He knew that the colonel's words were true.

The Southern army, posted in its defenses, was breaking the ring of steel that sought to crush it to death.

Groups of men in blue who had seized ground in the very front of the defenses either died there or were gradually driven back.

The inner ring along its front of miles thundered incessantly on the outer ring, and repelled every attempt to crush it.
"They yield," said the colonel, after a long time.

"The Northern fire has sunk at many points, and there! and there! they're retreating! The attack has failed and the South has won a victory!" "But Grant will come again," said Dick, speaking his opinion for the first time.
"No doubt of it," said Colonel Woodville, "but likely he will come to the same fate." He spoke wholly without animosity.