The cannonade itself was conducive to slumber.

The guns were fired at regular intervals, which created a sort of rhythm.

The shells with their trailing white smoke ceased to interest him, and his eyelids grew heavier.

It was now about 2:30 o'clock and as his eyes were about to close a sudden shout made him open them wide and then spring to his feet.
"Look out! Look out!" cried Sergeant Whitley, "The Johnnies are coming!" The Union forces in an instant were in line, rifles ready and eager.
The gray masses were already charging across the fields and hills, while their cannon made a sudden and rapid increase in the volume of fire.
Their batteries were coming nearer, too, and the shells hitherto harmless were now shrieking and hissing among their ranks, killing and wounding.
Dick looked around him.

The members of the slim Winchester regiment were all veterans; but thousands of the Ohio lads were recruits who had never seen battle before.