Under Fire: A Tale of the Shenandoah Valley — page 157: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

150 IN THE ENEMY’S HANDS. on a mettlesome and powerful steed, who sniffled the battle from afar, and seemed anxious to enter the fray. But he could be no more anxious than was his new master. Captain Chetwood soon gained the sumunit tof a hill, from which he could look down upon the Middletown meadows. : What a sight met his gazae! Below, in the wooded field, the crash of battle was at its height—a confused mass of dashing horsemen, marching infantry, gleaming bayonets, and flash of musketry and carbines. The din was awful. The earth trembled under the heavy discharges of artillery; while the shouts of the combatants were heard above the roar and crash of arins. For a moment Captain Chetwood paused, ere rush- ing headlong into this woeful confusion. Merritt’s and Custer’s brave boys were struggling there, holding in check the flower of Southern chiv- alry, while Sheridan’s routed veterans were falling rapidly back to assume 4 new lease. It was a grand sight, thrilling to the last degree. Tightening his rein, the Union captain spoke to his horse, who, with a fierce neigh, dashed down toward the scene of conflict. Soon horse and rider were lost to view in the smoke of battle. | Forward among the gallant heroes of Merritt’s di- vision Captain Chetwood passed, and soon found ee self in the midst of the fray. In one part of the field the cavalrymen were dis- mounted, and fought from behind trees, Indian fash- ion. Union lead cut through bones and muscle, and many a gray-coat was sent to his long last account. ‘‘Give it to ’em Hail Columby!’’ shouted a_ stout Gomicbooks (eo)