“Hurrah!” shouted some of the boys on the right of the column. “Our brigade is to commence the attack.”
“How do you know?” growled Hapgood, who did not think a soldier ought to know any thing about the plan of the battle.
“We are ordered to move,” replied Tom. “I suppose that’s all they know about it.”
The prophets on the right were correct this time, for the regiment was soon sent to the right of the road, and ordered to deploy as skirmishers. A battery was thrown forward in front of the felled timber; but before a gun could be fired, two officers and two privates were seen to fall before the unerring aim of the rebel sharpshooters, occupying the rifle pits which dotted the cleared land in front of the forts.
“That’s a hot place,” said Ben Lethbridge.
“We shall all see hot work before the sun goes down to-night,” replied Tom. “But let us stand up to it like men.”
“That’s the talk, Tom!” exclaimed Hapgood.
“Have you got those socks on, my boy?”
“I have, uncle; and I have the letter and the photograph in my pocket.”
“Good, Tom! After this day’s work is over, you can write the lady a letter, and tell her that her socks have been in a battle.”