Behind it swarm the heavy reserves
of the enemy, ready for the death-struggle. But the column can not
pause. It is "do or die." In their faces are thrust the muzzles of
muskets spouting flame. Whole ranks go down in the fire. The survivors
close up, utter a fierce cheer, and rush straight at the second tier of
works.
Then is seen a spectacle which will long be remembered with a throb of
the heart by many. The thinned ranks of the Virginians are advancing,
unmoved, into the very jaws of death. They go forward--and are
annihilated. At every step death meets them. The furious fire of the
enemy, on both flanks and in their front, hurls them back, mangled and
dying. The brave Garnett is killed while leading on his men. Kemper is
lying on the earth maimed for life. Armistead is mortally wounded at
the moment when he leaps upon the breastworks:--he waves his hat on the
point of his sword, and staggers, and falls. Of fifteen field officers,
fourteen have fallen. Three-fourths of the men are dead, wounded, or
prisoners. The Federal infantry has closed in on the flanks and rear of
the Virginians--whole corps assault the handful--the little band is
enveloped, and cut off from succor--they turn and face the enemy,
bayonet to bayonet, and die.
When the smoke drifts away, all is seen to be over.
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