The young recruits were receiving their baptism of fire and it was accompanied by many wounds and death.
The earthworks in front were hidden for a little while by drifting smoke, but the Invincibles, mad with pain and rage, rushed through it.

They were anxious to get at those who were stinging them so terribly, and fortunately for them the defenders did not have time to pour in another volley.

Harry saw Colonel Talbot still in front, waving his sword, and near him Lieutenant-Colonel St.Hilaire, also with an uplifted sword, which he pointed straight toward the earthwork.
"On, lads, on!" shouted the colonel.

"It is nothing! Another moment and the fort is ours!" Harry heard the hissing of heavy missiles above him.

The light guns of the Invincibles had unlimbered on the slope, and fired once over their heads into the fort.