51 THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. «<lges of the ]>lain into the forest, and it was sharp, hr the enemy was st rough' re in forced. The federals fought not less firmly, encouraged by their chiefs, Hooker, Heintzehnan, and Kearney. Kearney in especial, who lost an arm in Mexico, and fought with th : French at the Jhtzaia and at Solferino, had displayed the finest courage. All his aids had fallen around him, and left alone he had electrified his men by his intrepidity. During all this time the part of the army massed on the road to the right remained passive. A single division only had come up, and the generals in command could not resolve to throw it into the engagement without seeing its supports. These supports were delayed by the swollen streams, the encumbered Bails, the shattered wagons sticking in the mud. Hut all the while the sound of Hooker's musketry was in onr ears. 11 is division was cut up and falling back. His guns had been heard at first in front, then on one side, and they were receding still. The balls and the shells began to whistle and shatter the trees over the fresh division as it stood immovable and expectant. It was now three o'clock, and the generals resolved to act One division passed through the woods to flank the regiments which weie driving Hookei, while to the extreme right a brigade passed the creek on a.t old mill bridge, which the enemy had failed Io scenrii, and debouched upon the flank of the Williamsburg works. The confederates did not expect this attack, which, if successful, must sweep everything be- foi it. They dispatched two brigades, which advanced r< ohitely through (he corn fields to drive back the federals. The latter coolly allowed their foes to come up, and received them with a tremendous lire of artillery. Tin confederates imshaki-u, pushed on within thirty yards of the cannon’s month, shouting, *• Hull Kmi! Hull Kim!” as the Swiss used to shout, 11 Gransoii ! Granson ! ’’ There, however, they 'wavered, and the federal General Hancock, seizing the moment
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