Page:Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.djvu/57



3 P.M.

The work begins.

Light drifts of men thrown forward, fade

In skirmish-line along the slope,

Where some dislodgments must be made

Ere the stormer with the strong-hold cope.

Lew Wallace, moving to retake

The heights late lost—

(Herewith a break.

Storms at the West derange the wires.

Doubtless, ere morning, we shall hear

The end; we look for news to cheer—

Let Hope fan all her fires.)

Next day in large bold hand was seen

The closing bulletin:

VICTORY!

Our troops have retrieved the day

By one grand surge along the line;

The spirit that urged them was divine.

The first works flooded, naught could stay

The stormers: on! still on!

Bayonets for Donelson!