fic
fire from their siege guns and field pieces. Just at this time
General Hoke opened, with his artillery under Majors Mosely and
Reid, a very rapid and tremendous fire, and his infantry sent up
yell after yell as if charging. Ransom caught up the sound, and
rising in his stirrups, from the head and right of the line, in
a clear and ringing voice, gave the command, "Charge, boys, and
the place is yours," and such a charge and yell no one who ever
saw or heard it can ever forget. It baffles description. It was
as the wildest gust of the tornado as it prostrates the forest,
or the mad fire as it dashes through the prairies, it was a
thunder bolt. The hail of shot, shell, canister, grape, and
Minnie balls were not only unheeded but seemed unheard. The
infantry and artillery fell thick and fast, but immediately the
gaps were closed. In ten minutes the two outer forts, with eight
guns, were captured, our infantry scaling their parapets, and
the infantry within one hundred and fifty yards of the forts,
horses, and limbers blown up and cannoneers shot down, and yet
those remaining stood to their guns without shelter, confident
of victory, and to avenge their dead. The whole command of
officers and men, infantry and artillery, seemed enthused with
the inspiration of certain victory. Several hundred prisoners
were captured in these forts, which were immediately sent to the
rear, and now began the contest for the town more than a half a
mile in length, the enemy's infantry slowly retiring and
stubbornly resisting our advance, Fort Williams dealing out
grape and spherical case; their field pieces at the farther
extremities of the broad straight streets raking them with a
murderous fire; their infantry in the houses and cellars and
behind fences, delivering galling charges of Minnie shot, but
all of no avail. Our men were confident, aroused, and
irresistible. They pressed on steadily, without halt or
hesitation, tearing down fences, hedges, and every obstacle that
they met, capturing the enemy at every step. Soon they were in a
rout, and our infantry pressed through the town and waved their
battle flags over the fortifications in front to General Hoke's
forces, who could scarcely believe that so much could be
accomplished in so short a time. * * Ransom's charge has not
been surpas