The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-19

ticle from Colonel Is. Otey IN Inc l'lCH-
mond Times, 10 the effect mat ne mas
heard many queries, conjectures' exc"
as to General Picketts position ana con
nection with the movements of his dlVis-
ion i'm the third days battle dt Gettys-
burg and has never heard any Sdtl9IdC-
tory answer TO them, desire to make tne
following statement Of facts in regard 10
the matter.
When the division arrived on the bat
tledeld on that morning IL took posi-
ton slightly in the rear of the artillery
commanded by Colonel +. =. Alexander,
and General Pickett was directed to hoid
himself i'm readiness { owe against the
enemy's position WI er rn 9tinGu 10y
Colonel Alexander tina, the Federal ar
tillery was sufficiently disabled TO render
an assault practicable. one of General
PickettS couriers Mdrtln CampbeH 10y
name) was left with Colonel Alexander
TO bring his notice to General Ilckett
whenever he thought the proper time TO
move had arrived.
The artillery duel. as is generally
known, ragged for about tNo hours, ana
at the end of that time there was an
evident Stacking of the enemys ire.
Colonel Alexander then sent TO General
pickett the notice to move. under the
impression that the. Federal batteries
were TO some eXent silenced. This proved
afterwards 10 be a mistake, as the 1ul
i'm their fire was caused by temporary
want of ammunition. W hen he received
the order, General pickett placed himself
al tfit ifbHt Vi iiiS hiNtSt'i anu boNN
the order to adVance-Kemper and Gar
nett in front and Armistead in the rear
as second line of attack.
\ short time after the movement began
General Pickett assumed his proper posi-
ton IN the rear and centre OF hs line Of
battle. moving forward with his division,
actively directing It's movements, and IN
every respect participating In its dan
gers. In no other position would il have
been possible for him TO know what was
occurring all along his line, or to dis
charge the duties which every practical
soldier knows would deVOlVe upon a
major-general. commanding an import
ant movement.
When the attack failed he personally
superintended the Withdrawal of his
troops, and the formation OF the remnant
of his division along new line near our
original position.
That there could possibly have been
any doubt as to the facts above mem
toned, is matter that will never be
comprehended by any man or officer
familiar with the facts
a. ID. G.; w. Stuart Symington, \.
II, c., Robert A. Bright A. u. G.;
Thos. X: Friend, courier to General
IicFttt; Thos. X. Harrison, A. -. G.,
W Martin Leutenant-Cclope com
manGipg Fifty-third Virginia, Armis-
teads Brigade.
Hickman, Va, Nov. 10. 1894.
Editor Tin IS: In your issue of The
T,mcs dated November Sth. MIR. Otey
discusses Ma1or-General Pickett's posi-
tion during the charge of his division at
Gettysburg. ! bad the honor TO be cap
tain OF Company G. Flf,y-seventh Vir-
Finia Regiment. Armistead's Brigade:
was wounded very soon after | GOT i'm
muskct range. and went to the rear. and
as was going back | passed by and spoke
TO the General. not Very far behind the
division. and If | am not mistaken IN
reach OF the musketry. | know that
General Pickett was we'll ~ in the field
that his men were creeping and without
low Pickett from that time up TO the
fall of Petersburg, and never saw him
dodge. nor do l like to see his laurel
taken from him at Gettysburg.
ID. i. HICKMAN.