The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-12
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s1CxLEs SAYS GORDON HAS ERRED.
The Union Veteran Declares the Review Of
Gettysburg Fanciful and Mistaken.
(New York Herald.)


Forty years ago last Wednesday-it
happened on a Wednesday, too--in 1853,
began the eventful three-days' battle OF
Gettysburg, the conflict between the
forces of the Union and the Southern
Confederacy. resulting in the defeat OF
Lees army and the interruption of his IN
vasion of the North.
What followed on the first and second
days of the battle particularly, has given
rise to many controversies among the par
Elephants in the battle of Gettysburg, and
General John B. Gordon, who command
ed brigade of Ewells corps in the ac-
ton. has alluded to some of them in an
account of the battle, appearing in Scrib-
ner's Magazine for July.
In this account he gives many personal
experiences of the advance into Penn
sylvania the reception of the Confeder-
ates at York and Wrightsville, and the
backward movement toward the battle
field that was to be.
Ewell did not reach Gettysburg until
late in the afternoon. The fight had been
on between Towards forces and the Con
federate for five or six hours when Ewell
came up.
At that moment, according to Gordon,
the Union forces seemed about to envelop
Lees left, and the days work promised to
be ended with the complete turning of
Lees flank Gordon was ordered to the
relief of the heavily-pressed Confederates,
and his men rushed upon the Union right.
ANY troops that were ever marshaled
wound, under like conditions" says Gen
eral Gordan, ''have been as surely and
swiftly shattered. There was no alter
native for Towards men except to break
and fly or to throw down their arms and
surrender"
According to General Gordon, the mo-
ments that followed were those of most
vital Importance to the cause of the Con
federacy. He saw the Union forces de-
feated, demoralized, throwing down their
arms and on the point of surrender to his
brigade. which had not only penetrated
the Union line, but was holding position
obhquely to the Union rear. All that
remained to be done was to advance, fold
up the broken and demoralized Union
ranks and capture their position on Gene
terry Hill. Just then came the order for
Gordon to halt. To him it was a fatal
mistake"
General Daniel E. Sickles, in command
at the battle of Gettysburg of the Third
Army Corps, and one of the few living
commanders of corps during the civil war,
is still In the enjoyment of excellent
health, an admirably preserved man at
Is. He holds General Gordon in high
esteem, so whatever he may have to say
about that officers opinions of incidents
in the Gettysburg fight must be accept
ed as having no resentment or lingering
hostility in it. 1t is professional, not
personal. criticism.
YES" said General Sickles, ST have
read Gen Gordons story of the battle of
Gettysburg. l am very fond of Gordon.
He is a charming man and Il good story
teller, and he has given very entertain
ing account of his march into Pennsyl-
vania and his part n the battle. His ae-
count of his treatment at York and at
Wrightsville is delightful. and his refer
ence to Barlow and his galiantrv on the
first day are touching.
LAS a story. the account is entertain
ing, but its military value is unimnort.
ant AS a matter of fact and record Won
will find that it is largely fancifuI and
mistaken"
What do you say, General siclxlas ~
General Gordon's suggestion that the t,,,.,,
ing point OF Gettysburg. the fatal mis-.
take Of the Confederates, was to be fonnd
in the failure to take advantage sc INA
assault OF his brigade upon the Trn;on
flgnt az the close of the first days fightq.,
All moonshine, not the least doubt -
y, ana General Gordon viii admit 4
wnen ne comes to look over the reno,ts
anu recan the circumstances surround;ns
hlm' General sickles replied.