The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-14
ERM Ut SUBSCRIPTION
WILMINGTON. n. C.
FRIDAY, APRIL IA, 1898.
MORE IMPORTANT EVIDENCE As
TO GETTYSBURG

For thirty-six years North Carollnians
have tried faithfully to obtain the
facts as to the battle of Gettysburg,
and to publish them to the country. Of
many the recent statistics furnished the
Messenger by Captain William X.
Bond, of Halifax county, is one. Inc
North Carolina confederates and others
have not desired to do injustice to any
commands in any southern state, Tor all
were engaged in the same heroic en-
deayor. to secure liberty and second In
dependence, and to drive back the great
hordes of worthless invaders. All
through the decades false impressions
have been made, and many falsenoods
have been published doing palpable and
reiterated injustice to the gallant Drl-
gades that were at Gettysburg from
North Carolina. The false reports
started in the war. Even General Lee
was unfair to our troops, and General
Long, his biographer, in more than one
place misapprehended the facts. In
reply to a letter from this writel, he
promised to make a correction II a
second edition of his large and inter
esting biography was called for.
We refer to the third day at Gettys-
burg so soon again because of a letter
that reached us on Monday, postmark-
ed Charleston, S.. c., April g." 1t
comes from a soldier who did not be-
long to either Pettigrew's or Pickett's
command. He writes, and he is clear
ly a man of education and fairness:
II am glad to see you are taking up
the claim of Pettigrew's brigade to
show us the glory of Gettysburg. Why
not go a little further. Pettigrew lead
his division. Pickett did not. Petit
grew was wounded and no member of
his staff came out of the fight without
personally or having his horse shot
under him. Neither Pickett nor any
member Of his staff nor even one of the
nurses was touched. Why? because
= discounted and on the farther side of
/. a hill that protected them from the
enemy's fire" There is in this city a
letter from a distinguished, able, schol-
arly Virginian that states that General
Pickett was not in the charge at ali.
There now. The correspondent adds:
Investigate the statement and if cor
rect, this will help to make history
somewhat truthful.
He gives excellent authority-a gal
liant citizen of Savannah, Ga, who was
In the battle and of whom we have
known for more than thirty-three
years. Let the whole truth come out
as to the splendid charge on the third
day, who participated in and who went
farthest in and close to the enemy.
In Moore's History Of North Carolina
the letters Of many participants in the
battle on the third day-men Of bravery
and honor. Among them is a letter
from the late Judge Joseph J. Davis, of
the supreme court of North Carolina,
one Of the purest and most upright Of
men. He was there. The letters are
highly Instructive.
Recently Capt. James. l. Nets, of this
city, received a map of the famous
charge on the third day prepared by a
United States engineer. 1t is the very
best map ever published perhaps of a
fight for it shows exactly what did
happen. No one with a particle of
sense and candor can examine it care
fully and fail to see all that occurred
and who did charge and who went
farthest and who encountered the
greatest difficulties. 1t is in colors and
tells the whole story without fear or
favor, but with the utmost impartiality.
You will learn that Pickett's division
went over a stone wall. BY measure
ment it is three feet high. The map
does not give this, but one of the
Gettysburg United States commission
gives it. Heth's division under Gen
,eral Pettigrew went over a high board
fence which was far more difficult to
accomplish. Pickett's men charged after
the fire from the federal artillery had
been silenced. PettigreW went IN the
face of the artillery of the enemy.
Pickett's men went a half mile. Petit
crews men nearly a mile.
The map shows that beyond the stone
wall, three feet high, and still stands,
a good many-perhaps forty or fifty
JVirginians fell. 1t shows that beyond
the high fence, perhaps three times as
many of Pettigrew's division were
found. 1t shows that scores were lying
beyond any Virginians in the direction
of the enemy. 1t shows that three
North Carolinians were lying side by
side and in advance of all others and
very nea' the federal line. That map
ought to silence ever hereafter all the
liars and to put a damper and extin-