The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-08-14

LERY.
Early next morning-Friday, the 3D.
preparations were made for general at
tack along the enemy's whole line, while
q large force was to be concentrated
against his centre, with view of retaking
the heights captured and abandoned the
day before by Wright Lieut.. Gen. Long
street massed alarge number of long range
guns City -6vein number)upon the crest of
slight eminence just in front of Perry's
and Wilcox's brigades, and little to the
left Of the heights, upon which they were
to open. Lieutenant General Hill massed
some sixty guns along the hill in front of
Posey's and Mahoneis brigades, and al
most Immediately in front of the heights.
At twelve O'Clock the signal gun was fred,
and the cannonading commenced. The
fire of our guns was concentrated upon
the enemy's line on the heights stormed
on the day before by Wright's brigade.
Our fire drew most terrific one from the
enemy's batteries, posted along the heights
from point near Cemetery Hill to the point
in their line opposite to the position of
Wilcox. had never before heard such
tremendous artillery firing. The enemy
must have had over one hundred guns,
which, in addition to our one hundred
and fifteen, made the air hideous with
most discordant noise. The very earth
shook beneath our feet, and the hills and
rocks seemed to reel like drunken man.
For one hour and a half this most terrific
fire was continued, during which time the
shrieking of shells, the crash of falling
timber, the fragments Of rock flying
through the air, shattered from the cliffs
by solid shot, the heavy mutterings from
the valley between the opposing armies,
the splash of bursting shrapnel, and the
fierce neighing of wounded artillery hor-
ses, made picture terribly grand and
sublime, but which my pen utterly fails to
describe. After the firing had continued
for little more than an hour, the enemy's
guns began to SHAKEN, and finally all were
silenced save some six or eight, which
were in clump Of woods little to the
left of the stone fence.
THE REBEL sTORMING PARTY
Now the stOrming party was moved up,
Pickett's division in advance, supported on
the right by Wilcox's brigade, and on the
left by Heth's division, commanded by
Pettigrew. The left of Pickett's division
occupied the same ground over which
Wright had passed the day before. Istood
upon an eminence and watched this ad-
vance with great interest; | had seen
brave men pass over that fated valley the
day before; | had witnessed their death
struggle with the foe on the opposite
heights had observed their return with
shattered ranks, bleeding mass, but with
unstained banners. Now I saw their val
liant comrades prepare for the same bloc ly
trial, and already felt that their efforts
would be vain unless their supports
should be as true as steel and brave as
lions. Now they move forward, with
steady, measured tread they advance upon
the foe. Their banners float defantly in
in the breeze, as onward in beautiful order
they press across the plain. have never
seen since the war began (and l have been
in all the great fights of this army
troops enter fight in such splendid order
as did the SPLENDID division of Pickett's
Now Pettigrew's command emerged from
the woods upon Pickett's left, and swept
down the slope Of the hill to the valley be-
meath, and two or three hundred yards in
rear of Pickett. l saw by the wavering
Ofhis line as they entered the conflict that
theywanted the tirmness of nerve and stead
mess oftread which so characterized Pick
ett's men, and | felt that these men would
not, could not stand the tremendous Or
deal to which they would be soon subject
ed. These were mostly raw troops, which
had been recently brought from the South,
and who had perhaps, never been under
tire-who certainly had never been in any
very severe tight-and trembled for their
conduct. Just as Pickett was getting we'll
under the enemy's fire Our batteries ceas-
ed firing. This was fearful moment for
Pickett and his brave command. Why
do not our guns reopen their fire? is the
inquiry that rises upon every lip Still
our batteries are silent as death
But ON press Pickett's brave Vir-
ginians and now the enemy open upon
them, from more than fifty guns, terri
bic fire Of grape, shell and canister. On,
on they move in unbroken line, delivering
a deadly fire as they advance. Now they
have reached the Emmettsburg road, and
here they meet severe fire from the heavy
masses Of the enemy infantry, posted be-
hind the stone fence, while their artillery,
now free from the annoyance of our artil-
lery, turn their fire upon this devoted
band, Still they remain firm. Now
again they advance; they storm the
stone fence; the Yankees fly. The ene-
my's batteries are, one by one, silenced in
quick succession as Pickett's men deliver
their fire at the gunners and drive them
from their places. see Kemper and Ar
instead plant their banner in the enemys
works. hear their glad shout of victory!
Let US now look after Pettigrew's di-
vision. Where are they? While the vic
tOrious shout Of the gallant Virginians is
still ringing in my ears, turn nv eyes to
the left, and there, all over the plain, in
utmost confusion, is scattered this strong
division. Their line is broken; thew are
flying, apparently panc-stricken, to the
rear. The gallant Petttgrew is wounded.
but he still retains command, and is vainly
striving to rally his men,. Still the moving
mass rush pell nell to the rear, and Pick
EFT is left alone to contend with the hordes
OF the enemy now pouring in upon him on
every side Garrett falls, killed by
MIME ball, and Kemper, the brave and
chlvalrous, reels under mortal wound,
and is taken to the rear. Now the enemy
move around strong flanking bodies of in