Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-05-21
GEN. PIoKEPs OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
CANP MAR RICHMOND,
Nay 10, 1862

FIGHT.
CANP MAR RICHMOND,
Nay 10, 1862
To the Editor Of the Waig.
10 common with many others, the writer Of this Arti
Gle has read with pleasure the glowing accounts Of the
achievements Of diff rent regiments In the late en-
raqsment near Williamsburg. The halo thus thrown
over this battle scene and the enthusiastic pCturng OF
this act Of calm courage and that exhibition of patriotic
daring, can not fail in producing seli-sacrhcng loyal
" and determined resistance Of the invader essential
10 this hour of trial Now, that our brigade has qa-
ety waited until their comrades have zen heard through
Admiring friends ii is deemed iudecate by the wr
ter Of this article Ia participant in the seon to present
70 the public an unadorned statement of the corps COM
posing the 81 or Pckets Brigade, and its pArtiepl-
too in the late Williamsburg action. The brigade con-
ss.s Of exclusively Virginia regments-being the b.
lsh, 10 b, and IS Iegmsnts, and the Lynchburg ar
tlery, better kLoTu as LAtbsms battery, CON-
rnanded at present by Captain DsAring, accom-.
plsbed officer and genial gentleman. The s:h, Lob,
sth and 2s.h regiments, aud the artillery, par
tcpants in the battle of Manassas, and modesty
the Aurels wrssed upon that field from insOent foe
while, opportunity had given to one (the S:h) more
recent caaple, in the Leesburg tight The commanding
General was aLo a OF Virginia, and the name oil
Pickett vas fire. bly, Ated an officer of the late
o. 5 amy, in spirited defiance of British power and
rog.ucs on the sea shore o. Re Pecfc ""cAr
could not reach him, am ee c ygc
pct a. best the apprecaiDo Ct las-----.- -, sei
sacrifice Vita such a chief Eud subordinate regimen
al commanders, Of approved skill and courage srerss
johnson and Longstreet had right TO expect O tbtm
the prong ., acceptance Aud liquidation OF any drsught
upou patriotism and gAl!snry, the cIigenccs Of war
/ might demand.
o. tie morning Of the Sth inst aud Will, the brigade
were preparing TO continue their march towards Rich
pOnd the order 10 about face given and the br
glde moved back to Williamsburg while random shots
in advance plainly indicated that this movement net
a hold ~ parade military within. HIled for awhile
u tie colIsgeyard were then moved through Ihe
town. while creased firing and more rapid and coutinl-
d yoeys satisfied the most sceptcal that battle
commenced, which would certainly involve tlousands
ld might useessA.e The great issue Of South RI ind
uierce upon the 6sids and IN the thick woods which
skirt the oljea burg, where, in oden days. the weat
ilteIec: and courage OF old Virginia a1cksd as to
loved centre TIE 81 brigade marched 10 he
brow Of the elevation quarter or half mile 10 ad
vance OF the town, from which could &c plainly heard
smoke which, thckened by the falling rain, seemed to
droop Ike the daIk drspery OF the hesrse the hid
dan carnival o. death. Toe regularity and continuance
f the arms evnced beyond doabt that while the at.
t.ck Was vigc-oas and unWsvering, il by
sssAace conscious Of sro0gth OF position Rnd OverpOS.
erins numbers; and deriving from this consciousness
weak confidence Of victory, which Is frequently quite
curreu, counterfeit Tor courage. Such the
Of the battle when Gen Pickett with solderly aper.
hsasOa Of the right time 10. acting ordered bis entire
brigade Of iliaatry the cut,ned WOODS where pAtr
ots coneadei sgAiCs. msroeLaties and right against
OPPRESSION Ia the woods where The : marched, ne
,l brigade, under Bigadier General HI, CALAMITY
lighting, and winning substantial claims upon the admi
ration and gratitude Of their eouatrymsu. TIE s.h
Regiment, being tae right wing, moved FIRST being o.
lowed in comparatively close column, BY tie lsGh leh
and IS h. ia order as named, and, without being bal ed
we're placed in close and immediate collision with
envy whose projections tqlal if not superior TO
regular foriieadons OF earth. Though struggling
against numbers, ana powerful and skiliay chosen
position the brigade proved worthy OF the old mother
Comuoavelth OF the great OF independence, and
segoyernment Of the repuSlion OF the gallant chief
Shczs professional pride was 30 nCNtrcsbly involved
With that Of his brgsds, and especially Of their
regimeutal commanders, ~ho had pruned their enthus
asm anil educated their Natural courage into disciplined
yAlor. A tie fight extended in the woods and
risd according to e1seoeies there difficulties 10 pre-
s5ung perfectly clear conception OF the action Of the
brigade without sp2Cs account Of the part OF each reg
ne1t.
lsT. STE "a. EIG., Ct. col. SORILS sFREIEY, con.
The writer of this is of opinion tta: it acted
,nsrg regiment than INDUCED in any continuous con
e5 with the enemy. l numbers only Little than
no hundred but exhibits the high sodie:ly quail
lies which reputation a, Manassas and Lsesburg,
aid fully maintained its Olden character for patriotism
and courage Is loss was strange say, only II killed
and wounded but in protecting the tanks Of other regi
menls, is commanding chicer Col Beikley, eyinsed
great GOODNESS, courage and Judgment.
20. lsTH "a. RAJ. Lr..coL. cARRISGrOS COMMANDING.
This regiment vas under IRE OF rapid and coutiuu.
Gus nature for about three hours, and within not
than fifty yards svsrage of toe enemy. Leu.-COl Oar.
r.1gt5n R.ed S.lA a calm Falnty worthy OF the brave
men he commanded and controlled the disposition of the
regiment In the best possible Is loss Eas, in
killed aai wounded, sixty cut Of four hundred aud
.Seuty-nire Tns regiment ia worthy Of the southsiie,
aud the writer ventures to ANN viii never be found
wanting where courage Sc r-'.t - "a. 'cl. -'.
or svsnSs wrong. Actin -. e. C.. %.
great coOuess aud courage 10 delivering oId.ss aud ger
erAl superiDJ5nderce Of tie regiment
20. 10TH RIG. COT. srRtSGE
In the beginning Of the acton, poraOn Of this regi.
asnt had opportunity OF doug but Gue except receiv
irO and protecting themselves As best they could
Tueir loss vas considerable dur,pg this time and Col
range seeing that a force Of the enmy had approach
CT very his line aud preparing to charge bis
ius determined tho writer hears, to charge himself
upon the lnes Of his couHtry's fees. Accordingly he
ordered his Ken to fix bsyoEe.s the Gag to Jol!op m
aad calling upon the ren stick to their colcrs sh
e being followed by bis gallant regiment iul upo