The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1897-09-09
AT GETTYSBURG.
NORTH CAROLINA TROOPS

NVRx6 cA6UA4NA 10OV60
What They did and How They Have
Been Deprived Of Just Praise.
". r. Bond in Wilmington Messenger.
write you letter, as / wish to tell
you about certain conversations l late
ly had with an old confederate Of
ficer OF high rank, and one who, after
the war, was on intimate terms with
General Lee. It will contain copy OF
q letter received by me some two
months ago from a member OF General
Lees staff, and also some other things.
which 1 think will interest your old
soldier readers. All others can pass 1t
BY, for 1t will relate to "Ancient Histo-
ry," and for them it is not intended.
In one of the conversations referred to
mention was made of the letters of
General Cobb (who was killed at Fred
er,cksburg), which have lately been
published. In one of these letters Gen
eral Cobb says that Mr.. Davis and Cen
eral Lee thought there was only one
state in the confederacy, and that was
Virginia. In referring to it, I remark
ed that, allowing a little for exaggera-
ton, did not think he was very far
wrong that I supposed it was much
the same in the other states, and that l
knew of the persistent injustice, and
sometimes even cruelty with which
North Carolina and her troops were
treated. He at once came to the de-
fonce of General Lee, and said he knew
positively that he was not responsible
for much OF the injustice OF which l
complained. That in the matter of ap-
pointing end promoting officers Gener-
al Lee often had very little influence.
For instance, after Jackson's death,
when the army was reorganized and
the two corps made into three, he was
bitterly opposed to have A. P. Hill and
EweIl for corps commanders. He WISH
ed to have Rodes-an Alabamian-to
command one OF them, and also wished
to give division to Pettigrew, and he
always said if his divisions and corps
had been commanded at Gettysburg
by officers of his choice he would have
gained that battle. But, said General
-, as the secretary of war was Vir-
ginian, and the influence of Virginia
politicians was so all powerful, both in
the executive mansion and the halls Of
our congress, his wishes we're not con-
sidered. Though a Vlrginian, he
spoke at length of this baneful inf1u-
ence, which festered for four years in
Richmond. And just here it may be
remarked that probably the most hui
initiating thing connected with our
struggle for independence-more hui
initiating, even than defeat-was the
fact that North and South Carolinians
and other free born men should have
allowed themselves to be dominated by
a public opinion, which was made by
a gang of narrow and selfish bomb
proof hunters. On one occasion told
Gen. about the letter I had re-
ceived from Colonel Venable, and how
he happened to write it. That had
heard of reports as to General Pickett,
while the assault was being made,
which reflected upon his courage, and
was disposed to doubt them, as I had
always heard that he had acted very
bravely in his vain attempt to rally his
division when routed at Five Forks. I
do not think / succeeded In convinc-
ing him of this, for I think he believes
vet that General Pickett never went
near his troops on the day of their last
battle.
Wishing to know 1t there were any
grounds for these reports, I wrote to
Colonel Venable, asking him how far
into the field General Pickett advanced
with his division, and how near he was
to it when it was repulsed, and the fol-
lowing is his answer:
Remington, Fauquier Co., Va.
"Dear Sir-It has been settled by Of
fcers OF the United States army, that
both Pettigrew's and Pickett's men
went to high water mark-that is,
equally ia. In the charge at Gettysburg.
The federal government has caused
marks to be placed at different points
on the field with great care.
1.-THE charge should even be called
the charge OF Pettlgrew's and Pickett's
men. "Yours respectfully,
CHAs. 8. VENABLE.
General Pettigrew was every inch a
soldier and a very great loss to the
grand old army of northern Virginia.
&c. s. ""
It will be seen that no attention is
paid to my question, as there Is no
connection between it and the intend
ed answer. This may signify some