Stormed at with shot and shell,
Marched the six hundred."
CHAPTER XI.
We had scarcely emerged from the woods and began to advance down the hill, when Gen. Cooke, in command of the brigade, was shot and fell from his horse severely wounded. Col. Gilmer, in command of our regiment, was shot down about the same moment. The command of the brigade now devolved upon Col. Hall, of the 46th N.C. regiment, and the command of our regiment fell upon Lieut.-Col. Whitfield. We were now suffering from the terrific fire of the enemy's artillery posted in the thickets on the elevation beyond the railroad, and from the murderous fire of their infantry in safe position behind the embankment. Col. Whitfield seeing that our entire force would soon be annihilated by the concentrated fire of the enemy, reported to Col. Hall that the brigade must either retreat or make a charge. Col. Hall thought a charge was the best to be done, and Col. Whitfield gave the order to advance. In a moment we were double-quicking down the hill, our men falling at every step. When we came to within a few yards of the railroad, the enemy rose up from behind the embankment and poured a volley into our ranks which almost swept the remnant of us out of existence. At this juncture some of our company sought shelter in a little shanty on our left, where they were afterwards captured by the enemy. Col. Whitfield was now shot down, and Major Webb assumed the command. In our perilous condition but two courses were open, either to surrender or to take our chance in a retreat up the hill, the descent of which had been so disastrous. Major Webb chose the latter and gave the order to fall back.
During our advance our colors were cut down three times. The third time they were caught up by corporal William C. Story, of the Grays, on the color-guard, and carried by him during the rest of the fight. For his gallantry upon this occasion he was complimented in special orders, and was afterwards appointed ensign of the regiment, with the rank of lieutenant. The cause of the war may be forgotten, but the achievements of each soldier are the common property and common glory of the country, and are imperishable. The calm and cool courage displayed by this young lad of Guilford, who bore so well the brunt of this hard-fought field is worthy of the heroes who fell at Culloden. He bore the flag of his country's trust until the surrender. He returned to his home broken down in health, and in a few months surrendered to his last enemy—Death! In the quiet church yard at Tabernacle, in the southeastern part of Guilford, Story sleeps near those who loved him. In this consecrated spot may memory come to embalm his name, and love bedew with her fondest tears the turf which wraps his clay.
We continued to fall back, under a continuous deadly fire, until we had passed the brow of the hill, and were under shelter.
"They that had fought so well
Came back from the mouth of Hell—
All that was left of them."
During the night the enemy continued their retreat toward Centreville. We, with litters and canteens of water, repaired to the battle-field to care for our wounded, where "Death wagged his slim jaws gleefully over his feast," and gorged himself with many more victims ere the dawn of the 15th.