was sprung.

Then what a change!--like that when the thunder-storm, long gathering
but still silent, breaks at once into desolating fury. It seemed as if
at one and the same instant the four Union batteries opened, and a
terrible concentrating storm of flame and projectiles leaped from the
muzzles of twenty-four pieces of artillery and burst upon their centre
with devastating effect. In an instant after, the infantry sprung to
their feet, and a sheet of fire burst from right to left, one deadly and
irresistible shower of lead sweeping through the rebel ranks that had so
little expected such a reception. They hesitated--halted--recoiled.
Before they could recover from the awful shock, volley after volley was
poured into their wavering lines, and they could not again be brought
forward. On the instant when their discomfiture was clearly perceived, a
charge was ordered against them. The Union men dashed forward, glad to
have that order at last, and breaking into ringing cheers--the first in
which they had indulged that day. The rebels could not stand a moment
before that impetuous onset, but broke and ran for the cover of the
white-oaks, leaving the ground of the conflict almost impassable with
the terrible piles of their dead and wounded.

A general advance of our lines was now ordered, and the command was
obeyed with alacrity. The rebel front, weakened by the withdrawal of so
many troops for the grand flanking movement, gave way before they could
be reached with the steel; and their three-deep lines became mixed up in
the most hopeless disorder. Kearney's division made a gallant charge, in
this movement, Sickles' Excelsior Brigade once more evidencing that
splendid steadiness with the bayonet which had been so conspicuous at
Williamsburgh and Fair Oaks. General Heintzelman joined in this
brilliant advance, his tall form and blue blouse conspicuous as he rode
rapidly along the lines, speaking words of cheer and steadying the men
who did not need urging forward.

The Union batteries had meanwhile kept up their terrible fire, while
those of the enemy were silenced one after another and drawn off with
the recoiling troops, with the exception of one battery, which
maintained its fire with invincible obstinacy. It was felt that this
battery must be taken or silenced. A stream of men in dingy French blue
were seen to leap forward, and it was known that the Excelsior boys were
making a dash at the battery. The gunners saw the