The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-11-04

They had besides 14es missing. While the
North Caroline brigades did not have SC
many captured" as Pickett's troops, they
doubtless suffered heavier loss In killed
and wounded, although they took into the
fight a smaller force, and their organiza-
,tion was much disturbed by the severe
loss In regimentaI and company officers
In the battle OF the first But despite this
drawback, they exhibited heroism, a
constancy and an endurance unsurpass-
ed upon that field. where they accom-
pl!shed as much as any other troops, suf-
5fered greater losses and remained the
longest. Indeed. 1t was to them a day
Of glory as OF rnournful disaAter.''
From the foregoing 1t will sufficiently
appear that I had no wish to detfact from
Virginia.
Now. as.to the orlstn Of the controversy
about this famous charge. Shortly after
tho battle, the Richmond papers contained
severe structures on the North Carolina
troops in that affair; and along about
1876, I believe II was, General Taylor,
Lees acknowledgement. made a publlca-
tion very much on the same lima. 1t was
that that led to the determination OF
Colonel William L Saunders and Major
Peter NJ. Hall to have the correct record
fixed beyond dispute.
And as our legend Is challenge to Vr-
ginia, the throwing Of q gauntlet at the
feet OF the History Committee OF the
virginia veterans asking for q candid
examination OF the facts. North Carolina
will welcome the report prepared by 30
able a man as Judge Christian.
North Carolina utters no word of de-
traction concerning tho officers and SOL
diers OF Plckett's Division. But let us
see how loosely Judge Christian writes
v hen he Is discussing the North Caro-
llnians engaged In that fearful charge
that Is, IL the published account Is sus-
tanned by Judge Christians report:
1.-THE report contains the letter from
General Lee to General Pickett. advising
the latter to suppress his report Of the
charge. evidently because 1t reflected on
the North Carolina troops, and In which
General Lee says: You and your men
have crowned yourselves With glory"
And SO General Lee asked Pickett to
suppress his report OF the charge, evident
ly because 1t reflected on the North Caro-.
INA troops!
why should Pickett's report have re.
Elected on the North Carolina troopsi
The charge was made with one long line
| line. that before the final rush to the
assault Joined the first line and became
Identical with 1t. Pickett and his staff
wers we'll to the rear OF the right Of the
column, composed Of his own division
Archer's Brigade, then In the division I'm
der Pettigrew, was the brigade OF d.
rections, with Pettigrew's North Caro-
| iinians joining, 1t Is to be regretted thai
wa have no report from the gallant Con:
eral Pickett In regard to this celebrated
charge. It has. however, recently beer
developed that Pickett did make very
full report, Which he forwarded to Gen
avail Lee The report severely criticlse,
the failure to furnish him with the sup
porting force, which had been ordered
and, Lee, with his usual magnanin,ity
and In his great desire for harmony be
tween the officers of his army, returned
the report to Pickett requesting him 4
withdraw It, etc.
All! Pickett severely criticised the fall
ure to furnish him with the supporting
force, which had been ordered: and. Lee
preferring to take the blame himself
and, desiring harmony between his Of