Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-04-29


which he invariably inspired his troops,
as evinced in the fearful charges made
at Gettysburg, where his division lost
every general officer, most of its field
officers, and was literally torn to pieces
by the CALLING fire Of musketry and
schrapnel hurled at them by the Union
forces. Gen. Pickett served with Gen.
Lee in every engagement fought BY the
army of Virginia except two. After
few casual remarks, entirely irrelevant
to the subject, the following interesting
conversation took place: va
Sun Reporter have been
told that you leave the country to-mor-
row in the City of Washington for Liver
pool en- route for Egypt, where, it is said,
you propose entering the military service
Of the Khedive.
General Pickett-General Stone, Of
the Federal army during the. civil war,
Col Rhett, Col. Jeniier a I'd myself Of
the late Confederate army, have all de-
termined to seek active service under
the Viceroy of Egypt. We have been
promised all that we could desire, and |
am convinced that our most brilliant an
ticipations are more than likely to be
realized.
GEN. PIoKETTs PROFESSION.
Reporter-Do you think, General, that
in Egypt there will not be many difficult
ties, such as language, customs of the
Country, etc, which will be hard to sur
mount2
General am well aware of that, but
YOU know have but one profession--one
to which | have been educated in the
best military school in the world, and
that education has been ripened by an
experience of nearly five years in one of
the severest wars that has ever deluged
the world with blood. Difficulties aris-
ing within the line of my profession
trust | may be able to overcome. We
don't propose, sir, to go to Egypt to be
band-box soldiers, and parade en- grande
tenue the boulepdrdes of Alexandria as
Generals of Division
Reporter = Are there not, General,
many peaceful and profitable pursuits to
which a man of your administrative
ability and genius could readily adapt
himself?
Gen. Pickett-At my age and with my
disposition | en- afraid not Besides,
my former comrades in arms have al
ready all the presidencies, secretary
ships, ETC., of railroads, express compa-
nies, mining companies and other cor
porate bodies, which the Southern direc-
tors have been go generous in bestowing
upon them i 90 to Egypt tomorrow
merely from pure love of my profession
OF course the pecuniary part of the mat
ter is an object to an impecunions sol
der, but can assure you it is entirely a
secondary consideration.
THE MEMORABLE CHARGE AT GETTYSBURG
Reporter believe you led the for
lorn hope, or, more properly speaking,
the left wing Of Longstreets Corps, com
prising the Virginia division, in the fa-
nous charges upon the Cemetery Hill at
Gettysburg2
Gen. Pickett had that honor, sir
and you may rest assured that | will be
content if / find the troops of His Vice
Regal Highness half as stubborn, half as
brave as those | led, and those who gal
lantly repulsed me on that memorable
July day.
Reporter trust, General, that your
self and party may meet with that sue
cess which your talents certainly deserve.
| am informed that General Stone, who
accompanies you is the hero of many
hard fought battle on the Federal side.
Do you not think it strange that you
should now be brothers in arms after
having been so long opposed to each
other in a cruel, heartless, unnatural
strife2
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.
General Pickett-It does seem some
what remarkable, but you know all as
perities have long since been smothered,
and the good feeling, friendship, or, as
the French better express it, the entente
cordiale among those who fought against
each other in the late war, is perfect. II
is only those in both the North and
South who were not in the fields who
still entertain those ungenerous feelings
of bitterness and animosity. In Gene
raj Stone have the greatest confidence.
He is a gentleman, scholar and a
thorough soldier | wish to serve with
none better. / say this not only as a
soldier myself, but as Southerner..
Reporter-What are the antecedents
of Colonels Jennifer and Rhett, and Cen
eral Stonef
General Pickett-Colonel Jennifer, Of
Maryland, was formerly Of the famous
old Second Cavalry, United States army,
but latterly Inspector Of Cavalry of the
Confederate service Colonel Rhett, of
South Carolina, was a graduate of West
Point. and an officer Of distinction in the
artillery corps Of the Confederate army
General Stone. Of Massachusetts,, was
also a graduate Of the Point, and who
served with great distinction in the late
war. / believe he was directly in front
of Jennifer, who commanded brigade at
Leesburg, or, as they call it here, Balls
Bluff
The Sun reporter here bade the Egyp-
tan seesaits an afectieRate farewell, I I
after wishing them con voyags and that
military distinction in Egypt which they
had so eminently won in America
Bailer was fined ten dollars for absence I
without leave. Ben will laugh az that.
for Of course somebody else's money vii
nav the hne