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The Star of Gettysburg - A Story of Southern High Tide by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler
page 326 of 362 (90%)

Harry and Dalton and all the Invincibles felt the thrill of triumph
shooting through them. They were advancing at last, making the first
real progress of the day.

Harry felt that the days of Jackson had come back. This was the way
in which they had always driven the foe. Ewell himself was now upon
the field. The loss of a leg had not diminished his ardor a whit.
Everywhere his troops were driving the enemy before them, increasing the
dismay which now prevailed in the ranks of men who had fought so well.

Harry began to shout with the rest, as the Southern torrent,
irresistible now, flowed toward Gettysburg, while Ewell and Hill led
their men. The town was filled with the retreating Union troops and the
cannon and rifles thundered incessantly in the rear, driving them on.
The whole Southern curve was triumphant. Ewell's men entered the town
after the fugitives, driving all before them, and leaving Gettysburg
in Southern hands.

But the Northern army was not a mob. The men recovered their spirit and
reformed rapidly. Many brave and gallant officers encouraged them and
a reserve had already thrown up strong entrenchments beyond the town on
Cemetery Hill, to which they retreated and once more faced their enemy.

Harry and Dalton stopped at Gettysburg, seeing the battle of the
vanguards won, and turned back. Their place was with the general to the
staff of whom they belonged, and they believed they would not have to
look far. With a battle that had lasted eight hours Lee would surely
be upon the field by this time, or very near it.

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