“'Is that so? He was one of my most faithful Generals.'
“He sent an officer back to see that the next officer in rank should take command at once.
“Gen. Shunk said to Gen. Pike:
“'I fear that re-enforcements for the enemy are coming up. I have just captured some prisoners, who say they have marched fifteen miles to-day, and were put into the battle as soon as they arrived. They also say that the commander of the rebel armies is not more than ten miles away with at least 20,000 men.'
“'Yes, that may be so; but if Fitzgibbon will attack on the left, as I have ordered him positively to do, and Gen. Farlin comes up—who is not farther away than the rebel troops—we will be their equal in numbers.'
“'Do you think Farlin is trying to get here, General?'
“'Why, he knows we are engaged. He is an old soldier and ought to do his duty.'
“'True enough; but if he did not know his duty, and was not an old soldier, he might come sooner than he will, knowing it. I do not like to say so, General, but I have my suspicions that Farlin and Fitzgibbon do not wish you to win this battle.'
“The conversation was here broken off. The enemy having made a desperate assault on Shunk's command, he rode quickly away. By this time the battle was terrific, and the slaughter terrible on both sides. The field was beginning to look more like a slaughter-pen than anything else to which it could be compared. Men were being brought to the rear on stretchers, and also carried by their comrades without stretchers; in fact, you know it was a very common thing for several men to take hold of one to help him to the rear when sometimes the soldier had but a scratch..
“Gen. Horn, who had been in reserve up to this time, came up with his command and supported Gen. Mcintosh, who was now hard pressed. When Gen. Horn entered the field he could be heard far away, having a stentorian voice. He advanced rapidly and drove the right of Wall back far from his main line; but here, in close supporting distance, lay Longpath, with his fresh troops. He waited until Horn's line was clear in advance of the main line, and at once set upon him with great ferocity, driving him back on Mcintosh, that portion of our line giving way for the moment. Gen. Lyon's command was then furiously attacked by fresh troops. They stood the shock, but had finally to give way. Pike witnessed this terrible fighting, and said again, 'Can it be possible that Farlin will not get here in time to save this battle?' He again rode up to Gen. Lyon and asked if he still heard nothing on his left. The General answered 'No.' He then directed him to send a courier through and communicate with Fitzgibbon. By this time the heaviest fighting was on the right and center, the firing having slackened on the left. The courier was gone but a short time, when he returned and reported the enemy marching down a road to our left and forming at right angles with our line. This was easily understood, and as soon as possible our left was changed to face the troops so forming on and across our flank. New troops were thrown in at this point, to enable proper resistance to be made, their attack on our angle being made as a diversion.