The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-11-04
REPLY TO
CHRISTIAN !! !. N.
Captain S, A. Ashc Answers the
History Com
mittee.
:, --------------
Ii 0ssEs AT GETTYSBURG
y o.ss5Es. AT GETTYSBURG
sKilled and Wounded Of Virginia
and North Carolina Regi-
ncnts Compared.

IN AiSAkS SAs
q tysa .-.-----,---
At the request Of the News and OBJ
wrote the following reply to Judge Chris
/ tlan's report:
To the E,ditor,-I have your favor ask
I Ing me for some comments on the pub
llshed report OF Judge Christian, chair
man Of the History COMMITTEES OF the
Grand Camp Of Virginia Confederate Vet
. Grams, and necessarily can at the mo-
ment write only currente calamo. Judge
Christians paper, when published in full.
will doubtless receive careful considcra-
ton from some moro competent North
Earolinian. i
I would premise by saying that the
feelings Of North Carolinians toward yir-,
Einia are necessarily very different from
those OF Virginlans towards North Caro-
lima. The illustrious men OF Virginia
Washington, Jefferson. Madison, Monroe
land the great host OF other distin-
guished characters produced by that
State. have given a glory to the whole
Southland, and North Carollnians meas
urably rejoice with pride In their high
fame and entertain proper sentiments to-
wards Virginia on that account.
And again, for four years, our soldiers
TO tho average number OF, say, forty or
fifty thousand-nnore thsn a hundred
thousand In nll-liSed In the fields. in the
valleys, and in tho trenches in Virginia,
end these, along with their associates
fror, Virginia and other states. under
went all the hardshlps OF our arduous
struggle.
They became familiar with Virginia. as
the scene OF their great and glorious ex-
ploits Their blood ensanguined her soil.
The mouldering remains of their fathers
and brothers sanctlfy her hallowed
ground. They were led to glory by Leo
and Jackson, vlrglnia's honored sons
Because Of such associations, North
Caroline feels differently towards Vir-
Elnta from what Virginia can possibly
feel towards North Carolina.
It was natural that at some proper
time the war record OF North Carolina
should have been made clear and her
sacrifices In the cause OF Southern inde-
pendence have been spread out at large,
and Whatever was glorious In the career
OF her sons be indelibly engraved on the
tablets for the benefit OF our posterity.
Patriotic North Carolinians have at
tempted to do this. We have published
our claims ana have appealed to the
records to Justify them. In performing
tract from Virginia. Judge Christian
mentio (No. - that there has been a
suggestion that the effects OF the fight
Ing az Bethel was the possibility hold
Ing Virginia In the Confederacy." do
not remember to have aver heard OF such
4 suggestion. It certainly has cut no
great hCure In North Carolina publica-
lions. Z. ~ 74
more than l25ooo troops to the confed-
eracyj II remains to be seen how Judge
Christian arrives at his conclusion that
yirxin!a furnished $4,000 more than that
number.
So, also. 1t remains to be seen how
Judge Christian reaches the conclusion
stated as to the exempted men.
Tho legend inscribed on our volumes Of
.Sorth Carolina Regiments" has seemed
TO us entirely justifled: First at Bethel:
Chickamauga, and last at Appomattox.
Virginia troops were at Bethel; yes.
But II 80 happened that the brunt OF
that first clash Of arms on Virginia soil
fell TO the lot OF North CaroliniansI and
the only life sacrificed on tho altar Of our
sacred cause was that 81 a North Caro-
lima soldier. Wyatt was the first vic
tim OF the war for Independence.
And so Il likewise happened that the
last clash OF arms at Appomattox was.
as we understand 1t, between North
I caTollnians and the. common enemy.
judge Christian says that the claim here
preferred IL also claimed by several other
/, Southern states. Very we'll. But do
not understand him TO make any claim
for Virginia In that matter.
4 IL regard TO Chickatnauga, the record,
we think, Is clear; but neither does that
interest Virginia.
The chief point Of difference between
North Carolina and virginia Is In regard
Is the charge at Gettysburg. Some fie-
/ teen years ago. after a very careful study
OF that charge. In all Its details, wrote:
ut was. Indeed, a field Of honor as we'll
as q field Of blood, and the sister States
q Virginia and North Carolina had eaua!
cause to weave chaplets of laurel and OF
cypress. On their sons the heaviest blows
fell, and TO them Is due the need of
highest praise. Archers brave men
doubtless suffered heavily, but the chief
loss was borne BY the three North Caro-
lifa and the three Virginia brlgades that
participated In the assault upon the
works sIlS ,s..a. !, a., ,.,t.u : :, :. !. i
/ been in no other conflict; while the for
mer. having suffered heavily on the first
! day and having lost most Of their regi-
mental and company officers, made at the
timd no special return OF the loss In this
now celebrated charge. 49,.
Lame carried In i,so0 and lost go, near
Is ali killed and wounded Pettlgrew's
brigade was about 100 strong and lost
100, the greatsr. part killed and wound,
I'd: Scales Brigade suffered In the like
proportion. These three brigades doubt.
less lost In Killed and wounded 1.5ot
men.
1.-THE three Virginia brigades lost 22
Killed. And iii&o wounded. d total 81 1884