Harry, on horseback, witnessed this conflict, all the more terrible
because of the theater in which it was fought. The batteries and the
riflemen alike were frequently hidden by the thickets. The great banks
of smoke hung low, only to be split apart incessantly by the flashes of
fire from the big guns. But the bullets were more dangerous than the
cannon balls and shells. They whistled and shrieked in thousands and
countless thousands.
Lee sat on his horse impassive, watching as well as he could the tide of
battle. Messengers covered with smoke and sweat had informed him of the
gap between Hill and Longstreet, and he was dispatching fresh troops to
close it up. Harry saw the Invincibles march by. The two colonels at
their head beheld Lee on his white horse, and their swords flew from
their scabbards as they made a salute in perfect unison. Close behind
them rode St. Clair and Happy Tom, and they too saluted in like manner.
Lee took off his hat in reply and Harry choked. "About to die, we salute
thee," he murmured under his breath.
Then with a shout the Invincibles, their officers at their head, plunged
into the fire and smoke, and were lost from Harry's view. But he could
not stay there long and wonder at their fate.
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