Regrets

Disclaimer: I don't own Gettysburg. I'm just borrowing it.

General Armistead crouched behind the low wooden fence with the men, watching them shoot futilely at the Yankees behind the wall. Suddenly he stood up waving his hat.

"Virginians, Virginians! Who is with me?" he called standing before the men. A loud yell was heard from the Rebels and they surged forward over the fence and the open ground toward the Union center. Armistead had his mind on getting his boys through the charge but he was also thinking of his old friend Hancock who was in command of the Union center. He didn't see when a musket was aimed at him and he fell to the ground just short of the Union lines. 'I hope Win survives this madness'.

"Sir, can you hear me? A soldier asked him.

"I need to talk to General Hancock." Armistead said weakly.

"The general has been shot." came the reply.

"No! No, God, not all of us." Armistead cried in despair. Turning to the Union soldier that was with him he said feebly, "tell General Hancock that General Armistead sends his regrets."

"I will do that, sir. The surgeon is on his way." The soldier replied as Armistead faded into unconsciousness.

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Later that evening the figures of the dead and wounded were coming into Union headquarters. An aide walked up to General Meade, who was talking to General Hancock, and saluted.

"Sir, we have captured several high-ranking Rebel commanders including a wounded general."

"Which general was captured and what is the status of his wounds?" Meade asked.

"General Armistead was fatally wounded during the charge at our center and was found by some of our troops. He is currently in the hospital." The aide replied.

At the mention of General Armistead, Hancock had left the tent and headed toward the hospital at a quick pace. When he got there he quickly located his old friend and sat down by his bedside.

"Lo, how are you? Is there anything you need?" Hancock asked looking at his friend.

Armistead looked up in disbelief. "Win, is that really you? I'm so sorry; I never meant to raise a hand against you. You're like a brother to me."

"Shh, I understand. We each did what we thought was best. We each fought for our homes. I don't blame you." Hancock said. By now both men were in tears. They both talked for a long time and shared their regrets and hopes. Hancock stayed with Armistead until he died two days later.