104 Charge
Colonel Gould's regiment was under heavy fire. The men were losing their nerve. "Colonel!" cried out one soldier. "We are just cotton pickers! We can't do this! We are all going to get slaughtered!"
Colonel Gould looked at the fort ahead of him and then at the frightened soldier. His regiment was made up of only recently emancipated black slaves. His regiment was criticized and dismissed by white soldier who felt that this black regiment had no ability to fight whatsoever.
Colonel Gould glared at the soldier and looked intently at his regiment. "What are you fighting for?" Colonel Gould shouted. "I am not fighting for myself! I am fighting for the freedom of slaves everywhere in this nation! Men, charge!"
Colonel Gould picked up the Union standard and rallied his men to charge up the hill. Colonel Gould was slain as he ran up the hill. His regiment, however, did not falter. They followed their leader's example and charged up in the face of cannon fire and certain death.
Colonel Gould's regiment was slaughtered and was unable to take the fort on top on the hill. However, their valor was noted by soldier's on both sides of the battlefield. News of Colonel Gould's and his regiment's bravery spread like wildfire in the north and thousands of black volunteers joined the war effort for the Union. President Lincoln noted this fact as one of the keys in the Union's ultimate victory in the Civil War.
A memorial was raised in honor of Colonel Gould and his regiment, which was visited by countless black and white veterans alike. Colonel Gould and his men would never know the extent of their sacrifice, but their last act of bravery inspired generations to come.
As Christians, we have a responsibility to spread the Gospel message where ever and whenever we can. Although we may be rebuffed by people we try to reach, do not be discouraged. Keep charging forward and working faithfully for God. You may end up sowing seeds that will bear fruit that you may not know about!
- Recommended reading: Mark 4:26-29
