The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-28
THE PICKETT DIDI>ION.
Incidents of the Charge on Cemetery
Heights.
waqua, Brunswick county, Va

Heights.
Waqua. Brunswick county, Va,
July y. 1875.
To the Editor Times:
SRA great many survivors Of the
Pickett division reside in Brunswick
county. capt Sotanis old company, tie
guard of the Fifty-eighth Regiment, was
only one Of those Brunswick county COM
panies. which participated in the Charge
on Cemetery Heights. one company,
the Ebenezcr Grays, Fifty-eighth
Regiment, was made up OF men
from this immediate vicinity, ana
any Of them survive TO recount their
experience in the rattle. Nearly all agree
as TO the main details, yet some discrep-
ancy will crop out in the accounts given
by men in he same company. This Is
due not 10 wilful mlndocity. out TO the
confusion ard excitement which, accu-
rate observation impossible, made impress
sio1s differ with different men. and lett
with each a separate image of the hor-
rors of the scene. The captain, / Will
rot give his name, has told me that after
laying In the sun under an artillery fire,
which resembef nothing he had ever
imagined possible in war, for two hours
or more the order was given to Forward.
march, and the whole division moved
with steady pace toward the hill, where
the now silent batteries seemed 10 wllt
In sullen apathy for their near approach.
Gen. Armistead was Just ahead OF his
raised aloft on the point of his sword.
Capt +. SAYS when i'm 90 yards or
the battery fronting us, the guns opened
on us with such fury as oesgars de-
scription. \ shell burst in the right OF
our company, and struck down a half
dozen men. The line became broken IN
Consequence of the tremendous fire, ana
everything seemed likely to fall into con-
fusion. Col. Steward was shouting 20 me
TO close my ranks. when he fell at eull
IN, a.. bfoh usnq1S and the column
swept over him, and rushed for the gars.
Armistead was still In front, the sword
had passed through the hat. letting II
sink down 10 the nilt, but he did not
seem 10 be wounded.
I saw him throw his hand forward and
fall on his face. A Yankee who was near
| ordered 10 our rear. pointing my pistol
az him. He ordered me 10 drop my arms
in his turn. | looked around and sac
that we were fairly trapped-hemmed In
by over-powering numbers.
Heths men we're scampering In every
direction. and surrender was the only
course available.
He SAYS when the surrender was made
the confusion In the Federal army was
scarcely less than I'm ours. Their wagons
were leaving the field in every direction
at headlOng speed, and on his way 10 the
rear. he passed Gen. Meade. who was
swearing like mameluke at the officers
Of his staff. while all was disorder around
him
A Lieutenant OF this company says:
I'VE marched through shells and musket
balls 10 the stone wall, and | remember
the appearance OF one of the cannon IN
whose mouth the ball was stuck, but
from the hasty exit OF its gunners, not
rammed down. When | saw the com
mand flying on every side. | fled WIFI
the rest and passed our first lieutenant
VIM Blick. a brother Of the present SUI
perntendent OF Public instruction Of
Brunswick county. lying bleeding on
the ground. He asked me not 10 leave
him. and with a comrade | raised him 10
his feet and he placed his arms around
my shoulders. but died before we bore
him fifty yards. We left the body. and
was struck by a fragment OF shell and
BADLY wounded before | made many more
PAGES The retreat was full as danger
Gus as the charge. for the fire on it's fugi-
tivos was constant. and the field was
thickly strewed with the dead"
Sergeant b.. OF this company. says II
was sergeant OF the ambulance CORPS
and the long rest under fire. had been
attended with so many casualties that al
Of my force we're at the rear. except my
self and a single man. when the order
10 charge was given. l called Col. Stew
ards attention 10 the fact just as we
were advancing. He said there was no
help for IL: do the best you can When
we were n EAR the hill. and the hla,
thraated cannon opened streams OF death
into our midst my assistant was ono O'
the first 10 fall. and a few Sc 'onds later
Col s. fell also. I rushed 10 him. but hf
shouted 10 me TO follow the company.
had not made a dozen steps. however
before he called me back: he was sh)
through the body. and bic ling freely
IS we lay in the We eds. l raised mp and
looked around. You'll be shot If YOU
lift Your read up: lie down he ordefed
At last, / saw the division OF He'll
break W, and the advance or n column
of Federals which threatened cut on onl
retreat | took ~ the Colonel. who coulf
scarcely walk. Some Of our regiment
overlook ne on the retreat and We 90
him safely back. but his wound was NOR
tai " There are many who shared tn'
dangers # the charge: who say they car
recall the awful carnage with perfec
yividness. az this dav.
The one event which seems - mos
deeply inlDrcsc one is the rememferoS
sight Of Cen Pickett on the retreat
mounted on his horse. making very goof
time Il wonder every time 7 think o.
II. how horse or rider ever lived 10 ge
away from the hill. I'm the face OF fr'
which actually swept the blades OF gras
away i'm places" All unite IN the asser
ton that the men last were the very mrs
in the service that the division WIS z
Virrinia what the phalanX was 70 Mace
doria "the flower OF her youth, AM
tho bravest OF her sons" And was move
afterwards either IN morals or material
the same.
IL Is 10 be regretted thar some ono VIII
can 10 the subject full justice does no
write n history Of Pickctt's Division. H.
was one OF the men whom the State o
Virginia should pot Willingly neglect
The cause he fotth, for IS dead. the Is
sues which made IL exist have passe'
away. but the fame Of that galian
charge Will live when Marengo will hav
been forgotten. ,.