The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-09

first pennsylvania regiments, who had
been awaiting the coming attack. At this
moment they were brought under the fire
of Stannard's brigade, which was occupy
ing q small wood IN advance and to the
left Of the point OF Pickett's attack. Han
cock realizing the purpose of the attack,
and always on the alert TO seize favorable
opportunity, threw force on Pickett 5
flank. Two OF Armistead's regiments were
frightfully decimated and thrown into n
dsorganized state by this movement The
remainder Of his brigade dropped into the
rear of the center OF Pickett's lines. Arm
istcad, swinging his sword wildly, and
rushing from point TO point, urged his
men forward, and reached the front
rank between Kcmper and Garnctt.
In the impctuOus rush which ensued
these brigades became compact strug-
| Cling mass of human beings, all bent on
! bloody work Pushing forward, as il
moved by some irresistible force superior
10 the individual will, they threw them
selves upon the Union line like 80 many
thundcrbolts. The shock was terrific; il
seemed impossible for human power TO
withstand it, and for a moment it seemed
that II must sweep everything before IT,
With what brcathcss interest We watched
the struggle! Gen. Lee, from u conyen-
lent point, stood calmly looking at the
struggle Not an expression OF the face or
nm action indicated that hc had other than
hopes OF success. lie was as imperturba-
bic as n rock. What emotions swayod his
soul at that supreme moment lac and God
alone only knew.
The first line OF the fcdorals was pierced
and they were driven back upon the
earthworks near the artillery. There the
work OF death was renewed with irightlul
slaughter Charges OF grapeshot were
fired into PiCkCtt's men with terrible eff
feet. Hancock and GibbOn rushed up
their reserves TO help stay the furious
onslaught Of the Nirgininns. Hall recti.
fed his line which had been ouliankcd
ON the right Harrow advanced with his
lett aud almost took Picket in reverse. All
these movements, made under the great
est excitement, threw the Federal troops
into the same disordcrcd state ~ their op-
poncnts, and both became mixed in A con.
fused mass, the only way TO distinguish
one from the other bing the blue aud gray
uniforms.
Tho fighting became like that OF nm in.
luratcd mob. COnicdcmics and Fedcras
laced each other with dubbed muskets,
their hccs distorted with the fury oi mnd.
men. Commands were useless. they could
not bc heard above the din A clnmp of
trees just within the angle wall became
the objective point oi the Conicdcratcs.
Arinistcad resolved 10 take IT, Placing
his hat on his sword, he rallied about him
loo men who were ready 10 follow whrr.
ever lac would lead. Rushing forward
with his gallant band, hc pachcd n Fed. |
cral gun, and just rs be- adjurrd his follow.
crs Ia give them the cold steel, bows"
tell dead IN his tracks pierced with hal. |
lets. The death Of thi, gallant officer |
marked the complete failure ul the Con. |
icdcrate assault, aud beaten, but undis. |
MAYED. Pickctts mon rrtmccd their way |
arrusS the field, now strcwn with their |
dead. Riding up 10 Gen. Ice, Pickett dis.
mounted, and. saluiing, said, in a voice
ircmulous with sorow
General, my noble division has been
swept away"
~ alone am responsible. Gen. Pickett"
Ice replied, with that quiet dignity which
always characterized him.
II WAS expected that Gen. Meade. after
this signal rcpulsO, would place himself nj |
the head NJ his victorious soldiers aud /
lead counter charge, Int with the cSrcp. |
ton NJ the advance " few sliunishrr..
there was no movement oi the Federal |
line. In anticipation of such nm attack /
our lines werc reformed along the Semi. |
nary Ridge aud everything put In rcndi. |
ness tot defense. We watched with intansr /
anxiety every movement ui the troops In |
our front, aud iclt anything hut srcurr.
At night Gen. leo Withdrew that Dor. /
ton II Ewclls corps which had OCCUPIED /
the town, and our men Ncrr oplcrcd "a
strengthen the Seminary Ridge by throw /
ing up q line 1T rifle pits. The wounded /
that could bc transported Wcr' placed in /
nhulanccs aud wagons. and, under the -. /
cort IT ten. lmbolcn' hrigndc III cavalry. 1
wcw started back by way ul Chambers /
hun, toward lhc Potomac. Many wounded I
Ncr necessarily lett behind aud nj farm. /
houses along the route. aud vet the train /
that bprc them away, with IT, accompany.
ing baggage tmin aud artillery aud cav.
airy io guard II, covered u distance ui soy.
cntCcn miles. Although the Federal cav. |
airy WIS sent on the llh in pursuit oi this /
tuiin. Il did not reach Il until II WIS i'm
safety at Willinmspuu. Hem
q d-spcmlc effort was made 10 capture not
only this hut the ammunition train, which.
10y iufryd marches irum Winchester. had /
reached this point on iis way to Join the /
army. StuaH's cavalry, however, arrived /
In time 10 prevent this rich train from fall. I
ing into the Federal hands.
Ia the meantime tea. lee remained In
position with his entire army ON Seminary /
Ridge throughout the ith, aud while We /
knew tia, u WIS national holiday, the 4
sound ul no national airs ilnaicd ncf1si the /
plain 81 death that separated the two /
armies, and the firing ul salute- was only /
heard Ia tho royrrhratinns that still lin. i
gvfvd In the mountains and valleys from /
the grvat cannonndc " the day before. |
The rain fell throughout the day In cold. |
chilling sheets That added still morr To tho /
feeling Of depression that pcryadcd the
army
The gloomy day was drawing 10 Close
when ten. 4. T.. llill stopped 10 warm .
himself 10y my biyouac hrr. saw plainly |
that his spirit was gone and that hc made |
no effort 10 hide the fact. Presently with. |
out wuri Of comment upon the result |
hc turned sorrbwiully toward mo aud said. |
Colonel, Nc must return To Virginia and /
prcparc 10 Try again
When darkness had fully srt Ia the |
troops wcr quietly put On the march ON |
the diCct road through the mountain |
passes toward llapntoNn aud the poto. |
mac. lyu concentrated his army Ia the |
vicinity Of llagvDtoNn, but ~ the heavy |
rains II The past few DAYS had swollen Tie /
Potomac ~ NJ 90 render II too dcrp 10 hr |
iouird, ho was unable 10 crps,. Selecting I
a strong position. With hh right resting ON |
the nycf near Falling Waters, and his left |
extending bcyond llagrrioWn aud n,sling
on orvvk Ia the west OF that town, be-
proceeded 90 lurtiiy and await the subsid. |
ing Of the riNcr. ~ the construction ui q
punioon bridge lie was no further mo.