The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-07-07

Forty-three years ago to-day, says
the widow of Gen. George E. Pickett,
in last Sundays Record Herald. the
battle of Gettysburg began, with Cen
erals George G. Meade and Robert E.
Lee commanding the opposing forces.
General Pickett's charge took place the
third day, Lee having planned an at
tack upon the Federal front while Stu
arts Cavalry assailed it's rear. But
Stuart was prevented from co-operar-
ing by unexpectedly encountering a
Federal Cavalry force four miles east
of Gettysburg. On July Lee was re-
treating across the Potomac and on the
same day Vicksburg surrendered to
General Grant.
General Pickett justified his leaving
the United States army, not only on
constitutional grounds. because he had
been taught States Rights for four
years at West Point, where the Gov
ernment furnished to its future soldiers
instruction in the principles for which
they would be expected to fight; but he
also said: proud as I am of being an
American citizen, and dearly love the
Stars and Stripes, 1 will not raise my
arm against my own kith and kim"
He was equally loath to carry on an
aggressive campaign of invasion of the
North when it was proposed. In con-
sultation with the officers of his COM
rnand over the proposed invasion, Cen
eral Pickett said: Il believe that by at
tacking the North on her own ground
we shall fire her heart with hitherto
unknown flame. The smoldering eln-
nation from sea to sea. The Southern
sympathy which now divides the North
and cools her fervor will be trans
formed into vindictive hostility that
will unite all factions. The day we set
foot on Northern soil the bone and sin
ew of all the people will rise against
u.s."
Longstreet assented to the invasion
only on condition that it should still
be a campaign of defensive tactics, and
Lees first order-Order No. 73-"No
retaliation, no robbery, no spoliation,
no outrage, no waste-we make war
only upon armed men," registered the
high-Water mark of civilized war. So,
on the third of June, with sixty thous-
and soldiers and two hundred guns, the
great march began-a sad anniversary
for the Confederacy. The magnificent
army marched across the valley of Vir-
.ginia-that ill-starred plain for the
Federals, who had met with so many
reverses there that they named it THE
Valley of Humiliation
To the ringing notes of the Bonnie
Blue Flag" Pickett's men were march,
ing through the town of Greencastle,
in Pennsylvania, when a young girl,
in house upon the line, caught up a
United States flag, and fastening one
porch. She waved the flag and shout
er at the top of her voice: Come and
take it who dares!"
There was growl along the line and
a halt in the swinging tramp of the
stern soldiers, when Pickett hurried on
ahead and, lifting his cap, bowed with
courtly grace to the maiden, saluting
her flag with all q soldiers reverence.
He wheeled his horse out of line his
head still barred, his flashing eyes is
suing his only command. But his men
understood, and as they filed by every
cap in the long line was swung aloft
and the Rebel Yell" echoed through
the streets of Greencastle, in honor OF
the girl and the flag. ..
The little girl, who was overcome by
the touch of Southern chivalry, called
out: II wish that had a rebel flag
and then I'd wave that, tool"
A brother officer asked Pickett how
he could bring himself to salute the
enemy's flag. Fire flashed in his tiger
gray eyes as he replied: General.
saw only the heroic womanhood in the
heart Of that little girl, and the banner
under which won my first laurels."
Pickett's division was left, four milea
Nbeyond Chambersburg. to guard trains
Lee had chosen Cashtown as the site