Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-08-20
sHEPHERDsTOWN w. VA, FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 1885,

reach the ridge in front of the ground
over which the charge of Pickett was
made. What thoughts here came crowd
ing my memory, as l sat and looked
ever the fields before me, and where
went down in blood on that memorable
third of July thousands Of brave men.
And among that gallant host fell Arm
stead and Garnett, and kemper was
wounded. Over the same ground was
fought the most terrible artillery duel
the world has ever known. Says Prof.
Jacobs, an eye witness: "Not less than
one hundred and fifty cannons OH each
side belched forth the missiles of death,
producing such continuous succession
of crashing sounds as to make us feel as
if the very heavens had been sent
asunder. The air was filled with lines
of whizzing, screaming, bursting shells
and solid shot. After this the stiffness
of death reigned. Men held their
breath. They knew well the decisive
moment of battle was at hand. Out from
the woods back of Cordori's eighteen
thousand Confederates emerged in three
dark, massive lines. An avalanche Of
human beings marched with colors hy
ing, bayonets glittering in magnificent
order to pitiless slaughter" This was
Picketts charge. Has the world ever
seen the like? If so, history fails to re-
cord it. | feel almost rooted to the
spot, while gazing away back in the
past, and thought Of the carnage that
over this very ground had taken place
twenty-three years ago. How men lived
under such q storm of shot seems to be
almost incredible. Near by is the spot
where General Hancock was wounded.
But it was growing late, and we must
pass on, as there are many points OF in
terest that must yet be seen. Moving
on down the avenue towards the town,
counting the monuments as weTide, we
halt upon Cemetery Hill, where you
can still SEE the breastworks and lu-
uettes that were thrown up for the pro-
lection OF the batteries that were in po-
sition on that part of The field. And
looking down the hill you have full
view OF the ground over which pressed
the brigades of Hayes and Hoke, who
charged and carried the hill, capturing
the batteries of Weidrich and Picketts,
when they in turn were repulsed and
driven back down the slope. From other
vantage ground you have fine view OF
country that surrounds Gettysburg
from most all points, and from this
point, looking to the eastward, you can
see the ground over which the cavalry
under Stewart" fought, the position be-
ing marked now by n shaft lately erected
on the Rummel far m, four miles distant
from the town. Leaving Cemetery
Hill, and riding down through Gettys-
burg until we come 20 the public square,
where we turn and take the Chambers
burg road, over which General Lee ad-
vanced, moving on out mile or so, we
come upon the line of the first days
fight, and looked upon the spot where
Gen. Reynolds fell, which is now
marked by massive granite mon
ument just erected to his memory
by his native State of Pennsylvania.
Further on across the railroad is the cut
where General Archer with his brigade
was captured. Retracing our steps we
come to the extreme left of Reynolds,
which was held by the One hundred and
twenty eighth Regiment Pennsylvania
troops, which they have marked with
monument,
This field can truly be called field Of
monuments. Many Of them mark the
spots and positions Of the troops who
were engaged upon the Union side in
that great battle. But there is nothing
in the shape of board or stone to mark
or point out to the visitor the positions
of the Confederates. Shall it always be
so? Is there no voice that can be heard
asking that some memorial be raised to
mark the ground upon which so many
gallant sons of the South fell on that
ever memorable field, Gettysburg?