The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-11-07
Some War History.

Whoever will take the trouble to make
injuries will find that there Is an un-
dereround rumor. narrative, or whatever
YOU may call II, that General George II:
PICKETT did not take part IN the immortal
performance Of his division on the tnird
day Of the battle Of Gettysburg but, ON
the contrary, that he left the division TO
get through the affair as IL best could,
Keeping himself secure in a place OF
General Pickett was a very distinguished
officer of the Army Of Northern Virginia,
and statement Of this sort about him Is
very painful to genuine and true Con-
federate. We have, therefore. been at
some pains TO Investigate the facts OF
the case and we lay the results oil thdt
investigation before our readers this
The war Records" contain, in Volume
q. Part g. Series ], page 1913, the follow
ing letter:
General George e. Pickett Commanding,
etc.
GeneraI.-You and your men have
crowned yourselves with glory; but we
have the enemy to fight, and must care
fully, at this critical moment guard
against dissensions, which the reflections
I'm your report would create. VIII,
therefore. suggest that you destroy both
copy and original, substituting one con,
fined to casualties merely L hope all
will yet be well.
am, with respect, your obedent SER
want X. Il. LEE General
Editor of Richmond Times:
Dear Sir.-The above extracts are clipped
from an editorial i'm your issue of sun
dav. the 18th, entitled, Some War HIS
tory" Referring to the former, the
writer has heard many queries, conlec-
lures. ETC. on this subject-n0t under
ground" but openly and above board.
He has never heard positive statement
| as 10 where General Pickett was In that
! charge: never heard him located or placed,
| except. to quote the language or member
| of his STAFF. who doesn't remember nov
| far back I'm the rear of his division Gen
| eral Pickett was, but he was In mushetry
range. and much closer than was prudent
| or necessary for a Major-General COM
! manding an assault.
! members ever to have seen in print the
position Of General Pickett, though gen.
| eral and indefinite in this Instance, To-
! Gated in the charge at Gettysburg.
| Referring to the latter, and quoting
what General Lee said: You and your
| men have covered yourselves with glory,
General Lee evidently intended to convey
| the idea Your division has immortallZed
| itself and you are entitled TO snare win
| IT all that this implies But for your d.
! vision, you could have done nothing; us
! bravery, courage and devotion on the held
| Of Gettysburg have covered you ana IL
| with glory The writer will be excused
| If he recalls little incident (and straws
! show which way the wind blows, In
! which he is compelled. reluctantly. to
| refer to himself, but IL may throw some
| light on the darkness enveioplnS TINS
| question. and mitigate somewhat the
| painful" solicitude OF every genuine and
! true Confederate lie was wounded in
| the shoulder by a fragment of a shell
| early IN the charge, and through the as
! sistance Of Captain Moody, of a Georgia
| battery. while being carried to the rear,
| was enabled TO be among the first to
! reach the field hospital. After a hurried
| examination Of ms wound the surgeon
| pronounced il severe and such as would
| give him much trouble, but was not dan
| gerous, and could be attended 10 later.
| there being other cases more serious and
| TN cup, said: Take this To Brigade or
| Division Surgeon McCOnkeys wagon
| pointing IL out 10 him, "and get some
whisky to alleviate your pain until l
| can look after YOU"
| Following the surgeons instructions,
| when he arrived there. much TO
| his surprise two officers of Gen
| eral Picketts STAFF their names
can be furnished, If desiredD and an Of
| hccr Of Virginia regiment In Pickett :
division, formerly attached to the writer $
| regiment, all OF whom he knew, and TO
| all appearances had passed through the
| battle unscathed were standing on the
tongue of the surgeons wagon each with
| a tin cup, awaiting their turn for a ration
| OF whiSkey. Why were these officers
| there at that time. separated from their
! commands NO troops were 10 be seen
falling back. Their presence Che staff
| ofticers) naturally suggested that General
| Pickett might be I'm the neighborhood
| hut a glance around the surroundings Of
| the field hospital failed TO disclose his
] presence. After the staff and line had
been provided with Their Confederate
| chlorOform and retired, the writer pre-
| scented his prescription. which was honor
ed and filled. and he retired also. 70 carry
out the directions Of the surgeon, who
| shortly afterwards dressed his wound and
sent him on TO the rear.
In no account Of the third days fight
| at Gettysburg does the writer remember
ever 10 have seen General Pickett's name
mentioned, except as in command of his
division: no incident, circumstance, or
| event connected Herewith happening or
| mentioned. to identify or locate him, after
! the advance began. He was there, on
| the field. commanding his division but
| during Il lapse of thirty years no mention
is made of any specific act. order, or in
| cidcnt to indicate where he was, or what
! he did. except as set forth i'm Captain
| Symngton's communication, which. to say
the least, is very indefinite and unsatis-
| factory.
| Armistead was killed. Garrett was kill
| ed. and Kemper as good as killed. and
| nearly every brigade, field and staff Of
ficer in the division killed or wounded
| What were the division, field and stan
| caSud tiles? n. oil
Eleventh Virginia Regiment, Picketts
| Division