The horses that drew the artillery were being taken to water.
It was an awful moment and Dick's heart missed more than one beat, but in that crisis the American, often impatient of discipline, showed his power of initiative and his resolute courage.

While that bristling front of steel came on the soldiers formed themselves into line without waiting for the commands of the officers.

The artillerymen rushed to their guns.
"Kneel, men! Kneel!" shouted Colonel Winchester to his own regiment.

He and all his officers were on foot, their horses having been left in the rear the night before.
His men threw themselves down at his command, and, all along the Northern line formed so hastily, the rifles began to crackle, sending forth a sheet of fire and bullets.
The Northern cannon, handled as always with skill and courage, were at work now, too, and their shells and shot lashed the Southern ranks through and through.

But Dick saw no pause in the advance of the men in gray.