The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-06
WHAT WE:vvANT Is THE
truth OF HISTORY
Continued from page III


at us until we reached strong post and
rail fence about three-fourths of mile
from the enemy's position, when we were
met by heavy fire of grape. canister
and she'll, which told badly upon our
ranks.
Under this destructive fire, which COM
manded our front and left with fatal
effect, the troops displayed great cool
ness, were we'll in hand and moved stead
lily forward, regularly closing up the
gaps made in their ranks. Our advance
across the field was interrupted by other
fences Of a similar character in crossing
which the alignment became more or less
deranged. This was in each case
promptly rectified, and though its ranks
were growing thinner at every step, this
division moved steadily on in line with
other troops on the right.
when within musket range, we en-
countered a heavy fire of small arms,
from which we suffered severely; but this
did not for moment check the advance.
The right OF the division, owing to the
conformation of the ridge on which the
enemy was posted, having a shorter dis
lance to pass over to reach his first
line Of defense. encountered him first in
close conflict: but the whole division
dashed up to his first line of defense, a
stone wall behind WHICH the opposing
infantry were strongly posted. Here we
we're subjected to most CALLING fire OF
musketry and artillery, that SO reduced
the already thin ranks that further effort
to carry the position was hopeless, and
there was nothing left to do but retire to
the position originally held, which was
done in more or less confusion. The
of high commentator" $
brigade, says:
s'About o'clock on the third we were
ordered to advance. There was an open
field in front about three-fourths of
mile wide. In starting off, there was
some confusion in the line, owing to the
fact that we had been ordered to close in
on the right on Pickett's division and
that command gave way to the left.
This was soon corrected and the distance
was made in perfect order. When about
half across the Intervening space, the
enemy opened on US a most destructive
fire of grape and canister and when
within about $50 or 800 yards Of the
stone wall behind which the enemy was
posted, we were met with perfect show
CT of lead from their small arms. The
brigade dashed on and many had reach
cd the wall when we were met by a vol
ley from the left The whole line on the
left had given away, and we were being
Rapidly Ranked. With our thinned ranks
and in such a position it would have been
folly to stand, against such odds. We,
therefore. fell back to our original posi-
tion. But one field officer was left in
the brigade. Regiments that went in
with colonels came out commanded by
lieutenants.''
Gen. l.. f. Trinnble SAYS
When the charge commenced, about
p. m.. followed Pettigrew's (Heths)
division, about $50 yards in the rear, a
sufficient distance to prevent adverse fire
raking both ranks as we marched down
the slope. Notwithstanding the losses as
we advanced, the men marched with de-
liberation and accuracy of men on drill
I observed the same in Pettigrews lines.
When the latter was within $50 yards
of the Emmettsburg road they seemed
of fire poured into them. We passed over
the remnant of their line, and immedi-
ately some one close by my left sung
out. Three cheers for the Old North
State when both brigadcs set UP
hearty shout. on which l said to my aid.
Charley. / believe those fine fellows are
going into the enemy's line.
Lieut.. Col. W. c. Morris saws:
Soon after we emerged from the
woods Davis brigade, in front of US, be-
came cngaSad with the enemy but being
exposed to heavy flanking FIRE, both of
infantry and artillery, was forced to fall
back. We were then ordered to double
ur.ck. Soon Pet.sgrew's and .Archer's
hrigadcs became engaged in front and
on our right. About the time Petit
crews and Archer's brigades became en-
Gagged could see our men on the extreme
right falling back. Pettigrew's and
Archer's men reached the works a little
in advance of us, and succeeded in driv-
ing the enemv from his works Immediate
~ in their front. but were exposed to a
f'anking fire both right and left. They
lay down. some in the road and some
On the crest of the hill near the stone
fence, and beckoned to us to come on.
Gen.. Trimble then ordered us to charge
the enemy's works in our front. The or
der was promptly obeyed and here Gen.
Trimble was wounded. About the time
the right Of our brigade made this charge
Gen. Lane changed directions to the left,
which caused the separation of the Sew
enth regiment and all on the right of
the colors of the Thirty seventh in the
brigade. We drove the enemy in front Of
us from his position in the road, then
from behind the stone fence and held his
position for at least half an hour. Right
here. between the road and the stone
fence 1.-THE enemy having disappeared in
our 'front.' we became engaged with
thanking party on our left and were soon
surrounded and captured. Six soldiers on
the right OF my line were wounded in the
enemy's works and captured. Among the
number was the lamented Lieut.. Battle,
whose wound proved fatal Lieut. Hor-
ton was shot through the left lung. /
WAS lieutenant colonel of the Thirty-s sew
cnth regiment. Pettigrew's and Archers
brigades remained longest on our right
Pitkett's division did not go further thar
our commend
Capt. E. +. Lowell says
II was captain of Company A, Twenty
eighth North Carolina infantry Our
regiment ga Mt llrnd a M rt nf Tho onovnv,c