The Union troops were slowly pushed back by the weight of numbers, but then the night, the coming of which neither had noticed, swept down suddenly upon them, leaving fifteen hundred men, nearly a third of those engaged, fallen upon the small area within which the two vanguards had fought.
But the Union men did not retreat far.

Practically, they were holding their ground, when the darkness put an end to the battle, and they were full of elation at having fought a draw with superior numbers of the formidable Jackson.

Dick, although exultant, was so much exhausted that he threw himself upon the ground and panted for breath.

When he was able to rise he looked for Warner and Pennington and found them uninjured.
So was Sergeant Whitley, but the sergeant, contrary to his custom, was gloomy.
"What's the matter, sergeant ?" exclaimed Dick in surprise.

"Didn't we give 'em a great fight ?" "Splendid, Mr.Mason, I don't believe that troops ever fought better than ours did.