I knew, however, that the attack was more critical than he supposed;
hastened back; came up with two regiments; and they ascended the hill
at full gallop, leaping the ravines, and darting toward the crest.

Suddenly it blazed with staggering volleys. The Federal cavalry had
rushed straight across the fields toward the hill--ascended its western
slope as we ascended the eastern, and met us--coming on, in squadron
front, they struck the Confederates advancing in column of fours, and
in confusion from the rough ground--they recoiled--were thrown into
disorder; and with loud cheers the enemy swarmed all over Fleetwood
Hill.

The battle seemed lost. Stuart was cut off, and hemmed in between two
powerful bodies of Federal cavalry, supported by infantry and
artillery.

All that saved us at that moment, was the "do or die" fighting of the
cavalry and horse artillery.

On the crest of Fleetwood took place a bitter and obstinate struggle.
It was one of those fights of the giants, which once witnessed is never
forgotten. The cannoneers of the horse artillery fought as savagely,
hand to hand, as the regular cavalry; and the crest became the scene of
a mad wrestle, rather of wild beasts than men.

All at once the form of Davenant appeared amid the smoke. He had come
rapidly from the front, and now threw himself into the combat like the
bloodhound to which Stuart had compared him. His sad smile had
disappeared; his cheeks were flushed; his eyes fiery;--leaping from his
horse, he seized the sponge-staff of a gun, from which all the