In the woods to the left Jackson was hotly engaged. The musketry fire was terrific, and it seemed neither to advance nor recede. A curtain of smoke that hung over the tree-tops told us where the fighting was going on, but not a soul could be seen. For more than two hours this desperate struggle continued, when a soldier or two in blue emerged from the woods into the open plain, rushing frantically in the direction of the Federal reserves. Another and another followed, and presently a heavily column, torn and shattered, broke forth from the woods in wild confusion. A moment after, in close pursuit, a column in grey appeared, moving at the double-quick with the most beautiful precision, though subjected to the fire of a battery of artillery, which opened on them as soon as they appeared. But the glorious column never wavered. On, on, they pressed. The enemy was seeking protection behind the battery. It mattered not, they would take battery and infantry too; all the better. Oh! how it made my heart ache as I saw the great gaps rent by grape and canister as they pressed on in this desperate charge. But “forward” was the command, and “forward” they went. The battery is neared; no hesitation there; and in an instant it is enveloped by our grey jackets. A yell, a wild Confederate yell, announced the success of the charge, and in a moment we saw them retire with hundreds of prisoners and the captured battery. “Glorious, glorious,” exclaimed the heroic Hood, at whose side I was standing, and who was most anxiously watching the charge. “Who can it be?” An aid-de-camp presently appeared riding at full speed in the direction of General Lee’s headquarters. Hood hailed him with, “Who made that splendid charge?” “Bradley Johnson, in command of the Third Virginia brigade,” was the response. How my heart thrilled with pride and pleasure as I heard the announcement; for it was my late Colonel, fighting like the members of Atkins’ brigade, without a commission. But what means this demonstration in our immediate front? Cheer after cheer, huzza upon huzza, and presently a long line of skirmishers appear over the intervening hill. An attack beyond question. They are met unhesitatingly by our skirmishers, and a fierce fight ensues. But the dense, dark column that now comes in view compels our advance to fall back. But Hood, with his Texans, Virginians and Mississippians, are in waiting. Rapidly they approach, and musket balls are whistling in every direction. “Let them come a little closer,” I heard him remark to a staff officer, “they shall have a reception.” Just then a voice behind us was heard to command, “Charge, General, charge!” Judge my feelings as I turned my head and saw our beloved Lee sitting calmly upon his iron-grey, with but a single aid, and exposed to this severe fire.