_Flank._--The right or left side of a body of men, or place. When it is said that the enemy by a flank march outflanked our right wing, it is understood that he put himself on our right hand. When two armies stand face to face the right flank of one is opposite the left flank of the other. _File._--Two soldiers,--a front rank and a rear rank man. _Fuse._--A slow-burning composition in shells, set on fire by the flash of the cannon. The length of the fuse is proportioned to the intended range of the shells. _Grape._--A large number of small balls tied up in a bag. _Howitzer._--A cannon of large calibre and short range, commonly used for throwing shells, grape, and canister. _Limber._--The fore part of a field gun-carriage, to which the horses are attached. It has two wheels, and carries ammunition the same as the caisson. _Pontoon._--A bridge of boats for crossing streams, which may be carried in wagons. _Parabola._--The curve described by a shell in the air. _Range._--The distance to which shot, shells, or bullets may be fired. _Reveille._--The first drum-beat in the morning. _Rifle-Pits._--Excavations in the earth or other shelter for riflemen. _Spherical Case._--A thin shell of cast-iron filled with bullets, with a fuse, and a charge of powder sufficient to burst it. It contains about ninety bullets. _Wings._--The right and left divisions of a body of troops, distinguished from the centre. MY DAYS AND NIGHTS ON THE BATTLE-FIELD. INTRODUCTORY. TO THE YOUTH OF THE UNITED STATES. In my boyhood, my young friends, I loved to sit beside my grandfather and listen to his stories of Bunker Hill and Saratoga,--how he and his comrades stood upon those fields and fought for their country. I could almost see the fight and hear the cannon's roar, the rattle of the musketry, and the shouts of victory. They won their independence, and established the best government the world ever saw. But there are men in this country who hate that government, who have plotted against it, and who have brought about the present Great Rebellion to destroy it. I have witnessed some of the battles which have been fought during this war, although I have not been a soldier, as my grandfather was, and I shall try, in this volume, to picture those scenes, and give correct descriptions of the ground, the marching of the troops, the positions they occupied, and other things, that you may understand how your father, or your brothers, or your friends, fought for the dear old flag. CHAPTER I. HOW THE REBELLION CAME ABOUT.