Two lines of battle confronted us.

We killed almost every one in the first line, and were soon charging over the second, when right in our immediate front was their third and main line of battle from which four Napoleon guns poured their deadly fire.
We did not recoil, but our line was fairly hurled back by the leaden hail that was poured into our very faces.

Eight color-bearers were killed at one discharge of their cannon.

We were right up among the very wheels of their Napoleon guns.

It was death to retreat now to either side.
Our Lieutenant-Colonel Patterson halloed to charge and take their guns, and we were soon in a hand-to-hand fight--every man for himself--using the butts of our guns and bayonets.