They were the same lads and their like who had marched forward so hopefully to Donelson and Shiloh.

Through the rain and the soughing of wheels in the mud rolled their battle songs, sung with all the spirit and fire of youth.
Colonel Winchester and all the officers helped with the cannon and wagons and soon they were covered with mud.

The Winchester regiment was in the lead, and Sergeant Whitley suddenly pointing with a thick forefinger, said: "There are the Johnnies! Their pickets are waiting for us!" Dick saw through the mist and rain a considerable body of men down the road, most of them on horseback.

He knew at once that they were Southern pickets, and the eager lads around him, seeing them, knew it, too.
Not waiting for command they set up a shout and charged down the road.
Rifles instantly flashed through the rain and a sharp fire met them.

Men fell, but others pressed on with all the more zeal, seeing just beyond the Southern pickets the roofs of a little town.