The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-11-30

every side Nothing could stop my men,
however, aud they commenced their heroic
charge up the side Of Cemetary Ridge
Our attack was to progress in the general
direction of Emmcttsburg road, but the
Federal troops, as they were forced from
point to point, availing themselves of the
stone fences and boulders near the noun.
tains as rallying points, so annoyed our right
flank that Gen. Hoods division was obliged
to make Il partial change of front SO as to
relieve itself Of this CALLING flank fire
This drew Gen. McI.aws Il little further to
the right than Gen. Lee had anticipated, so
that the defensive advantages Of the ground
enabled the Fcdcrals to delay our purposes
until they could occupy little Round Top,
which they just then discovered was the
key to their position. The force thrown
upon this point was so strong as to seize our
right, us it were, in wise.
TIE CHARGE UP CEMETERY RIDGE.
Still the battle on our main line continued
to progress. The situation Was Il critical
one. My corps had been fighting over au
hour, having encountered and driven back,
line after line of the Army of the cnemy.
In front OF them was a high and rugged
ridge, on its crest the bulk Of the Potomac,
numbering six to one, and securely resting
behind strong positions. My brave fellows
never hcsitatcd, however. Their duty was
in front Of them, and they met it. They
charged up the hill i'll splendid style, sweep
ing everything before them, disledging the
enemy i'll the face of Il withcring fire
When they had fairly started up the second
ridge | discovered that they were suffering
terribly from fire that swept over their
right and left tlanks. also found that my
left flank was not protected by the brigades
that were to move en- echciOn with it.
Mcl1aw's line was consequently spread out
to the left to protect its flank, and Hoods
line was extended to the right to protect its
Hank from the sweeping fire Of the large
bodies of troops that were posted on Round
Top. ThsSE two movements OF extension
SO drew my forces out that found myself
attacking Cemetery Hill with single line
Of battle against not less than JO,0UO
troops
My two divisions at that time were cut
down to eight or nine thousand men, four
thousand having been killed or woud,d.-
We Felt at every step the heavy stroke Of
fresh troops-thc sturdy, regular blow that
| tells u soldier instantly that he has cncuun-
tered reserves or rcniorccmcnts We rc
ceivcd no support at all, and there was no
evidence of cooperation on any side To
urge my ken forward under these circum-
stances would have been madness, and !
| Withdrew them in good order to the peach
orchard that VIC had taken from the Fcdc.
rails carly in the afternoon. 1t may L,. u.4..
toned here rs illustrative Of the dauutless
spirit Of these men, that when Gen. Hun.
phrcs. Of Mississippi, was ordered to with
draw his troops from the charge lie thought
there was some mistake, and retired t. u
captured battery near the swale between the
two ridges, where he halted. and when or
lcrcC to retire to the new line second
time he did SO under protest. Our men
had not thought of retreat They broke
every line they encountered. When the
order to withdraw was given courier Was
sent to Gen. Lee informing him Of the re,
suit Of the days work.
| A MARVELLOUS ASSAULT.
Before pursuing this narrative further
! shall say word or two concerning this
assault. | am satisfied that my force, mum
bcri.g hardly 1900 men, encountered du
ring that three and u half hours of bloody
""i S-noI less than $4,000 Of the Fcdcrals
and yet their charge was not checked no,
their line broken until We ordered them &c
withdraw. | found that night that I.52g
OF my men. more than onc-third of the
total number, had been left on the field -
History records no parallel to the fight b,
these two divisions on the ID of July at
Gettysburg
EWELLS INACTION.
1t may be imagined that was astonished
ut the TACT that we received no support after
VIC had driven the Fcdcrals from the peach
orchard ard 1000 yards beyond If Gen
erai Eweil had engaged the army in the
front at that time (say 4 oclock) he would
have prevented their massing their Who'll
army III my front, and while he and | kent
iGslGtNa %ilsyaGitf Weak, ana. would have
threatened it while | broke through their
lett and dlsodsed them. Having failed to
move at 1 o'clock while the cucmy was in
ms front it was still more SURPRISING that
he dld not advance at 5 o'clock with yioor
and promptness when the trenches in front
OF nm were vacated, or rather held by ore
single brigade, Gas General Mcades testi
lhohy before the committee on the conduct
OF the war statcs.) Had he taken these
trenches and scattered the brigade that