Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-14
GETTYSBURG FIGHT.
One Of the 0llCerS Of Pickott'S Division
Describes the Charge.
UNDER TIE ENEMTS STEADY FIRE.
Captain Reeve Thinks With the Orders
Reversed the Foe Could Have Been
Driven from tho Field.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:

same SUBJECT winch appear 10 me 10 ne
| Incorrect in many particulars. and even
the official reports by the government are
in many respects so far from the truth,
that feel impelled, in the interest OF the
truth of history to give an account of the
| charge of Picketts Division In the third
days battle, having been a participant
from start to sh OF that charge |
desire to apologize to the public for the
seeming egotism inseparable from a per-
sonal narrative Of this nature; and dis
claim any intention or desire to exaIt
the reputation of Picketts Division. Mt
the expense of any OF my comrades of the
Army of Northern Virginia. For Picketts
Division. its deeds have passed into his
tory: and | think its members will be
content with n record which shows that
in four-years' conflict with a foe SUI
perior in numbers and equipments. and
by no means deficient in courage. they
never failed to take position which they
were ordered TO take, nor could the enemy
ever fairly drive them from position
they were ordered 10 hold. And. for the
Army OF Northern Virginia-composed. a,
it was, OF troops from every State in the
Confederacy. who, as opportunity offered,
distinguished themselves by u gallantry
unsurpassed By any-the legacy OF glory
tall that IS left 10 reward them for their
unseliSh patriotism. their patient en-
durance OF hardship and prvaton, the
ini0mitaLle courage with which they
offered their lives I'm defence Of a cause
TO which they were devoted l.. or should
be. dear 70 every one who can say. Il
served with credit in the Army OF North
ern Virginia.
WHAT THE WRITER SAW.
What I shall say on this subject is
almost entirely what l saw, and is ne
ccssarily partial; for much must occur
In every battle unobserved by an active
participant. 1 give a plain account Of
what | saw, ard those who know M
will credit what | vouch for "a an eye
witness TN the second morning In
JLiy. 1863. that portion Of Pcketts Di-
vision composed OF Armisteads Car
netts. and Kemper's brlgades left Cham
bersburg whore they had been stationed
for some days, and marched IN the di-
rectlou Of Gettysburg. The day was
beautiful on. and. although warm. the
road being through a somewhat noun
famous section, the pure air. the gentle
breeZes, and the variety and beauty Of
scenery through which we passed con-
sp.red 10 render the march particularly
pleasant. The division was in fine con-
dillon, and We reached point not far
from Cash Town, ] think, not later than
3 O'Clock In the afternoon, where we en-
canped for the night. In company with
a party OF our officers | went 10 stream
not very distant and enjoyed bath.
On returning to our quarters We heard
d statement going the rounds that Gene
raj Lee had ordered our division 70
go forward and take part In the fight,
then raging fiercely in our front; but on
being told that tho division was greatly
fatgucd by the march and in no con-
dition to 20 into action had counter
manded the order Much indignation was
felt and expressed at this: the line off
GERS thinking they should have been con-
suited. as they had marched with the
men, ami could better judge Of their con-
dition. { being the universal wish, SO
far as / could ascertain. that We should
90 la when General Lee wished US to do
so. I have made every effort In my
power u ascertain the truth Of this re-
port but have been unable to have IL
verified officially.
UPON SEMINARY RIDGE.
Early the next morning the division
was formed and marched II a point of
ground on Seminary Ridge. our first po-
sitiOn was IN a depression some three or
four hundred yards in rear OF the crest
Of the Ridge, where We remained in
line Of battle about an hour, VIXEN We
were advanced 10 a position just behind
the crest Of the Ridge, where We were
ordered TO lie down. Here We remained
during the artillery hring-the heaviest
and most prolonged It has ever been my
fate TO witness; l suppose, exceeding any
which has ever occurred on this CONT
nent. We sustained some loss. but |
think very slight, when We consider the
numbers and deadly nature OF the mis-
siles hurled at US. the comparatively easy
range. and the perfect familiarity OF the
gunners with the ground. II seems that
our artillery inflicted far greater loss
on the enemy When this tremendous
artillery duel had lasted about two hours
the fire began 10 slacken, AMI nnally dItl
away. our troops We're called 10 atteh-
ton and the lines arranged preparatory
= the charge. About this time an officer,
personally unknown 10 me, who, ! sup
pose, was STAFF officer, passed alons
our line from left 10 right and seemed
to give an order b each officer AZ he
passed. The order which he gave me
was that In the charge the guide was
left. that We should dress and align our
selves by the left that We should move
forward at slow time, and not to cheer
TIL ordered"
THE ORDER APPEARED SINGULAR.
This order, which appeared to me sngu-
lar ana ill-advised, made deep impress
sion on me. and, | think. was one OF the
causes which led to the failure OF the
movement. | have been unable 10 ascer-
tain by whose authority IL was gwen.
When the order was given TO march,
and We advanced over the crest Of the
ridge, the position OF the enemy was I'M
folded to my view. and. seeing that IN
stead OF our formation being parallel
with that of the enemy. We were at an
angle Of about forty five degrees, our
left being refused. and believing that Il
serious error had been committed, / called
to Colonel Williams. who was passing
near me at the time, and, pointing 10 the
enemy, | said: Colonel. there are the
enemy; let US change front, and charge
them" He replied: II see the situation
as we'll as you do, but | have my orders
to obey; close your company 10 the leIt.'
L confess to having felt a sinking OF
heart such as ] never experienced before;
for / felt that continuation or the
movement as commenced could only end
in the destruction of the division; while
entirely out OF our power TO innict any
damage of consequence on the enemy;
and l fully sympathized with the re-
marks which l heard from the ranks
made in no cowardy spirit, but by men
who were marching forward as steadily
as If on dress-parade but which were,
in fact, terse and graphic description
of the situation-yiz.. that PICKETT
Division had been condemned to be shot
and were marching UP to execution" The
words quoted of Colonel Williamss were
about the last he ever uttered, as ne fell
from his horse MORALLY wounded imme-
diately afterwards. Major Norton, who
succeeded him in command OF the regi-
ment, turned to me. and asked what
had wished the Colonel to do. and. while
telling him. he was shot. and the NOR
tally in our ranks became so fearful as
TO render 1t impossible TO execute any
complicated manoeuyre without throwing
the troops into confusion. Nothing seemed
possible but to move steadily forward,
which We did, continuing, according TO
orders, to close to the left.
THE RELATIVE POSITIONS.
have prepared a small diagram. which.
with no pretensions TO mathematical ac-
curacy. gives fair outline OF the post
ton and movements OF the troops. A
nd ff,a NfS "a