The National tribune., 1903-11-12

fact, which was unknown to me when the
assault took place, the enemy was enabled
to throw strong force Of infantry against
our left, already wayering under a con-
centrated fire of artillery from the ridge
in front antb fpm Cemetery Hill on the
left. 1t finally gave way, and the right.
after penetrating the enemy's lines, enter
ing his advance works and capturing some
of his artillery. was attacked simultnne-
ously in front and on both flanks, and driv-
en- with heavy loss
POSITION OF DIVISION.
ave have only to remember that Petit
Crews Division was on the left and Pick
ett's on the right to understand clearly
what Gen. Lee, says. We next quote
from Gen. Longstreet's report, who was
standing nenr Lee, and saw the whole
movement. Hesays:
1.-The advance was made in very hand
some style, all the troops keeping their
lines accurately, and taking the fire of the
batteries with coolness and deliberation.
About halfway between our position and
that OF the enemy Il ravine partially shell
tered our troops from the enemy's lire,
where short halt was made for rest.
The advance was resumed after a mo-
ment's pause, all still in good order. The
enemy's batteries soon opened on our lines
with canister, and the left seemed to stag
ger under it. but the advance was resumed
and with the same degree of steadiness.
Pickctt's troops did not appear to be
checked by the batteries, and only halted
to deliver a fire when close under musket
range. Maj.-Gen. Anderson's Division
was ordered forward to support and assist
the wavering columns of Fettigrew 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 be-
fore hesitated broke their ranks, and fell
back i'll great disorder many more falling
under the enemy's fire in retiring than
while they were attacking. This gave the
enemy time to throw his entire force upon
Pickett, with strong prospect of being
able to break up his lines or destroy him
before Anderson's Division could reach
him. Vhich would in its turn have greatly
cXpostll Anderson. He was, therefore, or
dered to halt. In few moments the
enemy marching against both flanks and
the front of Pickett's Division OverpOwer-
ed and drove it back, capturing about half
of those Of it who were not killed or
wounded
COMMENT UNNECESSARY.
"Surely comment here is unnecessary,
and no one who has read IOngstreets
book will accuse him of partiallity to Vir-
ginians.
I'VE next quote from the report of that
gallant soldier and splendid gentleman,
Gen. James II. Lane, who was at first in
command Of Pender's Division, but hav-
ing been relieved of that by Gen. Trmble,
then commanded his own North Carolina
brigade. He says:
Gen. LOngstreet ordered me to form
in the rear Of the right of He:h's Divi-
sion, commanded by Gen. Pettisrew; soon
after / had executed this order, putting
Lowrance commanding Scales's Brigade,
on the right, | was relieved of the COM
mand of the division by Gen. Trimbie.
who acted under the same orders that |
received. Heths Division was much
larger than Lowrance's brigade and my
own, which was its only support, and
there was consequently no second line in
rear of its left. Now in command of my
own brigade, moved forward to the sup
port of Pettigrew's right, through the
woods in which our batteries were planted,
and through an open field about mile i'll
full view Of the -enemy's fortified position,
and under n murderOus artillery and in
fantry fire. As soon as Pettigrew's COM
mgnd, gave back (ours) Lowrance's Bri-
grade and my own, without ever having
halted, took position on the left of the
troops. which were still contesting the
ground with the enemy. My command
never moved forward more handsomely
The men reserved their fire, in accordance
with orders, until within good range of
the enemy, and then opened with telling
effect repeatedly driving rhe.canDoneers
from their places, completely silencing the
guns in our immediate front ard breaking
the line of infantry which was formed
on tine crest Of the hill. We advanced
to within n few yards of the stone wall,
exposed all the while to n raking artil-
lery fire from the right. My left was
here much exposed, and n column of the
enemy's infantry was thrown forward
from that direction, which enfiladed my
whole line. This forced me to withdraw
my brigade, the troops on my right hav-
ing already done So
THE POINT AT ISSUE.
1.-THE troops directly on Lanes right
were those of Lowrance. But if he refers
to Picketts too, then he does not pretend
that his own men entered the enemy S
works, rs Pickett's did, which, as We shall
see, is the real point at issue.
Scarcely more striking illustration of
the frailty of human memory or the COM
parative worthlessness of the post belum
statements, relied on entirely, it would
seem. by the advocates of North Caro-
lina's claim, can be found than by con
trasting Gen. Lanes report with what is
said by Capt. Louis G. Young nov of
Savannah, Ga, gallant and gifted Con-
federate who was in charge as an Aid
Oh Gen. Pettigrew's staff, in an address
recently delivered by him on Gettysburg,
copy of which he has kindly furnished
US. Capt: Young says:
Cen. Trimble and his brigade (divi-
sion) were not and had not been in sup
porting distance; they also must have been
delayed, as was Davis's Brigade, in the
woods on Seminary Ridge. Be this as
it may, they We're too late to give any as,
sistance to the assaulting column. When
l delivered my message, l knew it was
too late, and recall my sad reflection
what pity that these brave men should
be sacrificed" Already had the remnant
of Pirkett's and Heth's Division broken
They broke simultaneously. They had to
gether struck the stone fence, driven back
the enemy posted behind it, looked down
on the multitude beyond, and, in the words
of Gen. McLaws. who was watching the
attack, ''rebounded like an india-rubber
ball." The lOdgment effected was only for
an instant. Not 20 minutes elapsed, as
claimed by some, before the handful oi
braves was driven back by overwhelming
numbers. Then Trimble's command should
have been ordered to the rear 1t con
tinued its useless advance alone, only Il
return before it had gone as far as We
had
STATEMENT AT VARIANCE.
ut will be seen that this statement il
(unintentionally. we know not only at
variance with the report of Gen. Lane
but also with those of Gems. Lee ant
LOngstreet, both of whom confirm Gen
Lane in the statement that Pettigrew's
men gave way before those Of Pickett
did.
"But let uv quote again from the ofIicia
reports, and this time from that of Col
LoMrance, Hilo.n it will be rememherGd