Shared Blood
"Tom, go plug that hole over there!" Colonel Chamberlain called to his brother.
Thomas Chamberlain leapt to the gap in the line and opened fire on the Rebels, felling them like wheat in a field. But as Union soldiers fell around him, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain realized what a mistake he'd made. Fear coursing through his blood, he called for his brother who did not appear to hear him.
Then, a Confederate soldier stepped forward, rifle raised and trained right at Tom.
"Tom!" Chamberlain shouted.
Tom raised his own revolver and fired.
Click.
The chamber was empty.
"TOM!" his brother screamed, knowing he'd never reach him in time.
The rifle shot pierced the air.
The Confederate fell face forward onto the ground as Tom and his brother glanced back to the soldier who had fired. Private Bucklin nodded to them once, as the remaining Rebel soldiers disappeared through the trees.