The rolling fire burst from the Southern front, and the cannon on their
flanks crashed heavily. Then their infantry came forward fast, and with
a wild shout and rush the two thousand cavalry on their flanks charged.
As Colonel Winchester had expected, the two weak brigades, although
Rosecrans in person was among them, gave way, retreated rapidly to the
little river and crossed it.

The Confederates came on in swift pursuit, but Negley's Kentuckians and
the other Union men, standing fast, received them with a tremendous
volley. It was at short range, and their bullets crashed through the
crowded Southern ranks. The Winchesters were on the flank of the
defenders, where they could get a better view, and although they also
were firing as fast as they could reload and pull the trigger, they saw
the great column pause and then reel.

Rosecrans, who had fallen back with the retreating brigades, instantly
noted the opportunity. Here, a general who received too little reward
from the nation, and to whom popular esteem did not pay enough tribute,
rushed two brigades across Stone River and hurled them with all their
weight upon the Southern flank. Sixty cannon posted on the hillocks just
behind the river poured an awful fire upon the Southern column. The fire
from front and flank was so tremendous that the Southerners, veterans as
they were, gave way. The men who had held victory in their hands felt it
slipping from their grasp.

"They waver! They retreat!" shouted Colonel Winchester. "Up, boys,
and at 'em!"

The whole Union force, led by its heroic generals, rushed forward,
crossed the river and joined in the charge. The two thousand Southern