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. Only for that instant did Wing betray his amazement. Then he fully verified the prediction of Hay. Waving his sabre above his head he shouted: “Come on, boys!” put spurs to his horse and dashed forward, leading the charge. What man among them would not have followed that “light, inspired form,” to seek glory even “in the cannon’s mouth?” Like an angel of destruction he rushed onward, followed by all his men. The enemy, seeing this new movement, turned their guns as quickly as possible upon the charging party. The first shot in this direction, as on the former occasion, tore its way through the centre of the advancing body, strewing mutilated and dying men and horses in its track, and leaving even those who were unhurt half disabled by their restive horses. They were now approaching the battery by a very broad road, bordered on each side by high wooded banks. An instant’s hesitation now on the part of Wing must have been fatal to the success of the expedition. But there was no such hesitation. “CLOSE ON THE CENTRE—FORWARD!” came the deep, sweet, solemn tones of the young leader. And the men closed in close columns, filling up the gap torn by the cannon ball, and, over the dead and dying, galloped onward. Again came the shot booming from the battery, and ripping its way through the middle of the advancing column, scattering men and horses dead and dying upon the ground. “CLOSE ON THE CENTRE—FORWARD!” again sounded the voice of the young leader. And again the men filled up the gap and galloped onward. Once more a shot came splitting its way through the middle of the column, strewing its path with the dead and the dying. Once more came the solemn voice of the leader. “CLOSE ON THE CENTRE—FORWARD!” And as before the men closed up the column and continued the march.