If fifteen or twenty thousand Yankees struck us on the flank while those fellows are still in front everything would go." These were young troops, who considered a retreat equivalent to a beating, and fierce murmurs ran along the line.

But the officers paid no attention, marching them steadily on, while the artillery rumbled by their side.

Both to right and left they heard the sound of firing, and they saw the smoke floating against both horizons, but they paid little attention to it.

They were wondering what was in store for them.
"Cheer up, you lads!" cried Colonel Talbot.

"You'll get all the fighting you can stand, and it won't be long in coming, either." They marched only half an hour and then the troops were drawn up on a hill, where the officers rapidly formed them into position.