It was criminal to stay calmly in one spot and make no effort to stay destruction.

He loitered in a fever of eagerness for the division commander to apply to him.
As he warily moved about, he heard the general call out irritably: "Tompkins, go over an' see Taylor, an' tell him not t' be in such an all-fired hurry; tell him t' halt his brigade in th' edge of th' woods; tell him t' detach a reg'ment--say I think th' center 'll break if we don't help it out some; tell him t' hurry up." A slim youth on a fine chestnut horse caught these swift words from the mouth of his superior.

He made his horse bound into a gallop almost from a walk in his haste to go upon his mission.

There was a cloud of dust.
A moment later the youth saw the general bounce excitedly in his saddle.
"Yes, by heavens, they have!" The officer leaned forward.

His face was aflame with excitement.