The Montgomery Grays participated in this fight, and during this Andy had an experience which he was not likely to forget for many long days to come. The cavalry were moving slowly through the woods when the command came to turn to the right and take a narrow path leading close up to the river bank. “Be careful, men,” cautioned Captain Montgomery. “This would be a hard road on foot, and on horseback it is ten times worse. Look out that you don’t have a tumble into the river.” The command was still an eighth of a mile from the bluff, and the horsemen were moving along silently, when suddenly from the opposite shore there rang out half a dozen rifle shots in quick succession. Two of the cavalrymen were wounded and the horse immediately in front of Andy’s animal fell headlong, shot through the knee. The fall of this horse caused Firefly to balk and rear. Andy caught him tightly by the reins, but this was useless, and a second later boy and animal were plunging through the brush to the river below! “Andy Arlington has fallen overboard!” sang out Leroy, in consternation. There followed a great splash and two more rifle shots, and boy and horse disappeared from view. But not for long. In a moment Firefly reappeared, snorting and blowing the water from his mouth and nostrils, and Andy came up shaking his head like a water spaniel. Both struck out for the shore, but the current was too strong for each, and they were swept onward and out of sight of those above. “They are lost!” groaned Leroy, and the others thought he must be right, for going forward meant to move into the very teeth of the enemy. Crack! Another rifle rang out, followed by the puff of smoke from a screen of green leaves. A Union sharpshooter had taken close aim and the bullet clipped one of Andy’s wet locks. But now he had gained Firefly’s side and he crouched down beside the faithful steed for protection. Here and there in the stream were spots where the bottom could be touched. But the current would not let them stand still, even had they been so inclined, and Andy certainly was not. They were hurled forward until under the very edge of the bluff. At that time the fighting upon Ball’s Bluff was at its highest pitch. Colonel Baker of the Union forces was making a desperate endeavor to retreat to the flatboats which had brought him across the river and the Confederate forces, posted in the woods surrounding the bluff, were pouring in their deadly fire with fearful effect. The cracking of firearms was incessant and reached Andy’s ears plainly, yet he hardly paid attention, for his one thought was to save himself and his faithful Firefly from drowning. Opposite to Ball’s Bluff is a place called Conrad’s Ferry, and in the middle of the river between these two points lies a long, low, rocky bit of soil called Harrison’s Island. Some of the Federal troops were stationed on this island and it was to this Andy found himself drifting.