MY DEMISE

I THREW DOWN MY ARMS TODAY. THE COLORS
WERE MORE IMPORTANT. IT WAS MY DUTY, FOR
I WAS NEAREST THEM. THE MOMENT I PICKED
THEM UP, I KNEW WHAT I HAD DONE. I AM NOW
RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING MY COLORS UNTIL
MY DEATH. NOT A BURDEN A PRIVILEGE.
THE STAFF WAS BITTER COLD ON MY HANDS.
IT WAS HEAVY, UNLIKE WIELDING A 58
SPRINGFIELD I BECAME TIRED QUICKLY. THE
FABRIC SNAPPED AND FLICKED IN THE WIND.
THE FINIAL'S POINT PUNCTURED THE SKY.
A SHOWER OF BULLETS RAINED DOWN ON OUR
UNIT. MANY MEN FELL, MANY MORE FILLED
THE HOLES. THE CANNON FIRE THUNDERED
FROM THE EAST, MOMENTS AFTER THE
EXPLOSION. THE GRAPESHOT'S LOW THUD WAS
HEARD AROUND LEFT AND RIGHT. LEAD: MERE
WEIGHT IN OUR BODIES.
THE CHARGE CONTINUED.