So, just repair the bridge.

If you can lift the entire bridge deck, you will find that to put it simply, the bridge is actually made up of various triangles, large and small, which are firmly riveted to each other, and each triangle is composed of three prefabricated wooden or cast iron parts, so to put it simply, to repair the bridge is to remove the broken, twisted "parts" and replace them with haode "parts".

These parts all had certain specifications, and Sherman's sapper unit brought enough "spare parts".

This doesn't seem to be too complicated, but Guan Zhuofan understands that he doesn't know what a huge industrial system and industrial chain are behind it.

At that time, although cement had been invented, it had not yet been officially used in bridge and road construction, let alone "reinforced concrete", and the structural composition of bridges was not so complex, so it was easier to repair than later bridges with more powerful functions.

In a few hours, the carriage bridge was repaired first, and soon the railroad bridge was closed, and then the sleepers and rails were laid - yes, this Sherman also carried it in his pocket.

A train passed the bridge in a cloud of mist, and the whistle sounded for a long time, Guan Zhuofan's heart was full of joy, and he said with a smile: "William, do you hear the train shouting something?" It's shouting: 'Hello, General Sherman! ’”

Sherman let out a loud daxiao, all the wrinkles on his face huddled together, and his brain door sparkled.

The army of 125,000 men passed over these two narrow bridges, but it took a long time - almost a whole day of endless walking.

Dalton was followed by Salka.

Salerka's terrain is much flatter than Dalton's, but that's exactly what it is. The fortifications of the Southern army were built more strongly.

And. Haven't arrived in Saleka yet. Johnston ordered to repair the fortifications on the left and right sides of the defensive line, doing this kind of work with low jishu content, and the hands and feet of the southern army were not slow, and when the northern army repaired the bridge and crossed the bridge, the fortifications had already been repaired for more than half of the time, and by the time the northern army reached Salka, the new fortifications had been completed.

In this way, the line of defense is stretched a little. But Saleka was not large, and in terms of defense, the forces of the Yugoslav army were still more than enough.

Johnston thought viciously: Do you want to do it again? Dream on!

Both Guan Zhuofan and Sherman found out about this situation, and both admitted: Like Dalton, it was impossible to fight the Southern Army by surprise.

What to do? Can you only storm it?

Sherman's idea was not to attack the middle of the Southern Army, the left army would attack the right flank of the Southern Army, and the right army would attack the left flank of the Southern Army, so that the left and right could not care about each other. At the same time, a feint in the middle. so that they do not dare to divide their troops to rescue the left and right flanks, no matter the left and right, as long as there is a breakthrough all the way, the overall situation will be decided.

Not bad, that makes sense.

However, Guan Zhuofan still said to Sherman: "William, let's wait a little longer. Didn't you lend me two companies of engineers? Let's wait for the news first. ”

Sherman was stunned for a moment, remembering this, well, then wait.

The Southern Army was in full array, but the Northern Army did not initiate any action, and the whole day passed peacefully.

The next morning, Johnston had just gotten up, and before he had time to wash, a report came: the enemy cavalry had been found in the rear of our army.

Johnston frowned, probably the reconnaissance unit of the Northern Army?

In any case, you can't let them wander around behind your back and make the back of your neck cold. He gave the order: Inform Byford? General Forrestal's cavalry troops, intent on searching.

After washing up, I started to eat breakfast, and before I was halfway through a glass of milk, the report came again: General, our railway line was, cut off!

Johnst choked on a mouthful of milk in his throat and coughed loudly, almost speechless: Who, who,?!

It's the cavalry of the Northern Army.

They are not scouts...... How many of them are there?

It was reported, like, that there were, four or five thousand people.

Johnston's cold sweat was running down again.

The logistical supply of the Southern Army was also transported from Atlanta to the front line by rail, but neither the quantity of supplies nor the engineering support capacity could be compared with that of the Northern Army. Moreover, an enemy cavalry of four or five thousand men was infested along the railway, which might never be repaired.

Worse still, if the war is unfavorable and the retreat to the south continues, this northern army will be able to harass the southern army on its way back; If the defeat of the Southern Army was too hasty, this kind of harassment might become an unbearable burden for the defeated army, or even be forced to collapse completely.

