On another knoll, at a little distance, were several-field pieces, standing "in battery," the cannoneers at the guns, the postillions dismounted and holding their horses by the bits, the caisson men standing in readiness to serve out ammunition.

Our men were evidently close at hand in strong force, and the engagement was likely to open at any instant.
For a minute we were speechless with astonishment.

Then came a surge of excitement.

What should we do?
What could we do?
Obviously nothing.
Eleven hundred, sick, enfeebled prisoners could not even overpower their guards, let alone make such a diversion in the rear of a line-of-battle as would assist our folks to gain a victory.

But while we debated the engine whistled sharply--a frightened shriek it sounded to us--and began pushing our train rapidly backward over the rough and wretched track.
Back, back we went, as fast as rosin and pine knots could force the engine to move us.