We must fall back on our last
reserve--"
He quickly lowered his glasses.
"I haven't a courier left, Colonel. You must help me--"
"Certainly, General."
"Find Johnston, and ask him to at once mass the reserves to support and
protect our retreat--"
Evans started immediately to execute the order.
"Wait!" Beauregard shouted.
His glasses were again fixed on the advancing flag. A gust of wind
suddenly flung its folds into the bright Southern sky line--the Stars
and Bars of the Confederacy!
"Glory to God!" the commander exclaimed. "They're our men!"
The dark face of the little General flashed with excitement as he turned
to Evans:
"Ride, Colonel--ride with all your might and order General Kirby Smith
to press his command forward at double quick and strike that circling
line in the flank and rear!"
There were but two thousand in the advancing column but the moral effect
of their sudden assault on the rear of the advancing victorious men,
unconscious of their presence, would be tremendous. A charge at the same
moment by his entire army confronting the enemy might snatch victory out
of the jaws of defeat.
Beauregard placed himself at the head of his hard-pressed front, and
waited the thrilling cry of Smith's men.
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