io friends were compelled to give ground
too. It seemed that the utmost of human effort and defiance of death
could not force the narrow passage.

But a new man, a host in himself, came upon the field. Grant, who had
been on foot for two days, endeavoring to get his army through the
thickets and morasses, heard the booming of the cannon and he knew that
the vanguards had clashed. He borrowed a cavalry horse and, galloping
toward the sound of the guns, reached the field at mid-morning. Grant
was not impressive in either figure or manner, but the soldiers had
learned to believe in him as they always believe in one who leads them
to victory.

A tremendous shout greeted his coming and the men, snatching off their
hats and caps, waved them aloft. Grant took no notice but rapidly
disposed his troops for a new and heavier battle. Dick felt the strong
and sure hand over them. The Union fire grew in might and rapidity.
McPherson arrived with two brigades to help Osterhaus, and the
strengthened division was able to send a brigade across a ravine, where
it passed further around Bowen's flank and assailed him with fury.

Dick felt that their own division under McClernand was also making
progress. Although many men were falling they pressed slowly forward,
and Grant brought up help for them too. For a long time the struggle was
carried on. It was one of the little battles of the war, but its results
were important and few were fought with more courage and resolution.
Bowen, with only eight thousand against twenty thousand, held fast
throughout all the long hot hours of the afternoon. Grant, owing to the
nature of the field, was unable to get all his numbers into battle at
once.

But when the twilight began to show Dick believed that victory was at
hand. They had not yet driven Bowen out, but they were pressing him
so close and hard, and Grant was securing so many new positions of
advantage, that the Southern leader could not make another such fight
against superior numbers in the morning.

Twilight turned into night and Bowen and his men, who had shown so much
heroism, retreated in the dark, leaving six guns and many prisoners as
trophies of the victors.

It was night when the battle ceased. Cannon and rifles flashed at fitful
intervals, warning skirmishers to keep away, but after a while they
too ceased and the Union army, exhausted by the long march of the night
before and the battle of the day, threw itself panting upon th