Forbes could hardly keep to his feet. Even with the sun in his eyes and the cannons of Fort Wagner setting a permanent ring in his ears, the sand sucked in his boots and all he wanted to do was curl up on the beach and sleep. Then again, he supposed every single one of them would want to do the same as well. He glanced at Robert, and though his face was pinched with exhaustion, the colonel's eyes were as bright as ever. It took Forbes a full moment to realize that General Strong was turned towards them, his deep voice pointing out that the 54th hadn't slept for two days. And maybe it was from the lack of sleep, but Forbes rather thought it sounded more like a gentle reminder than an expression of surprised disbelief.
But Colonel Robert Shaw was not the least bit hesitant. Forbes could see that and took comfort of feeling his heart soar, especially when all he could do was stand mutely and try to stay awake.
"You shoud've seen us in action two days ago," Robert was saying, his voice shaking slightly, every word fierce with pride, "We were a sight to see."
*
The night before the battle, Forbes went into Robert's tent, bringing with him his small tin of whiskey. Robert looked up from his papers, a few dispatches and half a letter in the process of being finished. He gave Forbes a small smile and went back to writing. Forbes seated himself on a crate, willing himself to be patient for Robert to finish. He tapped his fingers quietly, wondering if he should write to his own mother, but he had sent plenty of letters to her with death on his mind many times before—so this… this shouldn't be any different.
But Forbes knew. He knew it the moment the 54th started singing outside, every single man clapping and humming a melancholy tune that he did not recognize. A part of him wanted to join in, which was absolutely ridiculous, given that he didn't know the melody and, even if he did, was very likely to shatter glass with his voice.
Robert had stopped writing and was pouring himself a glass of brandy, a little misty-eyed as the harmonized voices drifted around them. Perhaps this was the last song they'll ever hear, and the last song the 54th will ever sing. The realization had come quicker for Robert, Forbes thought wryly and reached for his own tin of brandy. They exchanged the smallest of glances, not a smile or word between them.
Forbes had never seen camaraderie such as the 54th's, and knew he never would feel as close to any group like theirs—but he had Robert, which was more than enough to set him at ease.
*
It never occurred to him that it was possible for Robert to die before him. Watching him fall into the sand with a spray of blood and bullet holes littering his chest was a nightmare, one that he should have expected.
Forbes screamed anyway-- No! Not this man, not his commander, not his friend. Not Robert.
But the 54th saw and they screamed with him. They rose with him, charged with him, and with every ragged breath, fought with him.
And as they met with the fort's cannons, Forbes could feel—if for an abrupt, numbing moment—the camaraderie of the 54th and their voices were still singing, forever singing, all around him.
Oh my Lord.... Lord, Lord, Lord...
