The Hillsborough recorder., 1875-09-15
PEfTiGREW ) BRIGADE Ar GET.
G TYSBURG.
NotFolk, Septellibef Isl. i875

\ Notfulk. Septeiiibef ist. is75.
" Capt. James Barron Hope: Ny Dear
Sit--i was panied, and others have shared
with me this pain. To find in your last San
days issue of the Landmark o reproduc-
tion Of the libellous attack made upon the
North Carolina troops engaged In the battle
VI Gettysburg, oftLe 3nd Of July, under
.he shiyalrvus and lamcnted General Pet.
tigrew.
This Injurious slur FIRST appeared in the
Richmond Enqniref, from the letter Of an
anonymous correspondent, shortly after the
retreat Of General Lees army from Penn
sylyania. aud was inconsideratcly copied
into Other papers u tue dsy. aud being re-
Peated, many perscns. TO who correct sour
ces u information upon the subject we're
not accessible, accept this unirutbful ac-
count rs q part Of the history If that great
but disastrous battle The officers OF Pet
tigrew's Brigade. naturally. most keenly
felt .his attempted stigma upon their
escuieheon. and upon that Of their dead
General, whose famc was rs dear 10 them
as their own honor. and took steps ms early
as they could 10 vindicate il from the at
tacks Of lis defamers.
As no official report Of the battle. as far
asthey knew. had been made, they. through
me. callei upon Captain Louis q. Young.
OF Charleston. who had been II the personal
staff Of our Geaeral. and was. With binl. n
participant IL the battles Of Gettysburg. to
put his Testimony upon the record. lie
bad behaved with distinguished gallantry
efficiency i,fsll the great battles in which
the Army OF Northern Virginia had been
engaged. from Seven Pines up 10 that period.
lie was citizen Of suother State. aud ~
every respect n.vst eligible and compe-
tent witness.
Captain Young accordingly wrote an &c
count Of the pari which General Petiigrew
aud bis Brigade took IL the memorable
battles Of the lst and 3rd Of July. which
was well received in the army, aud accepted
rs . complete vindication oi the Brigade
This oughtto have silenced the malice Of
its defamers.. but the romance writers Of
the wsr--who for the most part wrote si
safe distance fOm The scene Of conflict
regardless Of the truth Of history. have
persisted IN tbeireforts % pctptuate She
ealumny. as il the glory sud renowh o.
Virginia aud Of the kuightly Pickett. and
tis proves u bis gallant Division. we're
made more conspicuous by depreciating
the yalvr of the soldiers 0f a sister State,
whose people and whose traditions we're the
sane wi:h her own. The glory OF Virginia
and of her soldiers rested indeed npun deep.
er and stronger aud more irreiragable
foundations than any such writers could
lay. This was 50 most certainly.
As your paper, | am sure, however.
without your pnyity or knowlcdge. has
been the vehicle 10 give fresh currency 10
the account o; the inttle Of Gettysburg.
Of The 3rd ofJuly. which North caroiiui.
ans have always denounced rs unjust and
urtruthful. hope you will. as an act Of
simple justice 10 as gallant q body Of men
as ever bore the brunt Of battle. copy into
the columns 81 the LANDMARK. from the
February nnmber u Our LiriaJ tnid Oar
Dead % much Of Captain Young Testimony
a. sou can conveniently find space for.
Your own sense Of right. aud your friend
shin for North Carolina. which has been
upon all proper occasions demonstrated. as.
sure ne that this reasonable request viii
be chcernlly complied with. Believe
NE. dear Uapiuin.
Isl & Faithfully yours. - IL.
NJ ! BAKER.