He was a soldier's soldier, a soldier's general, and he spoke encouraging words, most of which they could not hear amid the roar of the battle, but his calm face told their import, and fresh courage came into their hearts.
The news spread gradually that Thomas only was holding fast, but now his men instead of being discouraged were filled with pride.

It was they and they alone whom the Southerners could not overwhelm, and Thomas and his generals inspired them with the belief that they were invincible.

Charge after charge broke against them.

More ground was yielded, but at the same immense price, and the corps, sullen, indomitable, maintained its order, always presenting a front to the foe, blazing with death.
Thomas stood all day, while the Southern masses, flushed by victory everywhere else, pressed harder.

Terrible reports of defeat and destruction came to him continually, but he did not flinch.