There would be glory for the whole Union cavalry if they drove back the Southern attack.

Dick saw the glitter of his colonel's eye and the sharp compression of his lips.
But the men of Forrest, although nearly within rifle shot, did not charge.

Their bugle sang again, but Dick did not know what the tune meant.

Then they melted away into the deep forest on their flank, and some of the troop thought they had gone, daunted by the firm front of their foe.
But Dick knew better.

Forrest would never retreat before an inferior force, and he was full of wiles and stratagems.