to capture Whitthorne, advanced too
far to the front of the main line, and was in great danger of being
surrounded. He perceived the situation in time, and at once changed
front, at the same time ordering his men to fix bayonets. Drawing his
sword and rising in his stirrups, he said:

"'Now, my men, let us show them that a Northern man is equal to any
other man.'

"He then ordered them forward at a charge bayonets, riding in the centre
of his regiment. Steadily on they went, his men falling at every step,
but not a shot did they fire, though they were moving almost up to the
enemy's lines. The rebel commander shouted to his men:

"'What are these? Are they men or machines?'

"The rebel line wavered a moment, and then gave way. At that instant a
shot struck Col. Anderson's horse and killed it, but the Colonel never
halted. He disengaged himself, and pushing forward on foot, regained his
line, and left the enemy in utter rout and confusion. Whitthorne
was not seen again that day by Anderson. The battle was still raging
on all the other parts of the line. First one side gained an advantage,
then the other, and so continued until night closed in on the
combatants. A truce was agreed to, and hostilities ceased for the time
being.

"The Colonel worked most of the night, collecting his wounded and
burying his dead. His loss was quite severe, in fact, the loss was very
heavy throughout both armies. Late in the night, while searching between
the lines for one of his officers, he met Whitthorne. They recognized
each other. Col. Anderson said to him:

"'Jo, I am glad to see you, but very sorry that we meet under such
circumstances.'

"Whitthorne answered:

"'I cannot say that I am glad to see you, and had it not been for making
my sister a widow, you would have been among the killed to-day.'

"The Colonel turned and walked away without making any reply, but said
to himself:

"'Can that man be my wife's brother? I will not, however, condemn him;
his blood is hot now; he may have a better heart than his speech would
indicate."

"Thus meditating, he returned to his bivouac. In the morning the burying
parties were all that was to be seen of the enemy. He had retreated
during the night, and very glad were our forces, as the battle was
well and hard fought on both sides. The forces were nearly equal as to
numbers.

"Col. Anderson did not see the General commanding for several days; when
he did the latter said to him: