He heard to his right the thudding of the great guns that Thomas had planted on a low hill, but the rifle fire was like the beat of hail, a crackling and hissing that never ceased.
The farm lads, their rifles loaded afresh, fired anew at the enemy, almost in their faces, and the Southern line here reeled back against so firm and deadly a front.
But an alarming report ran down the line that their left was driven back, and it was true.

The valiant Zollicoffer leading his brigade in person, had rushed upon this portion of the Northern army which was standing upon another low hill and struck it with great violence.

It was wavering and would give way soon.

But Thomas, showing the singular calm that always marked him in battle, noticed the weak spot.

The general was then near Major Hertford.