Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-07-21
Bravest of the Brave.
PICKETT's MARVELLOUS CHARGE AT
GETTYSBURG.
| Boston Traveller, I

L
Mr.. Charles A. Patch, in the Bay State
Monthly, gives an account of the Confeder-
ate attack ON Cemetery Hill, on the third
day Of the battle of Gettysburg, from which
we copy as follows
| Lee called council of his Generals at
Longstreet's headquarters. and the plan of
attack was formed. 1t is said that the lev
el-headed Longstreet opposed the plan, re-
markable so it was, but in keeping with
his remarkable generalship. The attack
was to be opened with artillery fire to de-
moralize and batter the Federal line, and
| was to be opened by signal of two shots
from the Washington Artillery. At 1870
the report Of the first gun rang out on the
still Summer air, followed minute later
by the second, and then came the roar and
flash of 1873 rebel cannon.
Almost Immediately 100 Federal guns re-
sponded and the battle had begun. Shot
and shell tore through the air, crushing
through batteries, tearing men and horses to
pieces; the very earth seemed to shake and
the bills to reel at the terrible thunders re-
echoed amongst them. For nearly an hour
every conceivable form of ordnance known
to modern gunneryhissed and shreked, whis-
tied and screamed, as it went forth ON its
death mission, till, exhausted by excite
ment and heat, the gunners slackened their
FIRE and silence reiened again.
Then Pickett and his brave legion stood
up and formed for the death struggle; three
| remnants of brigades, consisting of Gar
nett's brigade-the Eighth, Eighteenth,
Nineteenth, Twenty y-eighth, Fifty sixth Vir-
ginia Armistead's brigade-the Ninth,
Fourteenth, Thirty eighth, Fifty third,
Fifty-seventh Virginia; Kemper's brigade
the First, Third, Seventh, Eleventh,
Twenty fourth Virginia. Their tattered
flags bore the scars of score of battles,
| and from their ranks the merciless bullet
had already taken two-thirds their num-
ber.
In compact ranks, their front scarcely
covering two of Hancock's brigades, with
flags waving as if for a gala day, General
Pickett saluted Longstreet and asked
''Shall 60 forward, sr?'' But it was not
in Longstreet's heart to send those heroes
of SO many battles to certain death, and he
turned away his head-when Pickett, with
| that proud, impetuous air, which has earn
ed him the title of the s'Ney'' of the rebel
army, exclaimed:-''Sir, shall lead my di-
vision forward!' The orders now rang
out, s'Attention! Attention." and the men,
realizing the end was near, cried out to
their comrades, "Good-by, boys, good-byw
Suddenly rang out on the air the final Or
der from Pickett himself, and his sabre
flashed from its scabbard :-"Column for
wardI Guide centred" and the brigades of
Kemper, Garnett, and Amistead moved
toward Cemetery Ridge as one man. Soon
Pettigrew's division emerged from the
woods and followed in echelOn on Pickett's
left flank, and Wilcox, with his Alabama
division, moved out to support his right
hank-in all about Is, 600 men.
The selection of these supports shows
lack of judgment which it would almost
seem impossible for Lee to have made
Pettigrew's division was composed mostly
of new troops from North Carolina. and
had been terribly used up in the first days
fight, and we're in no condition to form part
of forlorn hope. Wilcox's troops had al
so received very severe punishment in the
second days engagement in his attack on
the Ridge, and should have been replaced
by fresh, well-tried brigades. But the
movement had now begun, and Lee, with
his Generals about him, watched anxiously
for the result.
1t was nearly mile to the Union lines,
and as they advanced over the open plain
the Federal artillery opened again, plowing
great lanes through their solid ranks, but
they closed up to "guide centre" as if upon
dress parade; when half way over, Pickett
halted his division amidst terrible fire of
shot and shell, and changed his direction
by an oblique movement coolly and beauti-
fnlly made.
But here occurred the greatest mistake
of all. Wilcox paid no attention to this
change of movement, but kept straight on
to the front, thus opening q tremendous
gap between the two columns and exposing
Pickett's right to all the mishaps that af-
forwards overlook it. To those who have
ever faced artillery fire it is marvellous and
unexplainable how human beings could
have advanced a. mile nnder the terrible
fire of hundred cannon, every inch of air
being laden with the missiles of death; but
in splendid formation they still came brave
ly on till within range of the musketry;
then the blue line of Hancocks corps arose
and poured into their ranks a murderous
fire. With wild yell, the rebels pushed
on, unfalteringly crossed the Federal line,
and laid hands on II cannon.
Men fired in each others faces; there
were bayonet thrusts, cutting with sabres,
hand to-hand contests, oaths, curses, yells,
and hurrahs. The second corps fell back
behind the guns to allow the use of grape
and double canister, and as it tore through
the rebel ranks at only few PAGES distant
the dead and wounded were piled in CHASTITY
heaps. Still on they came, up to the very
muzzles of the guns; they were blown away
from the cannon's mouth, but they did not
waver. Pickett had taken the key to the
position, and the glad shout of victory was
heard, as, the very impersonation of SOL
dier, he still forced his troops to the crest
of Cemetery Ridge. Kemper and Armistead
broke through Hancock's line, scaled the
hill and planted their flags on its crest
Just before Armistead was shot he placed
his flag upon captured cannon and cried:
-"Give them the cold steel, boys!" but
valor could do no mOre-the handful of
braves had won immortality, but could not
conqner an army. Pettigrew's weak divis.
ion was broken, fleeing and almost annihi-
lated. Wilcox, owing to his great mistake
in separating his column, was easily rout-
ed, and Stannard's Vermonters, thrown in.
to the gap, we're creating havoc on Pickett's
flank.
Pickett, seeing his support gone, his
Generals-Kemper, Armistead, and Gar
nett killed or wounded, every field officer of
three brigades gone, three-fourths of his
men killed or captured, himself untouched
but broken-hearted, gave the order for re-
treat but, band of heroes as they were,
oAOy llOu hOU-Dub dmlOSG GudU bLllI COuGlu-
uous, terrible fire, they slowly, sullenly re-
crossed the plain, all that was left of them,
but few of 5, 200.
Thus ended the greatest charge known to
modern warfare. Made in a most uneque
manner against great army, and amidst
the most terrific caunenade known in wars,
and yet 50 perfect was the discipline, so au-
dacious the valor, that had this handful of
Virginians been properly supported, they
would, perhaps, have rendered the Federal
position untenable, and, possibly, have es-
taslished the Southern Confederacy. While
other. battle-felds are upturned by the
plow and covered with waving grain, Gem
etery Ridge will ever proudly uphold its
monuments telling of glory both to the
blue and the gray, and our children's chill
dren, while standing upon its crest, will re-
hearse again of Pickett's wonderful charge.
''My dear, what makes the car go?"
asked McSwiilisen of his spouse. "The
engine, of course, replied Mrs. Mes. 'Ms-
taken," said her husband. "What is it,
ALo~ T,J Ill. 70 lroorr SsTLo