An important division of cavalry sent on a wide flanking movement had not yet arrived, and he wondered why.

Perhaps the thought came into his own dauntless heart that he might not succeed at all, but, if so, he hid it, and called up fresh resources of strength and courage.
It was now far into the afternoon but he resolved nevertheless to win victory before the day was over.

Everywhere the call for a new charge was sounded.
The Winchesters had a good trumpeter, a deep-chested young fellow who loved to blow forth mellow notes, and now as his brazen instrument sang the song that summoned men to death the young men unconsciously tightened the grip of the knee on their horses, and leaned a little forward, as if they would see the enemy more closely.

To the right the fire grew heavier and heavier, and most of the field was hidden by a thick veil of smoke.
Dick saw other cavalry massing on either side of the Winchester regiment, and he knew their charge was to be one of great weight and importance.
"I feel that we're going to win or lose here," he said to Warner.
"Looks like it," replied the Vermonter, "but I think you can put your money on the cavalry today.

It's Sheridan's great striking arm." "It'll have to strike with all its might, that's sure," said Dick.
He did not know that the force in front of him was commanded by a general from his own state, Breckinridge, once Vice-President of the United States and also high in the councils of the Confederacy.