Then there was a renewed burst of firing and cheering, as a regiment of veteran regulars galloped into the open space and drove off the Southern cavalry which was just about to seize the ammunition wagons and more cannon.
Encouraged by the charge of the regulars, the men in the cedar wood rose and began to reform for battle.

Now chance, or rather watchfulness, interposed to save Dick and his comrades from destruction.

Rosecrans, at another point, confident that McCook could hold out against all attacks, listened with amazement to the roar of battle coming nearer and nearer.
His officers called his attention to the fact that save at the opening there was no cannon fire.

All that approaching crash was made by rifles.
They judged from it that their cannon had been taken, but they did not know that the rush of the Southern troops had been so fast that their own batteries were not able to keep up.
Rosecrans read the signs with them and his alarm was great and justified.

Then a dispatch came from McCook telling him that his right wing was routed and he took an instant resolve.
Many regiments were marching to another point in the line, and the commander at once changed their course.