As an officer, he had a small sword, and snatching it out he waved it, while at the same time he shouted to the men to meet the charge.
The Union troops returned the fire.

Thousands of bullets were sent against the ranks of the rushing enemy.

The gunners sprang to their guns and the deep roar of the cannon rose above the crash of the small arms.
But the Southern troops, the rebel yell still rolling through the woods, came on at full speed and struck the Union front.
It seemed to Dick that he was conscious of an actual physical shock.
Tanned faces and gleaming eyes were almost against his own.

He looked into the muzzles of rifles, and he saw the morning sun flashing along the edges of bayonets.

But the regiment, although torn by bullets, did not give ground.