The National tribune., 1903-11-12

A. Englehard. Assistant Adjutant-Gen-
eral of Pender's Division, then command
ed by Trimble, is to the same effect, as
those of Gen. Lane and Col. Lowrance,
and for that rea son we do not quote what
he says. That of Col. Shepard, of Archer s
Brigade, says, after describing the charge,
and saying our lines, both right and left,
gave way:
".Archer's Brigade remained at the
works fighting as long as any other troops
either on their right or left, SD far as
could observe. Every flag in the bri-
gade. excepting one, was captured at or
within the works of the enemy
ONLY OFFICIAL STATEMENT.
"Ths is the only official statement we
have found which claimed that any other
troops, than those of Pickett entered the
enemy's works. But since Archer's Bri-
gade, who. Gen. Heth says, were the
heroes of Chancellorsville, was composed
| entirely of Tennesseeans and Alabamians,
we hardly think our North Carolina
friends can mean their claim to be mis-
taken for what this brigade did.
''The report of Maj. j. Jones, OF the
26th n. c., who commanded Pettigrew'
Brigade after Col. Marshall, was wound
ed, says:
"'When within about $50 or
300 yards of the stone wall behind which
/
a perfect hailstOrm of lead from theiI
| small-arms. The brigade dashed on, and
many had reached the wall, when we re-
ceived deadly volley from the left. The
whole line on the left had given away
and we were being rapidly fianked. With
our thinned ranks and in such position
it would have been folly to stand and
against such odds. We, therefore, fell
back to our original position in rear Of the
batteries
1T will be seen that this officer does
not claim that any OF his men entered the
works, or that the troops on his right
! Pickett's and Archer'sl gave way first
but those on his left, the other two bri-
gades of Pettigrew's Division. The re-
throw no light on the question, and we
have been unable to find any report from
Gen. Pickett, or from any officer of his
division, except that of Maj. Charles S.
Peyton, of Garnett's Brigade, which
would throw any light, on this question
Maj. Peyton says this:
IN LAUDABLE RIVALRY.
"'Our line, much shattered, still kept
up the advance until within about &c
PAGES of the wall, when, for q moment, il
recoiled under the terrific fire that poured
| into our ranks both from their batteries
and from their sheltered infantry. AT
the right and Gen. Armistead in rear,
when the three lines, joining in concert,
| rushed forward with unyielding determi-
| nation and an apparent spirit of laudable
rivalry to plant the Southern banner on
the walls of the enemy. His strongest
and last line was instantly gained; the
| Confederate battle-flag waved over his de-
fenses. and the fighting over the wall be-
came hand-to-hand, and of the most des-
To oh of hnt mi hn hnl "a
ing already fallen, our line was found too
weak to rout the enemy. We hoped for
n support on the left, which had started
simultaneously with ourselves, but hoped
in vain. Yet a small remnant remained
in desperate struggle, receiving fire III
front, on the right, and on the left. many
even climbing over the wall, and fighting
the enemy in his own trenches until en-
tirely surrounded; and those who were
not killed or wounded were captured, with
the exception of about 300 who came off
slowly, but greatly scattered, the identity
of every regiment being entirely lost. and
every regimental commander killed or
wounded
WORLDS GREATEST DEEDS.
"Col. Walter II. Taylor of Gen. Lees
staff, who was on the field standing by
Gen. Lee and saw the movement, says:
1T is needless to say a word here of
the heroic conduct of Pickett's Division.
That charge has already passed into his
tory as zone Of the worlds great deeds of
arms" While doubtless many brave men
Of other commands reached the crest OF
the nights. this was the only organized
body which entered the works of the
enemy
Gen. Long. who was also on Gen
Lees staff, after describing the order in
| which the charge was made, says:
"'But the tempest of fire which burst
upon the devoted column quickly reduced
| its strength. The troops of Heth's Di
vision Pettigrew's), decimated by the
storm of deadly hail which tore through
their ranks, faltered and fell back in dis
| order before the whitening volleys of the
Federal musketry. This compelled Pen
der's (Trimble's) Division, which had
marched out to support the movement. tC
fall back, while Wilcox, on perceiving that
the attack had grown hopeless, failed tc
advance, leaving Pickett's men to continue
the charge alone. The other supports
Hoods and McLaw's Divisions, which
| had been expected to advance in support
of the charging column. did not move, and
were too remote to offer any assistance
The consequence was that Pickett was
left entirely unsupported.
THROUGH SHOT AND SHELL.
"'Yet the gallant Virginians marched
steadily forward, through the storm OF
shot and shell that burst upon their de-
voted ranks, with a gallantry that has
never been surpassed. AS they approach
ed the ridge their lines were torn by in.
cessant yOlloys of muSketry as by a dead
ly hail. Yet, with unfaltering courage
the brave fellows broke into the double
quick, and with an irresistible charge
burst into the Federal lines and drove ey
| cry thing before them toward the crest OF
Cemetery Hill, leaping the breastwOrks
and planting their standards ON the cap
tured guns with shouts of victory
whilst nearly all of the Federal re
ports which refer to this charge do so in
almost as enthusiastic terms as the Con
federate, yet only two or three of then
designate, by name, the troops who were
in advance and who actually entered theil
works. These few, however, leave NJ
doubt on this point. Gen. Hancock says:
"'When the enemy's line had nearly
reached the stone wall, led by Gen. Armi
stead etc.
Gen. Webb, who commanded the bri
gade Immediately in front Of Pickett
says;
fence, driving out a portion of the lis
Pa. Gen. Armistead passed over tn,
fence with probably over 100 of his com
mand, and with several battle-fags,' etc
A NORTHERNER's REPORT.
"Gen. Henry J. Hunt, who commanded
the Federal artillery, says:
1.-The enemy advanced magnifcently
mistaken by the shot and shell which tori
through his ranks from the front ani
lister fire and musketry were opened upor
them, it occasOned disorder, but still they
advanced, calamity until they reached the
| stone wall, behind which our troops lay