Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-12-03

in their hands and dislodge the Con-
federate sharp-8hooters from the rocky
den. In the meantime Longstreet,
gaining the eminence at the Peach
Orchard, charged through the Wheat
Field" to the assistance of the division
striking for Little Round Top, met the
volunteers moving in double quick to
dislodge the Confederates in Devils
Den, and a most terrific battle, at
places hand to hand, was kept up all
the afternoon in the Valley of Death.
But the Union forces still held the
heights.
While this was going on Ewell was
successful in getting inside the breast
works on Culp's Hill on the extreme
left, and in these positions the night
found both armies.
a council Of war was held. Long
street urged Lee to move, and threaten
the capital, and draw Meade from the
heights, and compel a battle on ground
they themselves could select eastward.
Lee proposed a general attack on the
confer concentrating all forces to
break Meade's line on the gently slop-
ING brow of the ridge commanded by
Gen. Hancock. Being the superior
officer his propositions prevailed. This
was his plan of action for the decisive
movement Of the battle, and possible
of the four years war-a plan which
has been so severely criticised. Gen.
Pickett, supported by Pettigrew on
his left, and Wilcox on the right, was
to make charge upon the center OF
the Union lines commanded by Double
dav and Hancock. The artillery was
to follow to his support. At the same
time the cavalry was to get in position
Immediately in rear and to attack at
same time. Ewell was to level his
guns on the enemy, and open fire sim
ultaueously from Culp's Hill The
morning of the third was spent in
preparation, Meade again awaiting
Lees action. At one o'clock in the
afternoon the signal gun from the Con-
fedefate line was heard. Immediately
100 guns belched out theiI missiles of
death. The Union artillery answered
as vigorously, and for two hours there
was the most terrific and destructive
artillery fire known in all military
history. At o'clock the Union bat
teries were silenced. Lee supposing
they were exhausted, now ordered
Pickett's charge. A few minutes
after three body of infantry, 24,OOO
strong, with guns on shoulder, swiftly
moved from the woods on Seminary
Ridge in perfect order as though on
drill, composed of the very flower
of the Confederacy, knowing no fear,
determining to break the Union center
or die. Across the open fields they
ran, perfectly exposed to the Union
guns on the heights at right and left.
These guns were at once turned on
them, ploughing furrows through the
ranks, but they filled up as fast as
made and on they come Hancock
rode down the lines of Union infantry
ordering his men to lie down, and not
to fire a musket. "Be silent, steady,
were his words. On they came until
within less than 25O yards, barn di-
yiding Pickett from Wilcox on his
right. At same time Pickett ordered
a movement slightly to the left. VIII
cox did not hear the command, and by
reason of smoke could not see the
movement, and came straight in, leay-
ing V shaped opening widening each
moment Gen. Warren saw this and
threw his men into the opening, thus
unfortunately weakening the force Of
the charge. When within few yards
of the Union lines the Union infantry
rose and opened fire on the daring
chargers. But on they came, returning
fire, ploughing through shot and shell
from so cannon, and the concentrated
fire Of the enemy. They reached the
Union breastworks. They fought
hand to hand desperately at the stone
wall. They climbed the wall. The
Union center gave way. On the
chargers pushed until they gained the
summit, and took the batteries. But
in the very moment Of victory, the
Union lines swung around enclosing
both TANKS of Pickett's men in the
coils of death. Surrounded as they
were, the men saw the hoPelessness o
attack, and at moment when th'
wind lifted the smoke Pickett saw hi
men by companies throwing aside thei
guns, and throwing up their hands IL
surrender. Pickett then ordered
retreat and but ope-third of that mag