The infantry
remained unbroken to the last moment; and a charge of Lee's cavalry
upon Sheridan's drove them back, well nigh routed.
But nothing could avail against such numbers. The Confederate infantry,
cavalry, and artillery at last gave way. Overwhelmed by the great
force, they were shattered and driven. Night descended upon a
battlefield covered with heaps of dead and wounded, the blue mingled
with the gray.
Among those wounded, mortally to all appearances, was Willie Davenant.
He had fought with the courage of the bull-dog which lay _perdu_ under
the shy bearing of the boy. All the army had come to recognize it, by
this time; and such was the high estimate which General R.E. Lee placed
upon him, that it is said he was about to be offered the command of a
brigade of infantry. Before this promotion reached him, however, the
great crash came; and the brave youth was to fall upon the field of
Five Forks, where he fought his guns obstinately to the very last.
It was just at nightfall that he fell, with a bullet through his
breast.
The enemy were pressing on hotly, and there was no time to bring off
the wounded officer. It seemed useless, too. He lay at full length, in
a pool of blood, and was breathing heavily. To attempt to move him,
even if it were possible, threatened him with instant death.
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