A CONFEDERATE MOMENT OF TRUTH

[The following happened at the battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse.  It occurred after the Union army had broken the Confederate lines and were threatening to split the Confederate army in half.  This version is told by General John Gordon]

I was at the Center of the line when General Lee rode to it.  With uncovered head, he turned his face toward Hancock's steadily advancing column.  Instantly I moved across Old Traveller's front, and grasping the bridle in my hand, I checked him.  Then, in a voice which I hoped might reach the ears of men, I called out, "General Lee, you shall not lead my men in a charge.  No man can do that sir.  Another is here for that purpose.  These men behind you are Georgians, Virginians, and Carolinians.  They have never failed you on any field.  They will not fail you here.  Will you, boys?"  They then responded like a mighty anthem that must have stirred his emotions as no other music could have done.  "No, no, no, we'll not fail him," yet they were doubtless to him more eloquent because of their simplicity and momentous meaning.  I then shouted to General Lee, "You must go to the rear."  The echo, "General Lee to the rear, General Lee to the rear!" rolled back with a great emphasis.  The soldiers gathered around him, turned his horse in the opposite direction, some grabbed his bridle, some grabbed his stirrups, while others leaned on Traveller's hips ready to push him to the rear.  With General Lee moving to the rear the men of my division moved forward and struck the Union soldiers with the force of a hurricane.  With Gordon's staff, division, brigade and regimental officers leading the way on horseback they plowed into Hancock's advancing lines.  However, the line officers and men on foot didn't need to be spurred.  The dead and dying of both armies were left in the wake of this Confederate charge.  Hancock was repulsed and driven from the Confederate lines.  The men of Gordon's division retook every inch of ground that had been lost.  They redeemed in blood the pledge made to General Lee.  The Confederate army was saved to fight another day.