The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-09-07
A GREAT DEED OF ARMS.
PIcKErr's CHARGE AT aETrYsBuaG A

The assaulting column really consisted of
Pickott's Division-two bridges in front,
and one in the second line as support
with Wilcox in the rear of its right to pro-
tect that flank; while Heth's Division
moved forward on Pickett's left in ecltelon,
or with the alignment so imperfect and
dropping on tho left as to appear in echeloa,
with Lanes and Scales Brigades in Ssas.o6
its right, and its left without reserve orsup.
port, and entirely exposed. Thus the col
umn moved forward. 1t is needless to say
word here of the heroic conduct of Pick
ctts Division; that charge has already
passed into history as 'ono of the worlds
great deeds Of arms" While, doubtless,
many brave men Of other commands reached
the crest Of the heights, this was the only
organized body that ontcred the works Of
the enemy. Much can be said in excuse
for the failure Of the other commands to
fulfill the task assigned them. AS a gene
raj rule, the peculiarly rough and wooded
character of the country in which our army
was accustomed to operate, and which in
some respects was unlavorable for the ma
nGuvres Of large armies, was of decided
advantage to us /; for, in moving upon the
enemy through bodies of woods, or in'a
broken, rolling country, not only was the
enemy ut loss how to estimate our
strength, but our own men were not i'm
pressed with that sense of insecurity which
must have resulted from thorough knowl
edge of their own weakness.
1t was different here. The charge was
made down gentle slope, and then up to
the cnemy's lines, distance of over half
II mile, dcnudcd of forests, and in full sight
of the enemy and in perfect range of their
artillery. These combined causes pro-
duccd their natural effect upon Pcttigrew's
Division and the briyades supporting it,
causing them to falter, and finally retire.
Then Pickctt's Division, continuing the
charge without supports, and in the sight
of the enemy, was not so formidable or eff
tcctvc rs it would have been had trees or
hills prevented the enemy from so correct
ly estimating the strength Of the attacking
column and our own troops from expert
cncing that sense of weakness which the
known absence of support necessarily pro
duccd. In spite Of all this, it steadily and
gallantly advanced to its allotted task. AS
the three brigadcs under Garnet, Armistcad
and kcmpcr approach the cnemy's lines u
most terrific fire Of artillery and small arms
is concentrated upon them but they swcrve
not-therc is no taltering steadily moving
forward, they rapidly reduce the 'intcrvcn-
ing space, and close with their adversarics !;
leaping the breastworks, they drive back the
enemy, and plant their standards on the cap
tured guns, amid shouts Of victory-dcarly
won and short-lived victory
No more could be cxactcd or expected of
those men of brave hearts and nerves Of
steel; but where are the supports to reap
the benefit Of their heroic efforts, and gath
-. .i,u rruir. of n Victory ...ahiy .sna q
Was that but torlorn hope, on whose sue
cess, not only in penetrating the enemy S
lines, but in maintaining its hold against
their combined and united efforts to dis
lodge it, az entire army was to wak in
quiet observation Was it designed to
throw these few brigades at
the most, but two divisions-upon the for
tilted stronghold of the enemy, while, full
half Il mile away, seveneights of the army
in sreathcss suspense, in ardent admiration
and fearful anxiety, watched but moved
not? | maintain that such was not the dc
sign of the commanding general. Had the
veteran divisions Of Hood and McLaws
been moved forward, as was planned in
support Of those of Pickett and Pcttigrcw,
not only would the latter division, in all
probability, have gained the encmy's works,
As did that or IlcSctt, but these Two ,,e~siS
have been enabled, with the aid of Hood
and McLaws, to resist all efforts of the enc
my to dislodge them. The enemy closing in
on Pickett's brgaies, concentrating upon
that small band of heroes the fire Of every
gun that could be brought to bear upon them,
soon disintcgratcd and ovcrpowcrcd them
Such rs were not killed, disabled and made
captive, fell back to our lines.
1t appears that General Longstrect
deemed it necessary to defend his right flank
and rear with the divisions of McLaws and
Hood. These divisions, as before stated,
constituted all Of the Confederate line held
by Longstrccts troops, and it is not appari
ent how they were necessary to defend his
flank and rear. The nearest infantry force
of She enemy to our right occupied the hills
Round Top and Little Round Top-an3
ti0- oniy foroe th"o. ,eoula-bo eaid to haze
threatened our flank and rear consisted Of a
lew brisadcs OF cavalry, so posted as to pro-
tect the encmy's left. 1t is not my purpose
here to undertake to establish the wisdom
OF an attack on the cncmys position on the
third day, which General Longstrcct con-
tends was opposed by his Judgment, and of
which he says he would have stayed the cx
rcution, had he felt that he had the privi
IN 10, 1