‘Lee to the rear.’
Just then from the right
General J. B. Gordon came dashing down the line.
At the sight of
Lee he reined up his handsome bay so sharply as to throw him on his haunches.
It was a picture never to be forgotten.
‘
General Lee, this is no place for you. Go back, General; we will drive them back.
These men are
Virginians and they have never failed me; they will not fail me; will you boys?’
Then rose the oft-quoted shout: ‘
General Lee to the rear!
Lee to the rear!’
‘Go back, General, we can't charge until you go back.’
‘We will drive them back, General.’
Some one got hold of his bridle and back through the line of the 49th Regiment
Lee was led. The whole scene was not fifty paces from where I stood, and stands out like a glorious picture to-day.
“Forward!”
cried
Gordon, and the line stepped off with the steady tread of a dress-parade.
There was no shout, no rebel yell, but, as I looked down the line, I saw the stern faces and set teeth of men who have undertaken to do a desperate deed, and do not intend to fail.
