The National tribune., 1892-07-07

| and good taste for the States of New York,
| Pennsylvania, Massachusetts,, Maine, Michigan
and Minnesota, whose regiments participated
in that struggle, to appropriate funds to erect
a large granite monument capped with Gen.
Meade mounted, in bronze, with inches to adj
nit of tablets for each organization that partici-
pated, that their bright deeds might be pre-
served from that oblivion into which they are
fast driiting-a study for the savant of future
ages?
Gen. Longstreet ordered Gen. Pickett, whose
division was composed of Gen. Kemper's Bril-
gade, LIST, Sd, eth, 18th and 2ith Va. Gen.
Garnett's Brigade Sth, 18TH 10Th. 2Sth and
Seth Va, and Gen. Armisteds Brigade. 9th,
14th, 35th SD and 57th Va, who had not been
engaged, to lead the charge. The clump Of
trees beyond the wall was the point of direc-
ton. Gen. Garrett, with Kemper on his
right, Archer's old brigade, 1st 9TH and 18th
Tenn, and 9Th N. c. ON his left, and Gen.
Armisted massed in his rear. at the signal
moved ont and approached the stone wall,
where Gen. Webb's Brigade of 69th. 71st, I'D
and two companies of 106th Pa, were in line.
Gen. kemper's Brigade on the right was met
by Gen. Harrow's and Halls Brigades in front,
aud whitening fire on the right flank from
STANDARDS Vermont Brigade causing the rebels
to recoil and march by the left flank and mass
in. of Garnetts heavy column. When
Lieut.. Haskell of Gen. Gibbons staff who had
been sent to inform Gen. Meade of the ap-
proach, returned, he found Gen. Webb main
tanning his position at the angle. Haskell then
rode to the right to look for his General, whom
he had left mounted. But Gen. Hancock and
Gen. Gibbon had both been wounded and car
red off the field. Haskell saw Gen. Hayes
heavily engaged along his entire front. Re-
turning, he saw Webb retreating from the wall
and rallyiDg his brigade behind the crest of
the ridge and contesting the rebel advance,
which was less than so yards off. Lieut.. Has
KEEL rode rapidly to the laft and secured the
sistance of Col. Halls Brgade-19th and Goth
Mass, 42d and 59th N. Y. and 7th Mich. Con-
tinuing to the left he secured Gen. Harrow's
Brigade-19th Me-, 18th Mass, SD n. Y, and
the old Thunderbolt. 1st Mimi. Nine regi-
ments hurried to Webb's assistance. charge
by Webb's Brigade was then ordered and urged,
but the charge only succeeded when Halls
and HarrOw's Brigades crowded SO close upon
Webb's that for a time brigade, regimental and
even company organization was lost or not
maintained in the general advance. Soon after
the Union forces passed the ridge behind which
theyhad been protected, the rebels became panic
stricken, threw down their arms and called
loudly for quarter Gen. Kemper and Garrett
were badly wounded and Gen. Armisted killed.
The loss in officers and men was frightful to
contemplate.
When we consider the numbers engaged,
killed, wounded, and prisoners, we come to the
conclusion that this was the graudest charge
recorded in modern history One gentleman
says no dead bodies except Webbs Brigade
and few battery men were found near the
stone wall. But, comrade, that only confirms
the long-cberished opinion of the old soldier,
always more men lost in retreat than in
well.directed charge"
Now, comrade, let me ask, Who can say
to-day what Union officer or man in that
charge reached the wall first? 1t is generally
admitted that but little firing was done by the
rebels after the Union troops passed the crest.
That might account for no dead bodies of Halls
or Harrow's Brigades being found near the
wall, but fails to prove the old Thunderb0lt
was not there. Z. DeBsoN, LIST Pa. Reserves,
Phenixville, Pa.