e
to the other. Now our left was driven back, then the line adjusted and
advanced again. The rebel left gave way; then the center. Our cavalry
charged, and our artillery was advanced. A shout was heard all along the
line, and steadily on our line moved. The rebels stubbornly resisted,
but were gradually giving way. The commanding General rode along the
line, encouraging all by saying:

"'The victory is surely ours, Press forward steadily and firmly; keep
your line closed up;' and to the officers, 'Keep your commands well in
hand.'

"He felt that he had won the day. For hours the battle went steadily on
in this way. I rode up and down the line watching every movement. I took
position finally where I could see the enemy. I never expected to see
officers lead their men as the rebels did on that day. They would rally
their shattered ranks and lead them back into the very jaws of death.
Many fell from their horses, killed or wounded; the field was strewn
with the dead and dying; horses were running in different directions
riderless. I had never seen a battle, and this was so different from
what I had supposed from reading, I took it for granted that, both sides
being unacquainted with war, were doing many things not at all military.
I learned more about it afterward, however. From an eminence, where I
had posted myself, I could see a large column of fresh troops filing
into the plain from the hills some miles away. They were moving rapidly
and coming in the direction of the right flank of our army. I at once
rode as fast as I could to the left, where my son was inline, and for
the first time that day showed myself to him. He seemed somewhat excited
when he saw me, and asked: 'In Heaven's name what are you doing here?'

"I said: 'Never mind me, I am in no danger.'

"I then told him what I had seen, and he at once sent an orderly, with
a note to the General commanding. In a short time, however, we heard
the assault made on our right. It was terrific. Our troops gave way and
commenced falling back. The alarm seemed to go all along the line, and
a general retreat began without orders. Soon the whole army was leaving
the field, and without further resistance gave away the day. The rebel
army was also exhausted, and seemed to halt, in either joy or amazement,
at the action of our forces.

"Just as our army retired I found a poor young officer wounded. I let
him take my horse, thinking that I could walk as fast as the army cou