The Northern regiments now opening with their rifles and taking better aim came on in splendid order.
"What a magnificent charge!" Harry heard Sherburne exclaim.
The rifles by thousands were at work, and the unceasing crash sent echoes far through the mountains.

The Southerners at the edge of the cliff were cut down by the fire of their enemy from below.

Their loss was now far greater than that of the North, and their officers sought to draw them back from the verge, to a ridge where they could receive the charge, just as it reached the crest and pour into them their full fire.
The eager young regiment from Georgia refused to obey.
"Have we come all these hundreds of miles from Georgia to run before Yankees ?" they cried, and stood there pulling trigger at the enemy, while their own men fell fast before the bitter Northern hail.
Harry, too, was forced to admire the great resolution and courage with which the Northern troops came upward, but he turned away to be ready for any command that Jackson might give him.

The general stood by a rock attentively watching the fierce battle that was going on, but not yet giving any order.

But Harry fancied that he saw his eyes glisten as he beheld the ardor of his troops.
A detachment of Virginians, posted in the rear, seeing a break in the first line, rushed forward without orders, filled the gap and came face to face with the men in blue.