"We're going to attack!" Ponies answered. "They're forming up out there on the woodline. They can't see us here, this rain is so bad. We're gonna run out, pour it into them, and run back. It may break their next assault. I'd sure like to have some peace and quiet until two o'clock!"
"Yes sir!" the other Warlocks answered.
The men got ready and went over the earthworks. They kept a good line until they reached the woods. The Union was all among the trees, trying to get what shelter they could. They emptied two clips into them, fired the rocket propelled grenades at any large groups, then ran like hell. The enemy mortars didn't even start until they were going back up over the earthworks.
When things quieted down Ponies cried "Casualties!"
"Only two sir," Turtle answered. "That was incredible! That HAD to shake 'em up!"
"It also had to cost them," Ponies answered. "Now they won't dare relax. They'll probably put sentries out into the field to make sure we don't do that again."
He was right! Two o'clock came, seven hours. But then the enemy came at them. It was obvious this time he was throwing everything he had at them. Again they penetrated their lines, and this time they stayed. But somehow when it was over, some of them were still standing, but none of his Warlocks. Twenty Ponies was alone! There wasn't a Warlock or a Damon left, they were all dead! He called down Rabbits' men. He had to have them on the line now. There were sixty of them left. In that one fight he'd lost sixty! But 3 o'clock came and he had won eight hours.
3:30 passed. "Maybe they've given up!" one of his men cried.
"No," Ponies answered, "while they're still breathing they won't give up. While they've still got ammunition they'll come again." 3:30 passed. It was almost four o'clock when they came again. Their mortars came out close and hit them hard. Twenty Ponies had only one short range and one long range left, and only a few rounds for each one, but his crews were good. They took out the Union's mortars and a lot of his men. But then they were on them again. Twenty Ponies had no idea how many he'd killed. But finally it fell silent again, except for the moaning of the dying. When it was over he counted those that were still standing, with himself, twenty-seven.
"We'll never survive another one," he moaned. "There's too few of us to man all three earthworks. Gather up what ammunition you can from the enemy, we'll mass in the center one and do what we can. My praise to everyone! We've won nine hours. We should'nt have been able to do that. They should've taken us out in the second or third assault. What was done here today will be long remembered. The Lords bless you all! I am proud to be here with you!"
The men nodded and gathered what they could. 4:30 came then just about five o'clock one of the men shouted "White flags! White flags appearing all along the woodline."
Twenty Ponies stood up. To his amazement the Union troops marched out in ranks. A small open vehicle appeared and an officer climbed out.
"What to hell's going on sir?"
Through his glasses Twenty Ponies could see a young sergeant. He was holding the stars and stripes. He came forward before the white flags and began to wave it back and forth. The Union soldiers came to attention, and the officer saluted.
"Good Lords!" Twenty Ponies remarked, "They're saluting us! They're paying us compliments. Quick! Hand me the flag!"
One of his men quickly brought the Republic flag. After saluting Twenty Ponies took it and began to wave it back and forth. The Union officer got back in his vehicle. It turned around and disappeared down the little road. The Union troops quickly followed it and the flag bearers followed after them.
"My Lords!" Twenty Ponies moaned. "They're withdrawing! They're giving up!"
"Sir!" one of his men remarked, "One of them isn't. One of them's still standing there holding the white flag. Should someone go out and see what he wants?"
"I'll go!" Ponies remarked.
He quickly made his way around the earthworks across the field, and to the Union soldier. When he got close he realized it was a medic and a woman. Her uniform was so dirty he couldn't see the red crosses on it.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"Sir!" the medic snapped, "My commander send his compliments. I've been left behind to tend our wounded. He asks that I be treated well. Sir, I'm desperate! I've got 417 men back there. Right now they're helping each other. I've got nothing left. If your medics are still alive and they can be spared, I beg to God that you send them to help me. I'll do anything you want, and I'll never report it."
Twenty Ponies smiled. "Medics!" he screamed. "If you can be spared come forward. If there's anybody else that's got any medical training get up here! This young woman needs your assistance!"
The medics and six others came up. Ponies looked to one of his men. "Arrows!" he snapped, "You're in charge! See if you can raise somebody on the radio. Tell them whatever help they can get up here we need it! We've got 417 enemy wounded, and a few of our own. As soon as people get here see to the care of our dead. I'll be helping the medic. I do have some medical training."

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