The genius of Lee and Jackson which bore up the Confederacy was triumphing once again.

Dick shut his teeth in grim despair.

He heard the triumphant shouts of the advancing enemy, and he saw that not only his own regiment, but the whole Northern line, was being driven back, slowly it is true, but they were going.
Now at the critical moment, Lee was hurling forward every man and gun.
Although his army was inferior in numbers he was always superior at the point of contact, and his exultant veterans pressed harder and harder upon their weakening foes.

Only the artillery behind them now protected Dick and his comrades.

But the Confederates still came with a rush.
Jackson was leading on his own men who had stood so long on the defensive.