Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-21

nand. Indeed. it So happened that parts
pf Pettlgrew's command remained In pos
session of the captured works longer than
Picketts. and Pettigrew lost more Sc
yerely in killed and wounded than Pick
EFT.
Because Of the inadequate idea Of that
magnificent affair. given by publications
In which no account IS taken of the pres
tnce OF other troops than Picketts. l
peg you will give space for the following
more general view Of that famous charge:
Very truly :. y. ASHE.
Standing on Cemetery Hill. a mile south
OF the N,ue town of Gettysburg. one saw
The range continue 20 the southward. now
quitting out into the valley 10 the west.
md then receding in strong curves east
ward
Almos, parallel and about a mile away
20 the west could be traced the course
Of Seminary Ridge. gently rising from
the Intervening valley. and still covered
with a growth Of original forest trees
= Coming from the town is the Emmetts-
sburg pike. which. after passing the sum-
init OF Cemetery Iiill. sworves of along
"a lower and divergent ridge that trends
across the valley. overlooking the pike
Is a stone wall following along the upper
slope OF Cemetery Ridge and conforming
generally 10 the limo of its crest. but al
n point some six hundred yards away
avhere the Hill grows holder and juts well
out into the valley. this wall makes
right angle ana comes straight towards
The pike. ana then again follows the
rrest. which soon retreats and falls
AWAY. leaving a slight depression emDayei
On the general outline.
on this headland that like n bastion
alf
stands q ciump Of trees which served TO
guide the right Of the attacking column
on that fateful day; and a quarter OF a
mile in front, but further down the val
,ev stood the farmhouse Of COrdori on
q little knoll surrounded by sparse
grove. o
The object OF General Lee was 10 pene-
frate Neadc's line in the depression on
the south Of Cemetery Hill. and, mus
turning his position, move up ana as
possess him.
In cary morning, Picketts hrSt ui-
vision hal arrived, and two of his bri-
rades had been placed under cover of the
advanced ridge. which Colonel Alexander
hal seized the night before. Armistead
Brigade lay back, protected by the nam
ridge, In q line with Heth'S DIVISION,
while the North Carolina brigades OF
Scales and Lane We're still further In the
rear These were the troops selected 10
make the assault.
In Ucth's Division were Archers Brl-
yade. composed Of two Alabama and three
tennessee regiments; Pettigrew's North
carolina Brigade: Davis's Brigade, con-
.tituted Of three Mississippi ami one
North Carolina regiment. and Broken
broughs or Fields Brigade, which was
romposed entirely OF Nirginans. Petit
CREWS Brigade was commanded by Col
Onel Marshall. General Pettigrew being in
command Of the division.
The movement was in double column,
che first line consisting Of kempers and
Iiarncts briCades on the right, with
aeths Division on the left; and for the
second line Ar;nistoad in the rear OF
Pickctt's other briEades, and Scales's and
lane's brigades of North Carolinians,
under General Trimble. IN the rear OF
Heihs Division. Archer's Brigade, the
right Of Heth's Division. was the brigade
Of direction.
Wncoxs and Perry's brigades were 10
move out on the extreme Ilght ana pro-
,tect the column from any thanking force.
while X. H. Anderson's Division, covering
abe left. was TO be in readiness TO act as
opportunity should permit
At l o'clock two guns were discharged
by the Washington Artillery as the signal
for the cannonade to begin. Immediately
The line Of batteries opened with saivos
~ artillery, ev0king quick reply from
.he enemy, and the engagement soon be-
iarne one Of the most terrific lombard
rnents OF the war. Its fury was inconceiv-
tble.
Immediately when It ceased the order
" advance was given along the whole
tne and some twelve thousand veterans.
Eith alacrity and high elauOn. moved
Forward over the crests that had shell
'ered them, and passed down the slopes
bf Seminary Ridge. their bright guns
cleaning In the monday sun and their
innumerable battle-fiags flying In the
breeze. making as fine q pageant az was
ever seen on any field OF battle.
But hardly had the line reached the
downward slope OF that extensive valley
when the Federal batteries were again
nnloosed. and the carnival of death began.
The Inc % gray. a fun mile In length,
with its second line following at easy
INSTANCE. marched. indeed. in fine style
down that valley Of death.
FROM P!cketts advanced position down
we valley the clump OF trees which gave
MN direction lore far 10 the left. and
tooh reaching the ridge on which the
'uihplke ran. he wheeled to the left and
moved up towards Cohorts house. by
!his movement he presented his flank 10
Iht batteries posted on Little Round Top.
phu received severe enflading FIRE while
General s,apnard, whose division was in
~ immediate frOnt. threw out two Yer
u. NJ regiments 20 contest the ground
,'h MN. As the line advanced there
Ioomed up In the distance the works II
Was 10 assault
Immediately In front Of Archer's Br,-
yade and Picketts left lay the project
.ls stone wall standing out into the val
,ey, ana held by Webb's Brigade OF Gi5-
W. DVision; and opposite the confede-
4'e i"t was the retired wall held by
iayss Division. with sinyth's Brigade to-
Saids The cemetery and sherrilrs Br,-
Iape ~t"een that and Webb South OF
.ne proJeetion Halls and Harrow's bril-
's' e'a''naed the Federal line behind