Some lay upon their backs where they had turned, thrusting up a knee in the last struggle.
Some lay face downward as the slaughtered fall.

Many had died with hands open, suddenly.

Others sat huddled, the closed hand with its thumb turned under and covered by the fingers, betokening a gradual passing of the vital spark, and a slow submission to the conqueror.

It was all a hideous and cruel dream.

Surely it could be nothing more.
It could not be reality.