The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-01-17
the tremendous pressure which threatened
its front and flank, and fell back upon the
reserve. ~ f.s
THE pERRIBLE LOSS OF tfFE.

the tremendous pressure which threatened
its front and flank, and fell back upon the
reserve. r. f.ta
T. THE TERRIBLE LOSS OF LIRE.
|, Hays Division, at the retired portion of
the wall, which was much stronger, remain
ed .unbroken, through whose ell-directed
and terrible fire no foe could pass. Several
regiments were thrown forward from the
right Of Hays Division, which, with num-
Der OF batteries, had continued to enfilade
the left of the column-a already weakened
and commencing to break; The destruction
Of life was fearful. and in the hopelessness
Of despair hundreds broke to the rear or
threw themselves Oh the ground for protec-
lion; others pressed to their right and con-
tinued the contest at the angle OF the stone
WALL OF this portion of thu. engagement
Col. Shepard, in his report OF 'Archer's Bril-
gade (Which had the right OF Pettigrew's Di-
vision,) says: s'The line both to the right
and left, as far as | could observe, seemedlto
melt away, until there was but little of it
left. Every flag in the brigade except one
was captured at OF. within the works OF the
enemy. The. first Tennessee had three col
or-bearers shot down, the last OF whom was
OF the works, and the flag captured. The
Thirteenth Alabama had three in the same
works. The Fourteenth Tennessee had four
| shot down, the last Of whom was at the en-
emy's works, and the flag was only saved
by Captain Morris tearingit away from the
staff and bringing it out beneath his coat.
The Fifth Alabama also lost their flag at tile
enemy's works. There were seven field Of
licers that went into the, charge, only two
OF whom came OUT Garrett had fallen
dead just after reaching The road, ,Kemper
was desperately wounded, Pettigrew and
Trimble had also both been placed hors de
combat. Hancock lay bleeding upon the
ground, Gibb0n was being taken wounded
from the field, Webb, too, was hit, .Sl.errill
and Smyth both disabled, the former NOR
tally, Stannard had received painful wound
but his troops continued to pour yolley after
volley into Pickett's flank. Frye, Marshall,
Lawrence. ,Pettigrew's and Trimble brigade
commanders, and thousands of Others lay
bleeding on the field.
A GREAT ACT OF BATTLE.
At this moment (for it was all the work
OF only Jew minutes and almost stimuli
taneoLs occurrence Armistead, Brigade,
which had followed closely, dashed up to
the wall already abandoned by Webb's right.
But, seeing that his men were inclined to
use it as a defense, as the front line. was do
ing, General Armistead for the first time
drew his sword, placed his hat GA its point,
raised it high in the air, and, springing over
the wall, cried, boys, we must use the cold
steel; wib will follow me??" Lieutenant
Colonel Marlin~with less than one hundred
men responded to the call, only four of
whom continued with their officers to the
crest, passing as they advanced General
Webb, who was returning to his front line.
Al this moment Halls and Harrow's bril-
gades, the fighting having ceased on their
front, rushed to their right and struck Ar
mtstead in flank. Webb's second line adj
yanced at the same moment. Both Armis-
tead and Martin were instantly shot down,
forty-two Of the men who crossed the wall
lay dead, aud few if any returned unhurt to
tell the tale. Thus. ended this, great act OF
the battle-one Of the most gallant charges
recorded in history. Gen. Alexander Or
dered up Wright's Brigade to attack as a re-
lief to Pickett, but Generel Longstreet di
rected him to stop the movement, remark
ing that sit was useless aad would involve
an unnecessary loss, the. assault having
failed.'' General Longstreet then ordered
General Wright, with all his officers and a
portion Of his own staff, to rally and collect
the scattered troops behind Andersop's Di-
vision, The supplementary movement of
General Wilcox's command, his own and
Pcrry's brigades, occurred about twenty
minutes later. General Wilcox, who had
been directed to cover the right of the at
lacking column, now received orders to adj
vance, which he did; but on reaching the
crest OF the intermediate ridge, and seeing
nothing Of Pickett's, splendid column that
had so recently passed him, he concluded it
had carried the position and passed on.oycr
follow. But,hessoon met a most fearful fire
| of cannister from McGilyery's Brigade Of
artillery and several detached batteries, and
a flank fire of musketry from Stannard's
Brigade, by which his line was broken up
and large numbers, were lost in killed,
wounded and missing. In this brief descrip-
tion CT so important a movement I have left
unsaid much that ought to be written; UNI
told many movements of individual COM
mands that should not be lost in history ::
and frequently, for want Of space, have
been unable 10 make as full descriptive con-
| ncctions between events as should have
been glad to do. Events of nearly siinulta-
neous occurrence are necessarily separated
! in the description. t, s,ff
Is THE GALLANTRY OF THE TROOPS.
| tits sometimes asked, ssWhich troops con-
Quoted themselves most calamity in this
grand assault?''s But this is a question very
difficult to answer. 10 do so one must take
fully into consideration che condition of
each command when the charge commenced,
the distance which each had to move, the
| character OF the distractions which each had
to overcome, the cover by which each was
protected, the relative strength of the de-
lenses assailed, and the character Of the
1 troops which each met: These, and many
other points Of minor Importance, must be
| fully considered before one attempts to pass
in Judgment upon this question. Indeed, it
is my opinion that whoever visits Gettys-
burg will no longer wonder why the posi-
ton was mot carried, but will rather ex-
claim with surprise that any troops could
have reached the point they did and live.
4 give you cheerfully the result of my in
quiries And, my dear sir, allow ME to say
again, shall esteem it a favor if you or
your friends will correct any statement OF
mine, which they can show to be wrong.
am, sir, very truly yours,
/ 80 JOHN 3. BACHELOR.
Boston, Mass, Oct. 30, 1877.
q.