Numbers were against them, and Banks, their leader, had been defeated already by Jackson, but they meant to stop him, nevertheless.
The Southern guns replied.

Posted along the slopes of Slaughter Mountain, sinister of name, they sent a sheet of death upon the Union ranks.

But the regiments, the new and the old, stood firm.

Those that had been beaten before by Jackson were resolved not to be beaten again by him, and the new regiments from the west, one or two of which had been at Shiloh, were resolved never to be beaten at all.
"The lads are steady," said Colonel Winchester.

"It's a fine sign.