Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-10-09

4 nag II you udfSs mere we're angry
voices in the ranks. and many a rife
| shifted uneasily. General Pickett was
informed of the incident, and he at
once rode out in front of his men.
when, with all the courtesy of his
southern chivalry and soldiers rev.
erence, ne saluted her and the flag.
Then he turned and faced his men.
Iney all understood, and, as they
passed by, every cap was swung aloft
IN honor of the brave girl and her
| flag. The little miss overcome by
this manifestation of chivalry, cried
out, i wish had rebel flag, I'd wave
that. tool"
Mrs. Pickett spoke in regard to
the selection of a battle-ground. 1t is
said, you know, that trivial incidents
often decide great events. Neither
Lee nor Meade had chosen Gettys-
burg as the place of battle. Lee de.
sired to fight at Cashtown, Meade at
Pipe Creek. Both places were set
aside by what seemed then a trifing
incident. The confederate General
Heth wanted shoes, and, in attempt
Ing to get them at Gettysburg, unex.
pectedly met some of the federal
troops under General Reynolds, and
the fight began there.
THE whole history of that three.
days battle is we'll known, and need
not attempt to repeat it, though Mrs.
Pickett mentioned many matters con.
nected with it that were new to me.
During the early part of the conflict
General Pickett and his division had
been on guard at Chambersburg. Dur
ing the night of the second day he
arrived at Gettysburg to take part in
the struggle. When he reported to
General Lee he said that his men had
mad long march on very hot day,
but that if they could have two hours
OF rest they would be ready for auy
service.
AS We all know, after much dis.
cussion it was determined that Gener.
al Pickett and his men should make
the charge-a charge that has no
equal in history. OF the 5000 brave
fellows who went forth, 1876 went
down to death. When the general
walked back, after it was all over, he
| met General Lee. Pickett said Lee.
you have crowned your men and your
division with glory!' But Pickett
replied, I am ashamed to be alive. /
nave done nothing. All the pride and
glory will be but poor compensation
for the widows and orphans this day
! has made
Mrs. Pickett closed her address
with these words: The battle flag of
the confedefacy waved on those
heights moment only-to disappear
forever. But it was the grandest
charge of all military history.
charge that will live forever, and
with transcendant echoes ring
through the corridors of time and
move the hearts of brave men
through coming ages-Picketts
charge at Gettysburg
The applause at the close of Mrs.
Pickett's address was more hearty
and spontaneous, if possible, than
! when she was introduced to the au-
! dlence. There were scores of old yete-
rams present who were in the great
great battle, and without exception
they testified that it was the most
nearly correct account of the historic
! fight they had ever heard.
After the long applause had sub.
sided, DR.. Vincent announced that
Mrs. Pickett would like to take every
Grand Army man by the hand, and
| that an opportunity for such greeting
/ would be given to all who would
come to the porch at the rear of the
ampitheater. So we all marched out
to greet the lady and were only too
/ glad to meet her personally.
Before closing l must mention one
especially interesting incident CON
nected with the occasion. 1t CHANGED
that there was present with us that
/ day the General Alexander who was
chief OF artillery in General Long.
streets corps, and was, as such, at
| gettysburg. He was, of course, famil.
lar with every detail of the battle
! He declared Mrs. Pickett's address on
/ the subject to be the most nearly
correct from military and critical
point of view of any he had ever
heard. Singular as 1t may seem, Gen.
eral Alexander there met Mrs. Pick
EFT for the first time.
General Alexander is prominent as
a writer, and has published several
works concerning various features of
the civil war. He delivered, on Wash
ington's birthday, in 1902 before the
Military academy at West Point, an
address that has been spoken of very
| highly