For twelve days, Grant made many attacks upon Lee’s lines. Early on the morning of the 12th his men made an opening in Lee’s lines and poured in by thousands. Lee’s men ran up quickly and soon a most terrible fight took place. The trenches ran with blood and the space was piled with dead bodies, whose lips were black with powder from biting cartridges.
LEE IN FRONT OF HIS TROOPS.
Though Grant held that position, he could not break through the second line. The little army in gray stood as firm as the mountains.
In the fight of which I have just told you, General Lee again rode in front, with hat off, to lead the charge; but General Gordon dashed up and said:
“These are Virginians and Georgians who have never failed. Go to the rear, General Lee.”
Then he said to the men:
“Must General Lee lead this charge?”
“No! No!” they cried; “we will drive them back if General Lee will go to the rear.”
They rushed off and once more hurled back the Federal troops.