The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-07-07
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BY SIR ARTHUR JAMES LYON-FREMANTLE,
&c G. c. B.. Lieutoaant-Ge British Army.

| III LonCStreet'S conduct was admirable,
that of Gen. Lee was perfectly sublime.
He was engaged in rallying and IN en-
| couraGing the broken troops, and was rid
ing about a little in front OF the wood,
quite alone-the whole OF his staff being
engaged in n similar manner further TO
the rear. His face, which is always
placid and cheerful. did not show signs
OF the slightest disappointment, care OF
annoyance; and he was addressing to
every soldier he met few words OF en-
couragement, such as, "All this will come
right in the end Well talk it over after
wards; but in the meantime, all good men
must rally. We want all good and true
men Just now" etc. He spoke to all the
wounded men that passed him, and the
slightly wounded he exhOrted ito bind up
their hurts and take up a musket' an
this emergency. Very few failed TO an
swer his appeal, and l saw many badly
wounded men take off their hats and cheer
him. He said to me, This has been
sad day for us, Colonel-a sad day; but
we can't expect always to gain victories"
He was also kind enough to advise me to
get into some more sheltered position, as
the shells were bursting round us with
considerable frequency.
Notwithstanding the misfortune which
had so suddenly befallen him, Gen. Lee
seemed to observe everything, however
trivial. When a mounted officer began
licking his horse for shying at the burst
ing OF a shell, he called out, Don't whip
him, Captain; don't whip him. Pve got
just such another foolish horse myself,
and whipping does no good"
l happened to see a man lying fiat on
his face in a small ditch, and remarked
that l didn't think he seemed dead. This
drew Gen. Lees attention to the man,
who commenced groaning diSmally. Find
ing appeals to his patriotism OF no avail,
Gen. Lee had him ANONYMOUSLY set on
his legs by some neighbOring gunners.
/ saw Gen. Wilcox Gan officer who wears
short round Jacket and a battered straw
hat come up to him, and explain, almost
crying. the state of his brigade. Gen. Lee
Immediately shook hands with him and
said cheerfuIly, "Never mind, General;
all this has been my fault-it is | that
have lost this fight, and you must help
me out of it in the best way you cam
In this manner | saw Gen. Lee encour-
age and reanimate his somewhat dis
| pirited troops, and magnanimously take
upon his own shoulders the whole weight
of the repulse. 1t was impossible to look
| at him or to listen to him without feeling
| the strongest admiration, and | never saw
any man fail him except the man in the
ditch.
It is difficult to exaggerate the critical
state Of affairs as they appeared about
| this time. IL the enemy or their General
| had shown any enterprise, there is no
saying what might have happened. Gen.
Lee and his officers were evidently nIliy
| impressed with sense of the Situation;
yet there was much less noise, fuss, or
confusion of orders than at an ordinary
field day; the men, as they were rallied in
the wood, were brought up in detach-
ments, and lay down quietly and coolly
in the positions assigned to them.
| We heard that Gems. Garnett and Ami
stead were killed, and Gen. Kemper NOR
tally wounded; also, that Pickett's Di-
vision had only one field officer unhurt.
| Nearly all this slaughter took place in an
open space about one mile square, and
within one hour.
!, At p. N. we heard a long and con-
tinuous Yankee cheer, which we at first
imagined was an Indication of an advance,
but it turned out to be their reception of a
general officer, whom we saw riding down
the line, followed by about 80 horsemen.
Soon afterwards | rode to the extreme
front, where there were four pieces of
riled cannon almost without any infantry
support. To the non-withdrawal of these
guns is to be attributed the otherwise
surprising inactivity of the enemy.
was Immediately surrounded by a
Sergeant and about half-a-dozen gunners,
who seemed in excellent spirits and full of
confidence in spite of their exposed stu
alton. The Sergeant expressed his ardent
hope that the Yankees might have spirit
enough to advance and receive the dose
he had in readiness for them. They
spoke in admiration of the advance of
Pickett's Division and OF the manner in
which Pickett himself had led it. When
they observed Gen. Lee they said:
We've not lost confidence in the old
man; this days work won't do him no
harm. Uncle Robert will get us into
Washington yet; you bet he willp'
Whilst we were talking, the enemy's
slirmisherS began TO advance slowly, and
several omlnous sounds in quick sue
ceSsion told us that we were attracting
their attention, and that it was necessary
to break up the cOnclave. | therefore
turned around and took leave of these
CHEEKY and plucky gunners.
AT p. M, Gen. Lee received a report
that JOhnSOn'S Division of EwelPS Corps
had been successful on the left, and had
gained important advantages there. Fir
ing entirely ceased in our front about this
time; but we now heard some brisk mus
kerry on our right, which | afterwards
learned proceeded from Hoods Texans,
who had managed to surround some enter
prising Yankee cavalry, and were slaugh-
terlng them with great satisfaction. Only
Is out Of 400 are said to have escaped
At 730, all idea of Yankee attack
being over / rode back to MoseS's tent
and found that worthy Commissary in
very low spirits, all sorts of exaggerated
rumorS having reached him. On my way
| met great many wounded men, most
anxious to inquire after Longstreet, who
was reported killed. When assured them
he was quite well, they seemed to forget
their own pain in the evident pleasure
they felt in the safety of their chief.
got something to eat with the doctors
at 10 p. M, the first for Is hours. l gave
up my horse to-day to his owner, as from
death and exhaustion the staff are almost
without horses.
IN he