When thousands of Russian troops emerged from the horizon like dark clouds, Previdish didn't expect a huge sense of fear to swell within him.
But his noble honor made him forcibly straighten his back, muttering to himself, "Damn it, is your courage no better than that of peasants and merchants?"
He had heard that the Sixth Army had suffered over 5,000 casualties in less than half a month, yet they still held their ground here.
A sharp whistle accompanied the impact of a cannonball landing more than thirty meters ahead of him, bouncing and rolling over.
Nearby, the lieutenant's command echoed: "Prepare—"
Previdish closed his eyes tight and raised his Auguste 1798 rifled gun.
At the French artillery position one kilometer behind him, Geiszler used his right hand to lift a basket containing 5 shells, feeling intense pain in his suspended left hand.
