The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-02
THE PINCH AT GETTYSBURG
BY CAPT. S. A. AsHE.

To the Editor:-The above is the
caption of an article that appeared
in the Baltimore American just after
the Battle of Gettysburg, and was
copied into the Wilmington Journal OF
September, 10, 1868. from which / re-
produce ii, since ii so strongly corrob-
crates the statements made by General
Lane and others that the North Caro-
finians were the last engaged on that
field.
The better to comprehend the ac-
count here given by a Union soldier
of that affair. ] suggest that the
reader should take piece of paper
and draw line down it for three
inches. and then turning to the left
draw g. line an inch, and then making
an angle, continue the line down am
inch and half. making at that point
a mark TO represent clump of trees:
then continue the line a couple of
inches and then make some marks
to represent a rail fence.
Those lines will indicate the stone
wall and fence which the Confeder-
ate assailed
A little to the east of this line was
a ridge, beyond which the reserve
regiments of the Federal Army lay
protected under its cover.
At the angle was q Federal gun on
which Major Engelhard the Adjutant
General of Penders Division then
commanded by General Trimble, rest
ed, as he detailed in one of his state
ments.s
From the clump of trees south
ward were Piekett's Virginians con-
fronted in part by Webb's Federal
Brigade. From that clump northward
was Pettigrews command composed
chiefly of North Carolinians. who were
confronted by the Third Division.
Lanes Brigade was farthest to the
north.
With this explanation 1 quote from
the article in the Baltimore Ameri
can published just after the occur
renee. The position of this Federal
soldier was in front of Pickett.
'The Pinch at Gettysburg
after an hour and half of such
firing as | have described. we could
see from where we stood the enemy
moving up in three lines from out of
the woods They would come out
marching by flank, till they reached
the desired ground, when they would
face to the front. Their second line
was about a hundred yards in the rear
of the first, and on the edge of the
woods across the valley was q third
line. Ii was 4 splendid sight to see
them. No one looked at their uni
forms or no uniforms. their hats, or
caps, or bare heads. Everybody looked
at the beautiful way in which they
array ca ti2G-ilSC1NCS III OINlCl VI etNlcANhs
regardless of the shot ard shell which
we threw into their ranks. Thee SOL
ders on our side again and again
praised, while they awaited the ap-
proach of The enemy. Nor did they
wait long. When they approached
to within about two hundred yards,
part of our division. l think it was
Halls brigade. opened fire, and we
could see men fall and others go. to
the rear. Still on they came. crowd
ing a little in front but as steady
as rocks. Just then an officer rode
by ard said the Vermont regiment
On the LETT was worrying the enemy.
But they did not mind that either: on
they came. When they got within a
hundred yards. more of our regi-
ments opened fire: but it did not stop
them. Some regiments reserved their
fire until they got within fifty yards.
and then the enemy fell fast: but
still on they came and we could see
their faces and hear their officers. 1t
was almost too much for human ma
turc to stand, aid portion of the
second brigade. which was behind the
stone fence, began to leave cover--not
because the enemy vas upon it, but it
seemed impossible tC stay.
The flags of the enemy, which are
small, red affairs. with white cross
diagonal on them, got up to the stone
wall, and some crossed to the line of
rail fence perhaps hundred or so.
led, as / heard, by General ArmiStead.
They were able 20 do this because. as
| have told you. the sec@nd brigade
did not stand up to the line of the
stone wall and rail fence. so that the
division was bent backward in the
centre. as it were, the ends on the
right and left standing fast: at least so
it seemed, for there was a great deal
of smoke and terrific noise to con-
fuse ones power of calm observation.
This was the pinch and the officers
knew it. General Gibbon had Just
been hit, some one said. and almost at
the same time General Hancock was
badly wounded and beth were taken
off the field to the rear. But | recol-
iect seeing Gibbons aide try to rally
the men, and do it manfully too. He
did a mans part in steadying the line
SO did Webb. who was on foot in the
midst of the men. Entreaty. COM
mand. expostulation. announcement
were employed Webb was Avery-
where. So was Colonel Smith, of
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