The crackle of rifle shots ahead increased rapidly.

The skirmishers were already pulling trigger, and, as Dick galloped back to Hertford he saw many puffs of white smoke down the road and in the fields and woods on either side.

The Union men began to cheer.

In the West they had suffered no such defeats as their brethren in the East, and every pulse beat with confidence.

As the whole line moved forward the Southern cannon began to crash and their shells swept the road.
The cavalry were advancing in a field, but they were yet held back to a slow walk.