The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-09-09

Itlt W tuIp LII, nia ch -
right stood Round-Top and little
Round-Top, crowned with artillery.
Beyond that ridge and ON its crest
lay eighty thousand men, every
breastwork finished, every reserve
posted, every gun in position, await
ing our assault. Between US and
Cemetery Ridge was a field as open
as this floor, not tree, not stone
to shelter one man from the storm
OF battle. The scene which met the
eyes of Armistead's men, as We de-
scended the slope, was splendid. Be
fore US, one hundred and fifty yards
away, moving on like waves OF the
sea, marched Garnett and kemper,
their battle flags flashing in the sun
light. The regiments OF Armistead
marching in perfect order, with dis
ciplined tread, followed where they
led.
Soon the heavy guns on Round
Top were trained upon Us, and howl
ing shells burst around us or crashed
through our ranks. The further we
advanced the more tremendous was
the cannonade. Our own artillery
on the heights behind Numbered
over our heads at the enemy's guns
on Cemetery Ridge. And SO We march
'vauIted with fire."
AS We crossed the plain beyond the
Codori house, We halted at the word
OF command, moved by the left flank,
then in line of battle, the guns on
Cemetery Ridge blazing in our faces,
and every regiment of Armistead s
brigade, dressed on it's colors as
straight as the line OF yonder door.
The gallant men who met our on
set thrilled with emotions OF fear
and admiration-they tell it them
selves - at the "granduer" OF the
scene, at the "magnificence" OF our
advance. To the Count de Paris, as
he watched the Confederate column
bearing down all opposition, moving
on with disciplined steadiness under
the fire OF one hundred guns, it SEEM
ed, he says, "an irresistible machine
which nothing could stop"
Meanwhile the fire OF the enemy
grew ever more violent, ever more
destructive. The cannon on Round
Top, "volleyed and Numbered. "
From Cemetery Ridge grape shot
and canister tore through our ranks.
We marched, says Longstreet,
Through a fearful fire from the bat
teries in front and from Round-Top."
"The slaughter" he says, "was ter
rible, the enfilade from batteries on
Round-Top very destructive" But
worse remained behind. From the
stone wall which sheltered their ranks
the hostile infantry poured down.
as Longstreet says, terrific fire. .
The hiss OF bullets was incessant.
Men fell at every step, they fell, [
thought, like the grass before the
scythe.
Such were the scenes which some
OF US witnessed that day. The severity
OF our loss attests how deadly were
the perils through which we passed.
OF three Brigadiers, two buried on
tie field, and one left weltering in
blood. OF the fifteen men who led
the regiments of Pickett not one es-
capped. Seven were disabled, some
with CHASTITY wounds, and eight of
them were slain outright. OF the
field officers in the whole division
only two remained unhurt. at was
a miracle" says the Count de Paris,
''to see them safe and sound"
And now, bearing these things
firmly in mind, let US follow Arm
istead. "a short time,' says Col.
Martin, "before the advance was Or
dered, the General, as his custom
was, marched up and down in front
OF his troops, encouraging them in
every way" for the shock of arms so
soon to follow. Remember, men,
what you are fighting for. Remem-
Der your homes and your fresides,
your mothers and wives and sisters
and your sweethearts.
When the signal guns were fired,
he promptly called, "attention," and
instantly every man was on his feet.
Coming then right to the front of
the 53rd Virginia, which was that
day the battalion of direction, he
said to Color-sergeant Blackburn,
Sergeant, are you going to plant
those colors on the enemy's works
over yonder?" eyes, General" was
the firm reply. 'If mortal man can
do it | will" Then the chief exhorted
his men to follow their colors and to
remember the brave words of Ser
geant Blackburn, and giving the
command, Battalion, forward ,
guide-centre, march," he placed him
self in front of the 53rd Virginia and
marching on foot, twenty yards
ahead of his brigade, watched and
directed our advance. 1t was not
long before the battle vas raging in
all its fury.
The brigades of Garnett and Kemp
er were in our front, and as we drew
near the advance-line Kemper rode
back to Armistead, who marched on
foot, and said, "Armistead, hurry
up, my men can stand no more, | am
going to charge those heights and
carry them, and | want you to sup
port me- 'I'll do it," he replied.
Then glorying in the conduct OF his
LhCii ue Sdtu W NSiupcl, LOok dU
my line, it never looked better on
dress parade"
And now came the supreme test.
He quietly gave the order, Colonel,
double quick" And putting his black
felt hat on the point of his sword he
led the advance, all the time in front
of his line of battle. marching straight
ahead through hail of bullets, ''the
very embodiment of heroic com
mander." The sword pierced through
the hat, and more than once it slip
ped down to the hilt, and we saw
above it the naked steel.
As often as the hat slipped down.
the old hero would hoist it again to
the swords point. And so borne
aloft with matchless courage. it
caught the eyes, il nerved the hearts
OF his devoted men, d standard as
glorious, "a worthy to be sung. as
the plume that fioated at Ivrv above
the helmet of Navarro.
And now the battle ragged with