Billy Yank
Ch.11: The Attack
I got into the lines of my regiment after getting 50 cartridges and a new bayonet. I stood next to Jet and next to Bucklin. My rifle was leaning on me with the rear to the ground and the muzzle leaning against my arm.
I looked to my right and saw Katara and Sokka watching us about to leave. I heard a shout.
"FORWARD!"
We lifted our guns to have the rear of the guns resting on top of our hands and leaning against our shoulders, having the barrel slightly above our heads.
"MARCH!"
The drums sounded as we marched off to the beat, the flags waved as we continued to look on. I snuck one more glance at my friends, who just stood there watching me walk away towards my fate. I turned my head, slightly looked upon the snowy ground and then up at the men in front of me. I marched in time to the beat as my mind began to swirl with possibilities of my fate. It came down to four options.
Killed, Live, Wounded or Captured.
I sighed as I heard a few mumbles in the lines. We continued to march. We marched through the town and then unto the battlefield. Heavy Reb artillery continued to rain down upon the men out in the field. We stopped and awaited General Hancock's command to go forward.
I kept my eyes on the scene before me, I saw the figures of men falling through the dense smoke that mixed with the air. My heart pounded as I knew my fate was too come soon.
"Are you alright Reb Bait?" Jet asked. I gulped and nodded. "Surely you're not afraid of no Reb"
"There's about 15,000 guns at the ridge" I said as I examined. "For all we know, this could be our last minutes"
"Don't worry lad," Bucklin said as he put a hand on my shoulder. The Brigadier General swung around our lines.
"Quiet in the ranks" he ordered and we stayed silent. I silently prayed in my head.
"God," I prayed. "Please let us survive this horrid battle, please be with Katara and Sokka and be with me as I go up that hill. Amen."
The ridge stood upon a fairly steep hill, we would have to march up that hill to flank the Confederate lines. I heard Hancock's voice.
"IRISH BRIGADE FORWARD!"
That was us.
The General drew his sword and lifted it high in the air.
"Irish brigade! Double-quick!"
We soon broke off into a run as we began to head towards the hill, we ran through the forest, across the creek and then began to charge up the hill. We tried our hardest to avoid the shell that blasted our lines and left huge gaps. I looked around me as I heard the whizzing of bullets and the last shouts of the men as they fell. They collapsed onto the ground, their rifle dropped. I squinted through the smoke, through my visor as I continued to run. The General stopped us.
"FIRE FORMATION!" he shouted as he swung his sword around. We stood there. "STEADY!"
I lifted my rifle, holding it at arm's length. I looked at my target, passed the barrel.
"AIM!"
I adjusted my aim slightly and slipped my hand on the cold lever.
"FIRE!"
My finger grasped the trigger and sent the bullet away. The Rebs fired back and the bullets slammed into our lines. We stood our ground and fired again. I felt something hit my arm and I quickly clutched it.
"OW!"
"AANG!" Jet shouted as I looked at my hand, blood. I was hit.
"FALL BACK!" the General shouted. I quickly turned around, my most vulnerable point to be hit. We ran and jumped over our fallen ones. "On the ground!"
We threw ourselves onto the ground, to help avoid cannon and gun fire. I reloaded my weapon as the bullets continuously hit our lines. Jet fired his gun and I followed. The cold ground and the hot smoke combined as we continued to fire.
"I say these Rebs are puttin' up one hell of a fight ain't they Reb Bait?!" Jet shouted over the fire. I didn't even want to answer him, I wanted to focus on my rifle. I finished ramming it when I heard a loud shout ring right in my ears. I saw Jet fall back to the ground as he stopped moving. My eyes widened. I quickly shook him.
"Jet" I said. "Don't be dead"
"Aang," his voice came.
"Thank god" I said.
"RETREAT!"
"No, No no!" I shouted. I quickly crouched down to grab him.
"What are you doing?!" Roku shouted.
"I'm not leaving him!" I shouted in return. Roku grasped me by the shoulders.
"Aang," Jet said in a hoarse voice. "Leave me here,"
I looked at Jet. His eyes told me to go,
"Go" he said as he put a bloody hand on my shoulder. I nodded. I got up. "Bye Reb Bait"
"Come on Aang!" he shouted at me, forcing a push on me. "RUN!"
I felt something whiz right passed me and I made a run for it. I ran with my rifle and put my hand to my hat as I tried to keep it on my head. I ran across the creek and stopped, allowing the rest of the men to run passed me. I turned back to the battlefield. I looked at my rifle and soon turned around to run with the brigade.
To be continued.