Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 4.djvu/258

240 column was little more than 400 yards wide. The clash of arms and the murderous fire around this bloody angle are indescribable."

The Federals found that it was easier to get within the Confederate lines than it was to stay there. As soon as they were fairly inside, they began to extend their lines on both flanks, and at the same time to move forward. By a singular coincidence it fell to the lot of North Carolina troops to attack them on three sides. The first fresh troops that they encountered in front were R. D. Johnston’s North Carolinians of Gordon’s division. The impact was too strong for Johnston. That gallant officer was wounded, and his men, though struggling heroically, driven back. Gordon, however, threw forward his other brigades, and by hard fighting drove the Federals back toward the place of their entrance.

On Gordon’s right, the extension of the Federal left encountered Lane s North Carolina brigade. "They were checked by General Lane,&quot; says Colonel Venable, &quot;who, throwing his left flank back from the trenches, confronted their advance.&quot; General Lane, in his report, tells how this was done: &quot;In the best of spirits, the brigade welcomed the furious assault which soon followed, with prolonged cheers and death-dealing volleys. . . . It is impossible for me to speak in too high terms of my command in repulsing this terrible attack of the enemy men could not fight better, nor officers behave more gallantly; the latter, regardless of danger, would frequently pass along the line and cheer the men in their glorious work. We justly claim for this brigade alone the honor of not only stemming, but of rolling back this tide of Federal victory which came surging furiously to our right. &quot;

On the other side of the angle, similar bravery was shown. General Ewell’s report clearly shows the service of the North Carolinians there. He says: &quot;Their main effort was evidently against Rodes position to the left of —