mile as rapidly as possible, infold the right of the Confederate position, and then move upon it concentrically.  Counting from the left, the Tenth, the Seventh, and the Fourteenth were to constitute the first line of battle, while five companies of cavalry, then the First, and then the Fifth formed the second line.  Not until Gahogan might have time to wind into the enemy’s right rear should Gildersleeve move out of the wood and commence the real attack.

“You will go straight at the front of their right,” said Waldron, with a gay smile, to this latter Colonel.  “Send up two companies as skirmishers.  The moment they are clearly checked, lead up the other eight in line.  It will be rough work.  But keep pushing.  You won’t have fifteen minutes of it before Thomas, on your left, will be climbing the end of the ridge to take the rebels in flank.  In fifteen minutes more Gahogan will be running in on their backs.  Of course, they will try to change front and meet us.  But they have extended their line a long way in order to cover the whole ridge.  They will not be quick enough.  We shall get hold of their right, and we shall roll them up.  Then, Colonel Stilton, I shall expect to see the troopers jumping into the gaps and making prisoners.”

“All right, Colonel,” answered Stilton in that hoarse growl which is apt to mark the old cavalry officer.  “Where shall we find you if we want a fresh order?” “I shall be with Colburn, in rear of Gildersleeve.  That is our centre.  But never mind me; you know what the battle is to be, and you know how to fight it.  The whole point with the infantry is to fold around the enemy’s right, go in upon it concentrically, smash it, and roll up their line.  The cavalry will watch against the infantry being flanked, and when the latter have seized the hill, will charge for prisoners.  The artillery will reply to the enemy’s guns with shell, and fire grape at any offensive demonstration.  You all know your duties, now, gentlemen.  Go to your commands, and march!”

The colonels saluted and started off at a gallop.  In a few minutes twenty-five hundred men were in simultaneous movement.  Five companies of cavalry wheeled into column of companies, and advanced at a trot through the fields, seeking to gain the shelter of the forest.  The six infantry regiments slid up alongside of each other, and pushed on in six parallel columns of march, two on the right of the road and four on the left.  The artillery, which alone left the highway, followed at a distance of two or three hundred yards.  The remaining cavalry made a wide detour to the right as if to flank the enemy’s left.