When, over the bridge, a troop of the enemy’s horse
Dashed out upon our course,
Giving us hope of a tussle to warm our blood.
Then we cheered, to a man, that our early call
Hadn’t been sounded for nothing, after all;
And halting, to wait their movements, the column stood.
6.
“Then into squadrons we saw their ranks enlarge,
And slow and steady they moved to the charge,
Shaking the ground as they came in carbine-range.