“'No, Gen. Pike,' said Gen. Lyon; 'you imagine so; for I assure you I have watched and listened for some movement on my left. There has been none whatever.' “Gen. Shunk came up just at that moment and said: “'Gen. Pike, Gen. Rackett is killed.' “'Is that so? He was one of my most faithful Generals.' “He sent an officer back to see that the next officer in rank should take command at once. “Gen. Shunk said to Gen. Pike: “'I fear that re-enforcements for the enemy are coming up. I have just captured some prisoners, who say they have marched fifteen miles to-day, and were put into the battle as soon as they arrived. They also say that the commander of the rebel armies is not more than ten miles away with at least 20,000 men.' “'Yes, that may be so; but if Fitzgibbon will attack on the left, as I have ordered him positively to do, and Gen. Farlin comes up--who is not farther away than the rebel troops--we will be their equal in numbers.' “'Do you think Farlin is trying to get here, General?' “'Why, he knows we are engaged. He is an old soldier and ought to do his duty.' “'True enough; but if he did not know his duty, and was not an old soldier, he might come sooner than he will, knowing it. I do not like to say so, General, but I have my suspicions that Farlin and Fitzgibbon do not wish you to win this battle.' “The conversation was here broken off. The enemy having made a desperate assault on Shunk's command, he rode quickly away. By this time the battle was terrific, and the slaughter terrible on both sides. The field was beginning to look more like a slaughter-pen than anything else to which it could be compared. Men were being brought to the rear on stretchers, and also carried by their comrades without stretchers; in fact, you know it was a very common thing for several men to take hold of one to help him to the rear when sometimes the soldier had but a scratch..