Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-08-07
TO the Editors of the Enquirer:


CAxP MAR CULPErER G. H.,
July Goth, 1868.
Gentlemen: In your issue OF the 18th
instant there appeared quotations from your
correspondent, "a" purporting to be facts,
which were highly dcrogatory to llcth's divl-
sion, and which are SO grossly untrue that we
cannot allow them to pass uncorrected. In the
first place, your correspondent, "a, speaks OF
Gen. lIeth's division, commanded by General
Pettigrcw, as supporting Gen. Pickctts dlvl-
sion in the fight of the Sd July, and that it
failed to perform its duty. Now, this Is an err
ror which only could have been committed by
one far in the rear in the bombProct depart
ment, as "a" states that he was. Our position
on that bloody day was in the front line, sup
porting no one; we being on the left Of Gen.
Pickett and our line but continuation Of his,
and advanced lis far and as CALAMITY As did
his division, driving back two columns of the
enemy but on reaching the third we were re-
pulsed simultaneously with the whole line
Pcnder's division, which was our supporting
column, then came up, but after the day was
lost. In testimony of the efficiency OF lletii,s
division, our list of casualties will show that
our loss is greater than that of any other dlvl-
sion in lGll'S corps, and perhaps much heater
than that of any other division, Of equal mum
Der, in the whole army Now, as 10 "A's
statement in regard to Heth's division being
composed of raw troops, it may be admitted
that Prttigrcw's brigade is comparatively
fresh, vet they behaved with marked gallantry
while under heavy fire but if Davis Missis-
sippians Brockcnboroughs Eirglnians and
Archer TcnnesSeeans-whO have participated
in every engagement from Williamsburg TO
Gcttysburg-are raw. then the whole army Of
Northern Virginia is in deplorably crude
condition. Whatever may have been the cause
of the failure in carrying the cnemys works
at GETTYSBURG, the fault cannot be laid
upon any single division Of the assaulting
column, especially that of Hcth's, than which
no troops ever fought more CALAMITY than they
did upon this field Of carnage; but the cause
Of the failure lay in not sending up timely
support.
There are troops in this army who have
never received word Of praise from any
source whatever. and who are none the less
deserving than any others. Among these, we
will mention Archer's Brigade Of gallant
Tcnnesseeans, but three regiments OF whom
represent the cold Volunteer State in the
army of Northern Virginia: and whilst they
have nobly sustained the honor of their State
upon every battlefield, from the skirmish upon
Cheat Mountain up to the great battle in
Pennsylvania, at which time they suffered an
immense loss, having also placed many noble
souls beneath the green sod of the valley in
defence Of Nirginia's sacred soil, they have
ever been censured rather than applauded.
And now, for the benefit Of some CORES
pondents. We would state that, in observing
the movements of bodies of troops upon the
battlefield there is but little information to
be gained from so long range a. nm cmnenco
in the rear, and for copper-distllcd, unadul-
tcrated facts; one must be in closer proximity.
though, perhaps, less consistent with personal
safety. DEC NlSDlcE.