Vacancies made by wounds and death were closed almost
instantly. In the strange, luminous twilight made by the approaching
storm, the impetuous advance was wonderfully distinct in the
distance, like a vivid silhouette.
As the head of the column drew near the gentle acclivity, it fairly
seemed to crumble. Grape shot was now making havoc; but for every
man and horse that fell, two apparently came on as from an
exhaustless reservoir. High above all sounds now came a yell which,
once heard, can never be forgotten, and the Confederate column
deployed at a gallop, charging the ridge. The Union skirmish line
had already retired to the right, while pouring over the ridge by
which they had been hitherto concealed, came rank after rank of men
in blue, their deeper chest shouts blending with the shriller cries
of their enemies. Charge was being met with counter charge. Cannon
were silent, for now friends and foes were too near together. Even
the clouds loomed silently, as if in suspense, over the terrific
shock of the two lines of approaching cavalry.
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