Longstreet sits watching the battle unable to think, his mind "like a room in which there has been a butchering." He tries to pray, but can't. He sits silent and immobile as men stream by him in retreat. Pickett's aide screams for help that isn't there. Garnett's horse returns, the saddle empty. Longstreet orders Pickett to retreat.
Longstreet feels horror from the loss, weariness, and monstrous disgust. It is done, he sent them, and now he would get a gun and take a walk forward. But then he sees Lee, who is riding hatless among returning men, gently consoling them, accepting blame, urging them to show good order and not let the enemy see them run.
Longstreet has had enough. He gets a horse and his aide, Sorrel, tries to stop him, but Longstreet is savage and growls at Sorrel to let go. Heading off to where the Union is forming for attack, Longstreet sees that Goree is following him and asking for orders. Longstreet's staff is there now, grabbing the horse's bridle. The battle is ending, and blue troops are pulling back.
