And still the German horde kept crowding forward as though their reserves were inexhaustible.  It was known that they had been heavily reinforced of late and that they largely outnumbered the American troops opposed to them.  Over the dead bodies of their comrades which strewed the bridge they were creeping nearer, urged by the irresistible pressure from behind.  Considering the disparity of forces, it was sound tactics to destroy the bridge before the foremost ranks could get a footing on the side where their overwhelming numbers would begin to tell.