Then he heard another fire, heavy and continuous, in their front, coming quite clearly on a breeze that blew toward them.
"Your whole regiment is engaged," exclaimed Grierson.

"Forrest must have forded the river elsewhere!" He turned and shook aloft his saber.
"Forward, lads!" he shouted.

"Gallant men of our own army will be overwhelmed unless we get up in time!" The whole force broke into a gallop through the woods, the fire in their front rapidly growing heavier.

In ten minutes they would be there, but rifles suddenly blazed from the forest on their flank and many saddles were emptied.

Nothing upsets like surprise, and for a few moments the whole command was in disorder.