The National tribune., 1901-10-24

tnat L COulu see Dut httlc VI what NoS
going on before me. A moment later L
heard Gen. Pettigrew calling to rally
them on the left referring to brigade
which had just given way). All Of the
five regimental colors Of my command
reached the line of the enemy's works,
and many of my officers and men were
killed after passing over it." Col. Shop
herd, who succeeded Col. Frye in COM
mand, said in his official report that every
flag in Archer's Brigade, except one, was
captured at or within the works of the
enemy. This brigade and Pettigrew' 8
were awarded the honor of serving as a
rear-guard when the army recrossed the
river.
HoKE's BRIGADE.
Two of Gen. Early's Brigades made a
very brilliant charge on the second day;
but being unsupported were forced to fall
back. They were Hokes North Carolina,
commanded by Col. Avery, who was
killed, and Hayes's Louisiana. They did
equally well in every respect, yet one is
always praised, the other rarely men
toned. Hoke's Brigade consisted of the
9th, 21st, 54th and 57th, first commanded
by Hoke, after his promotion by Goodwin,
who was killed in the Valley, and then
by CASTOR Lewis.
The 54th was on detached duty and
did not take part in this battle. Mr..
Vanderslice, in his fine description OF this
affair, does full justice to our North Caro-
lima boys, and closes by saying: ut will
be noted that while this assault is called
that of the Louisiana Tigers the three
North Carolina regiments lost more men
than the FIVE Louisiana regiments"
From a book recently published, en-
titled pickett and His Men," the fol
lowing paragraph is taken: 'Pettigrew
was trying to reach the post Of death
and honor, but he was far away and
valor could not annihilate space. His
troops had suffered cruelty in the battle
Of the day before and their commander
had been wounded. They were now led
by an officer ardent and brave, but to
them unknown"
Col. Carswell Mcclellan, who was an
officer of Gen. Humphreys staff, compar-
ing the assault made by this General at
Fredericksburg with that which is known
as Pickett's, says: 'As the bugle sound
ed the charge Gen. Humphreys turned
to his staff, and bowling with uncovered
head, remarked as quietly and pleasantly
as if inviting them to be seated around
his table, Gentlemen, l shall lead this
charge. | presume, of course, you will
wish to ride with me-" Now, compare
that to Pickett, who was not within a
mile of his column when they charged at
Pickett's Division there. OF this grand
assault Of Humphreys l can do no better
than quote Gen. Hooker's report: "This
attack was made with a spirit and de-
termination seldom, if ever, equalled in
war. Seven of Gen. Humphreys staff
officers started with the charge; five were
dismounted before reaching the line
where Gen. COUGHS troops were lying,
and four were wounded before the as
Sault ceased"
Pickett at Gettysburg at the head Of
his division, rode over the crest of Sem
mary Ridge and began his descent down
the slope. AS he passed me-" writes
Longstreet, ''he rode gracefully, with his
jaunty cap racked well over his right
ear and his long auburn locks, nicely
dressed, hanging almost to his shoulders.
He seemed holiday soldier" Echo re-
peats the words: A holiday soldier! A
holiday soldier!
Even Gen. Lee was unfair to our
troops, and Gen. Long, his biographer,
in more than one place Inexperienced
writer he promised to make a correction
if a second edition of his large and in
teresting 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 postmarked
charleston. S. c., April o." 1t comes
from soldier who did not belong to
either Pettigrew's or Pickett's command.
He writes, and he is clearly a man of
and fairness:
Il am glad to see you are taking up
the claim of Pettigrew's Brigade to share
in the glory CT Gettysburg. Why not go
a little further? Pettigrew led his divi-
sion. Pickett did not. Pettigrew was
wounded, and no member of his staff
came out of the fight without being
wounded or having his horse shot under
him. Neither Pickett nor any member
Of his staff nor even one of the horses
was touched. Why? Because dismount-
ed and on the farther side of a hill that
protected them from the enemy's fire."
There is in this city letter from n dis
tingnished, able. scholarly Virginian that
states that Gen. Pickett was not in
charge at all. There, nowi The cor
adds: Investigate the state
ment, and, if correct, this will help to
make history somewhat truthful He
gives excellent authority gallant citi-
zen Of Savannah, Ga, who was in the
battle and of whom we have known for
more than 33 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
Messenger
CTO be continued