Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06

chaplain pronounced general aDSoiution'
Then all arose and rushed into the fray
with increased ZEAL The confederates were
pushed back through the woods into the
open fields south. Brooke's brigade reaching
the furthest point attained. The 64th New
York Of this brigade took 1855 men and
nineteen officers into the fight and lost
ninety-eight, including its colonel, major.
a captain and four lieutenants. The Peach
Orchard was still held. but soon came
confederate rush that captured 1t. 1t
was three brigadeS against one, and after
a desperate resistance in which the 141st
Pennsylvania Regiment lost rs per cent OF
its men, the confederates sprang forward
and seized the position. The angle was
crushed in, not so much because the posi-
ton was tactically weak as on account OF
a lack of troops. The fighting on the south
front of the Sd Corps line had been more
than two hours in duration. Driving all
before them, the charging yell of the con-
federates rang out above the roar of battle.
The Union line at the wheat field was out
fianked A battalion of artillery followed
fast on Barksdale's charging confederates
and seventeen guns were planted on the
high ground vacated by the Union troops.
Gen. Sickles was wounded and Gen. Birney
took command. Reinforcements were push
ed forward, but they were whipped in de-
tail. The resistlesS wave Of the confeder
ates, now united, swept on across Plum
run.
The Union Line Pierced.
The sun had gone down. The
field between Cemetery Ridge and the
Emmitsburg road was a scene Of many
counter movements. While some portions
of the Union line were falling back with
broken ranks others were making counter
charges, or holding isolated positions with
an obstinate resistance. The confederate
yell was answered by defiant shouts. The
battle had become series of independent
conflicts between brigades and regiments.
Through this confused mass Wilcoxs Ala
bama brigade had forced it's way to the line
of the Union troops on Cemetery Ridge,
striking a point where 1t had been Invested
of troops through calls for reinforcements.
1t reached this point unnoticed and I'M
opposed until Hancock, who was busy
patching up his line, saw the dangerous
proximity of the epemys colors. At once
he ordered the LIST Minnesota Regiment to
attack them This regiment drove Wilcox
back. capturing the colors of the leading
regiment. But it was only after a desperate
fight and after the regiment had sustained
the heaviest loss suffered by any regiment
during the war, anu, it might be said, in
history. 1t cost dearly, but it saved the
army from a great danger.
harper's Weekly, in speaking Of this
charge, said: THE charge saved the day
but 81 per cent of the men who made the
charge were left on the field Nearly every
officer was dead or mortally wounded OF
the 262 men who made the charge 215 were
shot down by the bullets of the enemy; Al
were still in line. Extension Commits
Soner Lochren, one of the survivors, says
of it: THE annals of war contain no par
allel to this charge. In it's desperate valor
complete execution, successful result and
its sacrifice of men in proportion to the
number engaged authentic history has no
record with which it can be compared"
But another daring charge by the confed-
crates soon followed. Wright's Georgia
brigade penetrated to the battery posted in
front Of the angle in the stone wall on
Cemetery Ridge. The confederates charged
hoy
look down on the eastern side. But the
men of Hancocks I'd Corps rallied and
drove them back Wright captured and had
temporary possession of eighteen cannon
but was obliged to abandon them. Attack
ed front and flank. the Georgians faced
about and fought their way back In the
gloom OF the twilight to the Emmitsburg
road. Wright remarked the next day
when Picketts contemplated charge was
being discussed. It's not so hard as 1t
looks to get there, the thing is to stay"
Charge by Pennsylvania Reserves.
About the time that Wright was being
driven back by the Union center Crawford's
division of Pennsylvania reserves charged
down the western slope of Little Round
Top with cheers that could be heard in
the streets of Gettysburg, and drove the
confederates out of the valley of Plum run
and across into the woods around DEVILS
Den and the wheatfeld. Part of the 9Th
Corps that had arrived in the afternoon
rendered efficient service in thrusting back
the enemys lines. The confederate attack
on the left had failed. When fighting ended
for the day the Union line included the two
Round Tops and the wheatfield and a
strong picket line on the Emmitsburg road.
All the Union guns that had been captured
during the day were retaken but four.
Some OF LongStreets troops remained in
Devils Den and held the line of the EN-
mitsburg road at the Peach Orchard.
Battle on the Right.
But although fighting on the Union left
had ceased battle was raging on the
Union right The fighting was not surpass-
ed In ferceness by any that day and tho
confederates came dangerously near sue
cess. Ewell commanding Lees left, had
been ordered to attack the Union right
when he heard Longstreet's guns down in
front OF the Round Tops. Assaults were to
be made on Culp's East Cemetery and Gem
etery hills. Artillery firing preceded the at
tack. The sun had gone down when the
confederate infantry moved against Culp's
HiA The entire 18th Corps had gone over
TO assist the left, only Greenes brigade
being detailed to defend the earthworks.
But SO deadly was the fire delivered by this
brigade. formed one man deep, behind tho
extended breastworks that 1t completely
stopped the confederate advance. A con-
breastworks and occupied thsm Seven reg,
iments, numbering only about 800 men,
were sent to reinforce Greene. Tho sturdy
defense OF Culp's Hill forms one Of the most
remarkable achievements of the day. It
was after midnight when the confederates
gave up the attempt. One confederate bri-
gade held breastworks thrown up by the 10th
division and there was nothing to prevent
1t from advancing 400 yards to the Balti-
more pike, where 1t would have been In tho
rear Of the Union army. In possession of its
supply trains and reserve artillery and on
Its proper line Of retreat.
While the fighting was in progress on
Culps Hill a desperate struggle was being
'waged on East Cemetery Hill. The attack
on the Union right was to be made at three
points and simultaneous with the assault
! on the left. As matter Of fact 1t was
made much later. When the sound Of mus
kerry on cu1p's Hill was heard two Of Ear
| ly's brfgades advanced to the assault on
East Cemetery Hin. Rodes' division had
been ordered to attack at the same time the
west front OF Cemetery Hill. It was about
O'Clock when Eariy's two brigades adj,
vanced. They had only short distance TO