faces. Couch's division on the left had been thrown forward
almost at the same moment, and the order was obeyed with equal alacrity
and effect. Then the whole line was ordered to advance, and away they
went with ringing shouts, like so many confined school-boys suddenly let
out for an hour's play, but going, alas!--to a game of "ball" that
entailed death on many of the players.

The brave Irishmen of Meagher were already in the advance, blazing and
chopping away with that indomitable good humor which seems to be the
normal condition of the Hibernian when fairly launched into his darling
fight. In this general advance Duryea's blue, red and baggy Zouaves led
the way, as they had done in many a fight before, and always with
success,--dashing savagely on the foe with ear-splitting shouts peculiar
to themselves, and borrowed from the well-known war-cry of the
corresponding regiments in the French service. The long Federal line of
bristling steel pushed on at double-quick with irresistible force; and
it was only for an instant that any portion of the Confederate line
stood to meet it. At last discouraged and appalled--perhaps as much by
the appearance and the war-cry of the never-defeated Zouaves as by any
other agency that could have been brought to bear upon them,--they first
wavered in front, then grew unsteady in the main body, and at last broke
and fled in confusion and indecent haste, seeking once more the shelter
of the woods from which they were no more to emerge as an attacking
party.

The Federal troops were not allowed to follow them to the woods, night
falling and the commander being indisposed to allow his exhausted troops
any further exertion. The rebels left, in this last attack, several
dismounted pieces of artillery, many blown-up caissons, and thousands of
small arms, besides a thousand unhurt prisoners and a field literally
covered with dead and wounded. The battle of Malvern Hill was over,
though the rebel artillery continued to belch at intervals until after
ten o'clock at night, the Federal advanced batteries replying to every
fire. At length, and when the still summer night had thus far fallen on
the late scene of conflict, the last rebel shot was sullenly fired, the
last response was made by the Federal gunners, and the long conflict
ceased. The baffled and beaten rebels, who had certainly fought with
bravery and determination worthy of a better cause, fell back behind the
sheltering woods and commen