They were ready for action. They were nerved up to attempt great deeds for their country. The Rebels had been repulsed, and now they could defeat them. General Grant directed General Wallace to move forward from his position, across the brook, drive the Rebels back, and then assault their works. A large body of Rebels still held the ground, from which McClernand had been driven. General Wallace placed Colonel Morgan L. Smith's brigade in front. There was contention between the Eighth Missouri and Eleventh Indiana, for each wanted the honor of leading the assault. The Eleventh yielded to the Eighth, with the understanding that in the next assault it should have the advance. Thus with generous rivalry and unbounded enthusiasm they prepared to advance. The Eleventh followed the Eighth. Colonel Cruft's brigade, with two Ohio regiments under Colonel Ross, completed the column. Colonel Cruft formed in line of battle to the right of Colonel Smith. They crossed the brook. It was a dark and bloody ravine. The Rebel dead and wounded were lying there, thick almost as the withered forest-leaves. The snow was crimson. The brook was no longer a clear running stream, but red with blood. General Wallace was aware of the desperate character of the enterprise. He told his men what they were to do,--to drive the enemy, and storm the breastworks. "Hurrah! that's just what we want to do. Forward! Forward! We are ready!" were their answers. They could see the Rebel lines on the hill. The Rebels knew that they were to be attacked, and were ready to receive them. Colonel Smith moved up the road. His point of attack was clear, but Cruft's was through brush and over stony ground. A line of skirmishers sprang out from the Eighth Missouri. They ran up the hill, and came face to face with the Rebel skirmishers. They fought from tree to tree, firing, picking off an opponent, then falling upon the ground to reload. The regiments followed. They were half-way up the hill, when a line of fire began to run round the crest. "Down! down!" shouted Colonel Smith. The regiments fell flat, and the storm swept harmlessly over their heads. The Rebels cheered. They thought they had annihilated Colonel Smith's command. Up they rose, and rushed upon the enemy, pouring in their volleys, falling when the fight was hottest, rising as soon as the Rebels had fired. Thus they closed upon the enemy, and pushed him back over all the ground he had won in the morning, driving him into his works. General Wallace was preparing to assault the works, when an officer dashed down the line with cheering news of success upon the left.