thered
explosion announced that the danger was over. From our front ranks, who
had gradually crept up the side of the hill, an incessant fire was kept
up; but the pieces could be worked with but little exposure, and it was
harmless. Fortunately the shells buried themselves deeply before
exploding, and were mainly destructive in their direct passage. Again
the horseman cantered gaily to his former place of observation on the
left; but our sharpshooters had the range, and his fine sorrel was
turned to the work limping very discreditably. This trifling injury was
all that we could inflict in return for the large loss of life and limb.

"Well, Lieutenant, poor John is gone!" said the little Irish Corporal,
coming to the side of that officer.

"What, killed?"

"Ivery bit of it. I have just turned him over, and shure he is as dead
as he was before he was born. That last shot murthered the boy. It is
Terence McCarthy that will do his duty by him, and may be----"

"Corporal! to your post," broke in the Lieutenant. "Old Pigey is taking
another pull at the flask, and we will move in a minute."

The surmise of the Lieutenant was correct. "Tommy Totten" again called
the men to ranks, and right in front, the head of the column took the
pike on another advance. The Rebels seeing the movement, handled their
battery with great rapidity and dexterity, and shells in rapid
succession were thrown into the closed ranks, but without creating
confusion. Among others, a Major of the last Regiment upon the road, an
old Mexican campaigner, and a most valuable officer, fell mortally
wounded just as he was about leaving the field, and met the fate, that
by one of those singular premonitions before noticed in this
chapter,--so indicative by their frequency of a connexion in life
between man's mortal and immortal part,--he had already anticipated.

It was now about four o'clock in the afternoon. The day was somewhat
misty, and at this time the field of battle was fast becoming shrouded
by the commingled mist and smoke.

On the left of the road the Brigade formed double line of battle along
the base and side of a rather steep slope which led to the plateau
above. The ground was muddy and well trodden, and littered with dead
bodies in spots that marked the localities of exploded shells. Hungry
and fatigued with the toil of the day, yet expectant of a conflict which
must prove the death scene of many, the men sank upon their arms. From
this sam