“Suddenly—­it could not have been much past three o’clock—­a dozen rebel batteries opened upon us, and in a second we were in a tempest of flying, bursting shells.  Our guns, a few yards away, and other batteries along our line, replied.  The roar of the opening battle thundered away to the right as far as we could hear.  We were formed into line at once, and lay down upon the ground.  A few of our men were hit, however, and frightful wounds were inflicted.  After this iron storm had raged for a time we witnessed a sight that I shall never forget.  Emerging from the woods on the slope opposite to us, solid bodies of infantry, marching by columns of battalion, came steadily toward us, their bayonets scintillating in the sunlight as if aflame.  On they came till they crossed the little stream before us, and then deployed into four distinct lines of battle as steadily as if on parade.  It was hard to realize that those men were marching towards us in the bright sunlight with deadly intent.  Heretofore, in Virginia, the enemy had been partially screened in his approaches, but now all was like a panorama spread before us.  We could see our shells tearing first through their column, then through the lines of battle, making wide gaps and throwing up clouds of dust.  A second later the ranks were closed again, and, like a dark tide, on flowed their advance.

“We asked ourselves, ’What chance have our thin ranks against those four distinct, heavy battle lines advancing to assault us?’ We had but two ranks of men, they eight.  But not a man in our regiment flinched.  When the enemy reached the foot of the hill our cannon could not be so depressed as to harm them.  The time had come for the more deadly small arms.  After a momentary halt the Confederates rushed forward to the assault with loud yells.

“Strahan’s face was flushed with excitement and ardor.  He hastened to the colonel on the right of the line and asked him to order a charge.  The colonel coolly and quietly told him to go back to his place.  A crash of musketry and a line of fire more vivid than July sunshine breaks out to the right and left as far as we can hear.  Our men are beginning to fall.  Again the impetuous Strahan hastens to the colonel and entreats for the order to charge, but our commander, as quiet and as impassive as the boulder beside which he stands, again orders him back.  A moment later, however, their horses are brought, and they mount in spite of my remonstrances and those of other officers.  Strahan’s only answer was, “The men must see us to-day;” and he slowly rode to the rear and centre of the regiment, wheeled his horse, and, with drawn sword, fixed his eyes on the colonel, awaiting his signal.  Supreme as was the moment of excitement, I looked for a few seconds at my gallant friend, for I wished to fix his portrait at that moment forever in my mind.”

“Merciful Heaven!” said Marian, in a choking voice, “I thought I appreciated my friends before, but I did not.”