Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/198

 186 Southern Historical Society Papers.

A SOLEMN MOMENT.

From this point, I shall confine my description to events con- nected with Armistead' s brigade, with which I served. Soon after the cannonade ceased, a courier dashed up to General Armistead, who was pacing up and down in front of the 53d Virginia Regiment, his batallion of direction (which I commanded in the charge and at the head of which Armistead marched), and gave him the order from General Pickett to prepare for the advance. At once the com- mand ' 'Attention, battalion ! " rang out clear and distinct. Instantly every man was on his feet and in his place; the alignment was made with as much coolness and precision as if preparing for dress par- ade. Then Armistead went up to the color sergeant of the 53d Virginia Regiment and said: " Sergeant, are you going to put those colors on the enemy's works to-day?" The gallant fellow replied: " I will try, sir, and if mortal man can do it, it shall be done." It was done, but not until this brave man, and many others like him, had fallen with their faces to the foe; bur never once did that ban- ner trail in the dust, for some brave fellow invariably caught it as it was going down, and again bore it aloft, until Armistead saw its tattered folds unfurled on the very crest of Seminary Ridge.

THE ADVANCE.

After this exchange of confidence between the general and the color-bearer, Armistead commanded: " Right shoulder, shift arms. Forward, march." They stepped out at quick time, in perfect order and alignment tramp, tramp, up to the Emmittsburg road; then the advancing Confederates saw the long line of blue, nearly a mile distant, ready and awaiting their coming. The scene was grand and terrible, and well calculated to demoralize the stoutest heart; but not a step faltered, not an elbow lost the touch of its neighbor, not a face blanched, for these men had determined to do their whole duty, and reckoned not the cost. On they go; at about 1,100 yards the Federal batteries opened fire; the advancing Con- federates encounter and sweep before them the Federal skirmish line. Still forward they go; hissing, screaming shells break in their front, rear, on their flanks, all about them, but the devoted band, with the blue line in their front as their objective point, press for- ward, keeping step to the music of the battle. The distance be- tween the opposing forces grows less and less, until suddenly the