The National tribune., 1904-05-19
DIAGRAM OF THE COLLISION ON JULY 3.

for the assailants approached steadily,
while the Union force held itself braced
to receive the impact. When at length the
hostile lines had approached to between 200
| and 800 yards, the divisions of Hays and
Gibbon of the Second Corps opened a de-
structive fire, and repeated it in rapid sue
cessiOn.
PETTIGREw's NORTH CAROLINIANs BROKEN
This sally had the effect to instantly re-
veal the unequal metal of the assaultng
mass, and proved what of it was iron and
what clay. 1t happened that the division
on the left of Pickett, under command of
Gen. Pettigrew, was, in considerable part,
made up of North Carolina troops compar-
atlvely green. To animate them, they had
been told that they would meet only the
Pennsylvania militia. But, when, approach
ing the slope, they received the fcu denfer
from Hays's line, there ran through their
ranks cry, the effect of which was like to
that which thrilled Greek army when it
was said that the god Pan was among them
THE Army Of the Potomac!'
Thus suddenly undeceiyed in regard to
their opponents, Pettigrew's troops broke
in disorder, leaving 1000 prisoners and IL
colors in the hands of Hays's Division.
PICKETT's vIRGINIANs RUSH ON.
Now. as Wilcox's Brigade had not ad-
| vanced, pickett's Division remained alone
solid lance-head of Virginia troops, tenn
pered in the fire of battle. Solitary, this
division, buffeting the fierce yolleys that
met it, rushed up the crest of Cemetery
Ridge, and such was the momentum of its
assault that it fairly thrust itself within
IIancock's line.
1t happened that the full strength of this
attack fell upon Webb's Brigade of three
regiments. This brigade had been disposed
in two lines two of its regiments the Goth
and list Pa, posted behind low stone
wall and slight breastwork hastily CON
structed by them. while he remaining regi-
| ment tthe I'D Pa lay behind the crest
some 10 PAGES to the rear. and so placed
as to fire over the heads of those in front
When the swift advancing and yelling ar
ray of Picketts force had, notwithstand-
ing the volleys it met, approac ched close
up TO the stone wall many of those behind
1t seeing their fire to be now vain. aban-
doned the position; and the Confederates,
| detecting this wavering. rushed over the
| breastworks, Gen. ArmisteaI leading. and
crowned the stone wall with their stand
| ards. The moment was certainly as crit
ical as can well be conceived: but, happily,
the regiments that had been holding the
front line did not. on falling back. do so
IN panic: so that by the personal bravery
OF Gen. Webb and his officers they were
Immediately rallied and reformed on the
remainder of the brigade, which held the
second line behind the crest. and Hancock,
who had the day before turned the fortunes
OF the battle in similar emergency again
displayed those qualities of cool appreca-
| tion and quick action that had proved him
one of the foremost commanders on tho
| actual held Of battle. and instantly drew
! together troops to make a buwark against
any further advance of the now exutant
enemy.
| CONFUSED RUSH TO THE RESCUE.
! As the hostile front Of attack was quite
/ narrow, il left IIancock's left wing unas-
sailed. From there he drew over the bri-
gades Of Hall and Harrow :t54D and Col.
! DeSereux, commanding the 18th Mass.
anxious TO be in the right place, applied for
permission 10 move his regiment to the
front-a request gladly granted by Han
cock, who also gave Mallon's 42d ~ Y. the
same direction while Col. Stannard moved
two regiments of his Vermont Brigade to
strike the enemy on the right flank These
movements were quickly executed. but not
without confusion, owing to- many men
/ leaving their ranks to fire at the enemy
from the breastworks. When the new line
was formed, il was found that the situation
was very peculiar: for the men of all bri
gades. while individually firm, had in some
measure lost their regimental organza
tiOn-a confusion that arose from the hon
orable ambition of individual commanders
10 promptly cover the point penetrated by
the enemy. The essential thing was Sc
cured. however-the breach was covered
and in such force that, in regular forma
ton, the line would have stood four ranks
deep.
THE yIRGINIANS COMPELLED TO YIELD.
1t will be remembered that the brigade
of Stannard held an advanced point OF
Iiancock's left AS the assaulting column
passed his right to strike Webb he moved
to the right, changed front forward, ant
opened a very savage fire on the enemy.
flank. At the same time the colors of tht
different reg iments were advanced in de
fiance of the long line of battle flags pre-
sented by the Confederates, and the mer
pressing firmly after them engaged i'm 9
brief and determined combat and utterl,
. overthrow the foe. Whatsoever valor coult
do to wrest victory from the jaws of hell
"a. The 151st Pa. and Goth n. Y. Stat,
Militia, both under Gates of Doubleday.
Division, First Corps, participated.