This was action, movement, the attack that had been delayed so long but which was not yet too late.

He thought nothing of the shells hissing and shrieking over his head, and he shouted with the others in exultation as they passed the fords of the Antietam and set foot on the peninsula.

The cannon dashed after them through the stream and up the bank.
A heavy rifle fire from the woods met them, but the triumphant division pressed on.

They were held back at the edge of the woods by cannon aiding the rifles, and for some time a battle swayed back and forth, but the Confederate resistance ceased suddenly.

Infantry and batteries disappeared in woods or beyond a ridge, and then Dick noticed that night was coming.