It was a race, indeed. A New Hampshire regiment was marching parallel with a Confederate regiment, and each were intent on reaching a certain high piece of ground. As they ran, the bullets whizzed {133}back and forth, from both sides, and these pleasantries were kept up. “The Johnnies are ahead--no, they have fallen back a little. The New Hampshire boys are in the lead now. They've reached the ground. Hurrah!” shouted Harry, and in his excitement he threw up his cap, and caught it on the point of his bayonet. As soon as the winners gained the coveted point, they poured shot into their late rivals' ranks. [Illustration: 8141] The artillery was heaviest near the church, and the dead lay so thick that they could have formed a foot bridge the entire length of the line. “Wonder why Porter and Burnside keep so still?” This question was asked again and again. “See the rebs mowing down our men like ripe grass! Why don't they come to our assistance?” “They are keeping their troops as reserves. The Confeds don't hold any of their men back, but launch every one of them at us.” “That don't seem to me to be the right policy,” said Ralph. “But look--Franklin has come up from Crampton's Gap just in the nick of time. He is very welcome, for there are fresh troops advancing, from the right flank of the boys in gray.” Franklin's opportune coming infused new hope, and the boys' {134}eyes brightened, cheery words went round, and muskets were handled with a will. “General Burnside's orders are to take that bridge. We've got to do it; it won't be very much work, and then we'll soon be over to see our friends on the other side.” “You think that's easy, do you? Wait and see. We're on low ground here, but the land over the other side is higher, and the road runs alongside the stream. Those fellows have their guns well placed, and can damage us bad.” The bridge they were expected to take, was of stone, and rather narrow. The first brigade to attempt to cross was General Crook's. “Hark! he's gone the wrong way. The rebels are pouring shot into him. He'll be cut all to pieces.” The General had struck the wrong road, and was being subjected to a heavy fire. A Maryland regiment and a New Hampshire followed him on the double quick, but retreated, as they could not stand the fire! “There is help for us now,” said Ralph, “for they are bringing up some guns that will speak loud for our side.” Two heavy guns were soon thundering over the ground, and commanding the boys in gray who were guarding the bridge? Their persuasive tones opened the passage, and triumphantly the Union men crossed the bridge, and secured the position. Four hours had been consumed, and thus General Lee improved his chance to bring fresh troops to his aid, who drove Burnside from the heights, and retook a battery which he had captured.