Somehow my heart seemed to rise up into my throat and choke me--we had accomplished it! We had held the house! Whether for death or life, we had performed our duty.
I could hear the echoing noises without; above the moans and cries, nearer at hand, and even drowning the deep roar of the guns, sounded the sturdy Northern cheers.

They were driving them, and after the fight, those same lads would come back, tender as women, and care for us.

It was not so bad within, now the smoke was drifting away, and nothing really hurt me except my shoulder.

It was the body lying half across me that held me prone, and I struggled vainly to roll it to one side.

But I had no strength, and the effort was vain.