The Canton times., 1902-05-09

Has there was many paltio VI
among the old vets who from various
states had gathered round the camp
fires once again.
"A theme of prime interest IN MIS-
sory interested the men in many
biyouac. This was the settlement OF
she question as to which troops went
highest up Cemetery Heights at the
famous charge at Gettysburg.
Had we space we would entertain
our readers with a colloquy between
representatives from several states,
70 which the Dallas Times-Heralu
gave several columns. The subJect Is
of such interest that we quote tew
of the arguments made at this special
bivouac, regretting our inability 10
give all;
what State do you think won most
glory at Gettysburg asked Virginia.
"Why, North Carohna, OF course
replied the cool "Tarheel."
"What. sir!" said an old man, whose
voice and hand trembled as he spoke
.sdo YOU mean to tell these old sol
diers that the 'Tarheel State can touch
the glorious record made by Pickett
and his gallant Virginians at Gettys-
burg, where today stands the monu-
ment to Armistead, showing that ne
and they went higher up Cemetery
Heights than the troops of any other
command"
s'Well. there is no use getting ex-
cited" said North Carolina. Il SIM
ply appeal to the record. All soldiers
know that the true test of pluck ana
staying qualities in battle is shown
by the number of dead and wounded.
The so-called rebellion records show
that the brigade losses at Gettysburg
were as follows: First, PettigreWs
North Carolinians; second, Davis Mis-
sissippians; third, Daniels North
Carolinians; fourth, Barksdale's Mis-
sisslppians."
Here the Mississippian broke in
with:
"And want to say that heard
Col. John M. Stone of Mississippi say
that he watched the so-called 'Picketts
charge from the wheat field and that
Pettigpew did as we'll as anybody else,
and that the Mississippians and North
Carolinians went further up the
Heights and stayed there longer than
the Virginians and this impartial his
tory will recite."
Here Alabama broke in with:
Gentlemen, | have been quiet lis
tener to your debate till now, but
can remain quiet no longer. l under
stand Col. Oates of Alabama obtained
from Gen. Wilcox of that State in
dubitable evidence that the troops OF
nay State went higher up Cemetery
Heights than those of any other
State. and when we meet again, II
ever. this l will be prepared to show.
1t was to Wilcox Gen. Lee made his
famous saying, 1T was all my fault,
General"
By this time the Virginian was
trembling with rage and, trying in
vain to speak, he got up and left,
when North Carolina broke in with:
"All very we'll, gentlemen, but
stand by the record as to Gettysburg
and l will go further. You know II
was at Fort Gregg when North Caro-
linians covered themselves with such
glory
Now, that won't do" said Missis'
sippi, "for while there were North
Carolinians there, the only troops in
organization within the fort were Mis-
sissippians, and for this l have the
word of Gen. Nat Harris, who ordered
them there, $50 of them, while with
the rest of his brigade he occupied
Fort Whitworth. There were only 25C
Confederates, all told in Gregg, ant
some of them were from Louisiana
and you can't claim all the glory fol
North Carolina. Lieut.-Col. Harris o.
the Nineteenth Mississippi was in com
mand."
Cant help that, my friend. Gen
Lane of North Carolina made his re
port of that most brilliant piece o
work during the war, and it is in tn
records, whereas what Gen. Nat Har
ris had to say about it was long sub
sequent."
The troops that went highest Vi
Cemetery Heights in that famou
charge at Gettysburg, as shown b,
their dead, belonged to Davis brigade
composed of the Second. Fourth ant
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