked the Vermonter.
"I can't see very well, but they seem to be gathering in the forest for
a fresh attack. Do you know, George, that the sun is almost down?"
"It's certainly time. It's been at least a month since the Johnnies ran
out of the forest in the dawn, and jumped on us.
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