"Come with me," he said to Penhallow and Haskell of the Staff, who had
just joined them.
They went down in front of the guns to where behind the low wall lay the
two thin lines of the Pennsylvania regiments. He spoke to the Colonel of
the 71st, who with other officers was afoot encouraging the men.
"Keep cool, boys," said Gibbon.
The men laughed. "Oh, we're all right, General, but we ain't cool."
Gibbon laughed. "Let us go over the wall and try to see a little better,"
said Penhallow.
A hundred yards beyond the lines they sat down. The ceaseless rain of
shot and shell from both sides went over them, the canopy of smoke being
so high above that the interspace between the lines was now more or less
visible. Far beyond them our skirmish outposts were still motionless on
guard; and yet further farms and houses, some smoking in ruin, lay among
the green fields along the Emmitsburg Pike.
"It is pretty safe here," said the Corps Commander, while far above them
the shells sang their war notes.
Penhallow looked back. "They've got the range--there goes one of the
guns--oh! and another."
"Let's go back," said Gibbon, rising, "we are too safe here."
They laughed at his reason and followed him, Haskell remarking on the
lessening of the fire. As they moved about the forty-foot spaces between
the disabled batteries, the last cannon-ball rolled by them and bounded
down the slope harmless.
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