Dick clearly saw the black mass of the Southern horsemen wheeling down upon them.

At least three hundred of the regiment were now upon the bank, and, with fairly steady aim, they poured a heavy volley into the massed ranks of their foe.

Dick saw horses fall while others dashed away riderless.

But the Southern line wavered only for a moment and then came on again with many shouts.

There were also dismounted men on either flank who knelt and maintained a heavy fire upon the defenders.
The lads in blue were suffering many wounds, but a line of trees and underbrush on the western shore helped them.