I had then but two regiments in line of battle and a third prolonging my line of skirmishers

when the avalanche rolled upon me.

Hold on there, hard and firm, there is no reserve.

It was a hard fight.

The Confederates appeared to have the devil in them.

On the other side, my men did not flinch.

Like veterans, accustomed to make the best of every resource, they had sheltered themselves

behind the rocks and trunks of trees which were on the line and their assailants were

received at a distance of twenty yards with a deadly volley, every shot of which was effective.

On both sides, each one aimed at his man and men fell dead and wounded with frightening

rapidity.

And A from the division commander came through the hail of bullets to ask another regiment

from me.

Tell General Bernie I replied to him that I have not a man left who is not upon his hands

all that he can do and tell him that far from being able to furnish reinforcements to

anyone, I shall be in need of them myself in less than a quarter of an hour.

In fact, the persistent nature of the attack showed clearly that we had a contest with

superior forces.

Happily the nature of the ground broke up their lines and enabled us to hold them at a

distance by the rapidity and precision of our fire.

One would have said that each believed the destiny of the republic was attached to the

desperate vigor of his efforts so that we maintained our hold.

...