Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-19

seemed to appreciate the severity of the
contest upon which he was about to en-
ter, but was quite hopeful of success
Upon receipt of notice he was to march
over the crest of the hill down the gentle
slope and up the rise opposing the Fed
eral stronghold. The distance was about
1,400 yards, and for most of the way the
Federal batteries would have a raking fire
from Round Top. while the sharpshooters,
artillery and infantry would subject the
assaulting column to terrible and de-
structive fire. With my knowledge of the
situation, l could see the desperate and
hopeless nature of the charge and the
cruel slaughter it would cause. My heart
was heavy when l left Pickett. ! rode
once or twice along the ground between
Pickett and the Federals, examining the
positions and studying the matter over in
all its phases, so far we could an
ticipate.
About o'clock everything was in read
mess. The signal guns broke the pre-
vailng stiffness. and Immediately 1O
Confederate cannon burst into deafen-
ing roar which was answered by a
thunder almost as great from the Fed
eral side. The great artillery combat pro-
ceeded. The destruction was, of course,
not great; but the thunder on Seminary
Ridge and the echo from the Federal
side showed that both commanders were
ready The armies seemed like mighty
wild beasts growing at each other and
preparing for death struggle.
For an hour or two the fire was con-
tinued, and met such steady response
on the part of the Federals that ii seemed
less effective than we had anticipated. ]
sent word to Alexander that unless he
could do something more 1 would not
feel warranted i'll ordering the troops
forward. After a little, some of the
Federal batteries ceased firing, possibly
to save ammunition. and Alexander
thought the most suitable time for the
advance had come. He sent word to
Pickett and Pickett rode to my head
quarters. AS he came up he asked If the
time for his advance had come | was
convinced that he would be leading his
troops to needless slaughter, and did not
speak. He repeated the question. and
without opening my lips 1 bowed in an
swer. In "a determined voice Picket,
said: ''Sir. l shall lead my division for
ward He then remounted his horse
and rode back TO his command.
| mounted my horse and rode 10 a
point where 1 could observe the troops
as they marched forward. Col. AleXan-
der had set aside battery of seven guns
to advance with Pickett. but Gen. Pen
dleton, from whom they were borrowed,
recalled them just before the charge was
ordered Col. Alexander told me of the
seven guns which had been removed, and
that his ammunition was SO low he could
dered him to stop Pickett until the am
munition could be replenished and he
answered, There is no ammunition with
which to replensh." In the hurry he got
L.x
together such guns as ne could 10 move
with Pickett.
1t has been said that I should have
exercised discretion and should not have
sent Pickett on his charge. 1t has been
urged that ] had exercised discretion on
previous occasions 1t Is true that al
times when / saw "a certainty of success
in another direction | diu not follow the
orders of my general. but that was when
he was not near and could not sec the
situation as it existed When your chief
il away you have a right to exercise
discretion, but If he sees everything thai
YOU see you lave no night to disregard
his positive and repeated orders. l never
exercised discretion after discussing with
Gen. Lee the points of his orders, and
when after discussion, he had ordered
the execution of his policy. ] had of
fered my objections to Picketts battle
and had been overruled. and l was In the
immediate presence of the commanding
general when the order was given fol
Pickett TO advance.
That day at Gettysburg was one Of the
saddest of my life. I foresaw what my
men would meet and would gladly have
given up my position rather than share
in the responsibilities OF that day. 1t
was thus / felt when Pickett, at the head
of 1890 brave men, marched over the
crest of Seminary ridge and began his
descent of the slope. AS he passed me
he rode gracefully, with his jaunty CAP
raked wei over on his right ear and his
long auburn locks, nicely dressed, hang
ing almost to his shoulders. He seemed
rather a holiday soldier than a general
at the head of a column which was about
to make one of the grandest most des-
perate assaults recorded in the annals
of wars. Armistead and Garnett. two OF
his brigadiers, were veterans OF nearly q