Beyond the taking of the fort by the cavalry the Army of the Shenandoah had made no progress, and the Southern troops were rapidly concentrating at every critical point.

Old Jube Early, mighty swearer, was proving himself a master of men.
Dick could not watch Sheridan long, as the cavalry were quickly sent off to the left to clear away skirmishers, and let the infantry and artillery get up on that front.

There were many groups of trees, and from every one of these the Southern riflemen sent swarms of bullets.

It seemed to Dick that he was preserved miraculously.

Many a bullet coming straight for his head must have turned aside at the last moment to seek a target elsewhere.