These maintained a cowardly and deadly fire, the source of which could rarely be discovered, upon all coming within range, regardless of whether they were wounded men, surgeons in discharge of their duties, hospital stewards, or Red Cross assistants, thus adding a fresh horror to warfare.
It was a terrible position, and the American army was being cut to pieces without a chance to fire a gun in self-defence.

To advance appeared suicidal, to attempt a retreat meant utter destruction.

No orders could come over the blockaded road from the Commander-in-Chief, miles in the rear, nor could word of the awful situation be sent back to him in time.

The men thus trapped gazed at one another with the desperate look of hunted animals brought to bay.

Must they all die, and was there no salvation?
Suddenly a mounted officer dashed into the open, pointing with his sword to the nearest hill crowned by a block-house.