As the fight proceeded, the enemy seemed to become steadily more numerous.

It was apparent that reinforcements were arriving from some large party in the rear.
The negro troops, who had been boasting of what they would do to the Indians, were now singing a different tune.
"We'll jes' blow 'em off'm de fahm," they had said, before there was an enemy in sight.

Now, every time the foe would charge us, some of the darkies would cry: "Heah dey come! De whole country is alive wif 'em.

Dere must be ten thousand ob dem.

Massa Bill, does you-all reckon we is ebber gwine to get out o' heah ?" The major, who had been lying under the cannon since receiving his wound, asked me if I thought there was a chance to get back to the fort.