If this northern army is not crushed, now ...... You have to retreat.

Johnston's depression: I haven't fought a serious battle with the Northerners!

The old general was rarely out of shape, and he shouted, "Where is Forrestal?" Tell him that no matter what, this cavalry of the Northern Army must be captured! ”

In fact, Byford? Forrest had already captured the cavalry of the Northern Army.

Daniel Zhang personally took the cavalry division of the Xuan Army, plus two engineer companies borrowed from Sherman, and made a big detour back to the rear of the Salka Line of the Southern Army, and began to destroy the railway line of the Southern Army on a large scale from afar.

Yes, two engineering companies did not come to build the railway, but to dig it. It is said that digging railways is also a very professional job, and to complete as much work as possible in a short period of time, it is necessary to have the participation and guidance of professionals.

After doing the work that should be done, Daniel Zhang received the report: The cavalry of the Southern Army stuck up.

Daniel Zhang drank the order: Dismount, line up!

Five thousand cavalry, four thousand dismounted in formation, and one thousand swept in the rear, taking care of the horses.

The formation of the Xuan cavalry division was as follows:

A cavalry company is a unit, and each unit is arranged in four horizontal columns, with the first two in a group and the last two in a group. , about 50 meters between the two groups.

If an enemy horse rushes through the first group's queue, the second group shoots them.

Leave a narrow gap of half a body between the two soldiers in the same row.

The position of the two columns of soldiers in the front and back of the same group, and the position of the soldiers in the back column, is aligned with the distance between the soldiers in the front column.

It was a wide area, and according to the enemy's attack position, companies lined up one after another, stretching for almost a kilometer to the left and right.

The sound of hooves was faint, and soon it was like thunder rolling underground, and from far and near, the cavalry of the Southern Army appeared.

It seems that the sea is rising, and at first glance it is not a line, but in an instant, the angry waves are raging, the earth trembles, and the cavalry of the Southern Army is lined up in an extremely wide formation, and the sabers brandished above their heads form a giant dragon with flashing scales, rolling its body in mid-air, roaring.

Daniel Zhang shouted: "Kneel down in the front row!" ”

The front-row soldiers of the first group hula, on one knee.

Daniel Zhang: "Raise the gun!" ”

The first group of two rows of soldiers rattled loudly, holding their guns, shoulder-to-shoulder, fingers on the trigger. The front row shoots in a kneeling position, and the back row shoots in a standing position.

Daniel Zhang: "Aim!" ”

All the muzzles were raised.

"Put! Free Fire! ”

Gunshots rained out, nearly a kilometer wide, one at intervals of less than half a meter, and two layers above and below, with a total of 2,000 bullets swept out.

The cavalry line of the Southern Army seemed to have hit an invisible high wall, and the people turned on their backs.

He who was still on his horse continued to shout and drive, but then the second and third walls followed......

People neighed, all the way to the mess.

After firing a cartridge, the two columns of soldiers in front and behind immediately crossed and switched positions -- shooting in a kneeling position is a very arduous action, and after a long time, it will affect the accuracy of shooting.

Occasionally, soldiers were shot, but the second group immediately came up to fill in the position, which had no effect on the density of the barrage.

Before the second cartridge was finished, the Southern army finally couldn't bear it anymore, the retreating army horn sounded, and the remaining riders turned their horses' heads one after another, and the rising tide was as fast as the ebbing tide.

Daniel Zhang snorted heavily: It's really not fun to fight.

Under the ultra-dense fire of the Xuan army's Spencer guns, it was difficult for the Southern cavalry to effectively return fire during the attack - even if they fired, they could only fire one shot, and the front-loading carbine could not be loaded on a running horse. The casualties of the Xuan army were extremely low, and the second group of shooters was basically of little use.

Receiving Daniel Zhang's battle report, Guan Zhuofan ordered the whole army to prepare for pursuit.

Ready for a pursuit? Not preparing for the offensive?

The generals below thought that they had heard the wrong order, and it seemed that the enemy had withdrawn before we could fight?

That's right, it's the pursuit, go prepare.

Sherman will also be skeptical.

The news soon came that the Southern army was pulling out of camp.

*(To be continued......)