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[87] They afterwards went forward across a valley and up a steep ascent into the woods adjoining the wheat-field where General Crawford's brigade had been badly cut up. Abbott's company, still acting as skirmishers, dashed through the woods, and were immediately engaged in a most animated and dangerous contest. The men would lie down and get behind the wheat-stacks and advance from time to time, firing as a good opportunity tempted them, or as their captain gave the command, but mostly in obedience to commands. Here it was that both captain and men showed to the best advantage. Abbott, though requiring his men to lie down after firing and after each advance, sought no shelter for himself, but was always on his feet, a conspicuous mark for the enemy's fire. Now he ordered his men to rush forward with three cheers for the Second Regiment,—then to fire,—then to lie down; and thus he passed two thirds across the field. At last he ordered the company to fall back slowly and in order. This was done. While this was going on the regiment had formed in the field at the edge of the woods, but remained there only a short time, again seeking the shelter of the woods. The Lowell company fell back to the regiment. The hardest fight seems to have been when the regiment reached the woods, and there it was that Abbott fell, shot directly through the neck. One of his company, a man named Page, seeing him fall, went to him and asked, ‘Captain, are you wounded?’ Abbott, with difficulty, replied, ‘Yes.’ Page then inquired: ‘Can I do anything for you?’ But Abbott was unable to reply, and in a few moments he was dead. Page said he could have lain down and died beside him. At the time of graduation and when he entered the army, Abbott was a model of manly strength and beauty. He was about five feet eleven inches in height, lithe, erect, and straight. There was an elasticity and springiness in his gait, as he walked, that indicated a superabundance of physical energy. As he was not naturally broad-chested, but of rather a slender make, the great development of the muscles of his arm and chest resulting from his protracted training had not had
Sever and Francis, 1866.
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