[
186]
A solemn moment.
From this point, I shall confine my description to events connected 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 command ‘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 parade.
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 banner 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.
