The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-30
TUESDAY. JANUARY 80. 1900.
PICKETY"S CHARGE.

Mr.. A. S. Lanier's letter, published in
Sundays Times. in which he takes eX-
ception. as a North Carolinian, to our
speaking of the Pickett charge at the
third day at Gettysburg as Virginia
achievement. makes 1t In order that the
facts OF that matter as they appear IN
the records should be stated 17eth s
division, consisting of Pettigrew,s North
Carolina brigade. Archer's Tennessee and
Alabama bligades,. Davis Mississippi
brigade and Brockenbrough's Virginia
brigade. bore the brunt of the first day $
battle Of Gettysburg. They made
glorious fight and lost 200 men. killed
and wounded out of $500 in all. in TWEEN
ty-iiye minutes. The division was dread
fully cut up. therefore. and ought not
to have been assigned TO the terrible
task of the third day.
The Pickett charge on the third day
was under the direction Of General Long
street. He made the following forma-
tons: Kemper's brigade OF Picketts
division formed the right of the charging
line. prolonged by Garnett's brigade of
the same division. Armistead's brigade
of that division formed directly in rear
OF these two as a support for them, and
wi,cox's brigade was held in reserve as
an ultimate support for them. Heth was
wounded on the first day. and his divis-
ion was commanded on the third day by
Pettigrew, the ranking brigadier. This
division was to prolong the charging
loft m towards
gettysburg 1t was formed with Archers
brigade next TO Garrett Pcttgrew's next
to that. Davis next to that and Brocken-
broughs next to that. with Lanes bri-
sade and Scales brigade of Pendcrs
division. under command of General
Trimb1e, as a support in rear. We will
let General Longstreet Tell the rest of
The story. We quote from his official
report of the battle as follows:
"lleth's division. under the Command of
Rrigadier-General Pettigrew. was ar
ranged in two lines. and there supported
by part of Major-General Penders
division, under Maior-General Trim
BILE. Upon riding over to Colonel
Alexanders position found that he had
advised General Pickett that the time
had arrived for the attack. and gave
The order TO General Pickett to advance
to the assault. ] found then that our
supply of ammunition was SO short that
the batteries could not reopen. The or
der for this attack. which 1 could not
favor under better auspices. would have
been revoked had felt that l had that
privilege. Tho advance was made in
very handsome style. all the troops keep
ing their lines accurately. and taking the
fire of the batteries with great coolness
and deliberation. About half way be-
tween our position and that of the enemy
narine partially sheltered our troops
from the enemNs fire, when short halt
was made for i rest. The advance was
resumed after a moments pause, all st!ll
in good order. The enemys batteries
soon opened upon our lines with canister,
and the left seemed to stasser under il,
but the advance was resumed, and with
GONE degree Of steadiness. Pickett'S
troops did not appear TO be checked by
the batteries. and only halted to deliver
a fire when close under mpskct range.
Major-Generai Anderson's division was
ordered forward to support and assist
the waperIns columns OF Fettisrew and
Trimble. Pickett's troops. after deliver
ing fire. advanced to the charge, and en-
tered the enemy.s lines. capturing some
OF his batteries. and gained his works.
About the same moment the troops that
had before hcsitated broke their ranks
and fell back in great disorder. many
moro falling under the enemys fire in
retiring than while they We're attacking.
This gave the enemy time 10 throw his
entire force upon Pickett, with a strong
prospect of being able TO break up his
lines or destroy him before Andersen's
division could reach him. which would,
In It's turn have greatly exposed Ander-
son. IIe was. therefore, ordered TO halt,
In 4 fox anaenents the enemy. marching
sa,pon both tanks and The front Of Pick
ett.s division. overpowered It and drove
4 II hack. capturing about half Of those