We were in a field when the Germans dropped on us all of a sudden as
though from the sky. The first hint we had of their presence was when
a battery of guns on our right sang out, dropping shells into a mob of
us who were waiting for our turn at the washtub--the river. We all ran
to our posts in response to bugles, and by the time we all stood to
arms the German cavalry came into view in great strength all along the
left front. As soon as they came within range we poured a deadly volley
into them, emptying saddles right and left, and they scattered in all
directions. Meanwhile their artillery kept working up closer on the
front and the right, and a dark cloud of infantry showed out against
the sky-line on our front, advancing in formation rather loose for the
Germans. We opened on them, and they made a fine target for our rifle
fire, which was very well supported by our artillery. The fire from our
guns was very effective, the range being found with ease, and we could
see the shells dropping right into the enemy’s ranks. Here and there
their lines began to waver and give way, and finally they disappeared:
_A Wounded Guardsman_.