Their road lay for some miles through the mountainous and heavily wooded country east of C. Then through open fields and meadows, and lastly into the depths of the valley forest.
At noon they halted for an hour’s rest and refreshment, that men and horses might be in good fighting order when they should arrive at their destination.
Then they continued their march until they emerged from the forest and entered upon the more open country, diversified with hills and valleys, groves and meadows, brooks and rivers.
Winding between the hills, striking across the meadows and fording the rivers, they at length came in sight of the entrenched saltpetre works.
Then a momentary halt was called; an order was given; the bugle sounded the charge, and the whole cavalry force advanced at a gallop.
A fierce fire was immediately opened upon them from behind the breastworks.
In the hail of bullets a man fell here and there, and a riderless horse bounded out of the line of march and rushed madly over the plain. And these gallant men dashed onward under that storm of death to take the works by assault.
But presently a more serious danger menaced them. The one section of a battery possessed by the rebels of this post consisted of two guns. These guns were now brought into position and trained so as to bear directly upon the right flank of the approaching column; and the first shot fired, at so short a distance, took fatal effect, tearing its way through, and leaving a track of death filled up with riders and horses overthrown, struggling, wounded, mutilated, dying, or dead.
“Captain Wing! advance with your company and take that battery!” shouted the major commanding the expedition.
For one instant Wing looked up astonished; for the order was a desperate one, and the duty well nigh a forlorn hope.