Their batteries were posted on both sides of him, and they, too, had found the range.

All along the front hundreds of guns were opening and John hastily thrust portions that he tore from his handkerchief into his ear, lest he be deafened forever.
The sight, at first magnificent, now became appalling.

The shells came in showers and the French ranks were torn and mangled.

Companies existed and then they were not.

The explosions were like the crash of thunderbolts, but through it all the French continued to advance.