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


minds seemed absorbed in the men pc
hind. and in the bloody work BEFORE
them. kemper, the other brigadler, was
younger, but had experienced many Sc
we're battles. He was leading my old bfl-
sade that l had drilled on Manassas
plains before the first battle on that noted
field.
The troops advanced in well closed
ranks and with elastic step, their faces
lighted with hope Before them lay the
ground over which they were to pass to
the point of attack. Intervening were
several fences, a field of corn, a little
swale running through it and then a rise
from that point to the Federal stronghold.
AS soon as Pickett passed the crest or
the bill the Federals had a clear view
and opened their batteries, and as he de-
scended the eastern slope of the ridge his
troops received a fearful fire from the
batteries in front and from Round Top.
The troops marched steadily, taking
the fire with great GOODNESS. AS soon as
they passed my batteries | ordered my
artille~y to turn their fire against the
batteries on our right, then IA king my
lines. They did so. but did not force the
FederalS to change the direction OF their
fire and relieve our infantry. AS the
troops were about TO cross the swale l
noticed considerable force of Federal
infantry moving down as though to flank
the left of our line. | sent officer to
caution the division commanders to guard
against that move, at the same time
sending another staff officer with SINH
lar orders so as to feel assured the or
der would be delivered. Both officers
came back bringing their saddles, their
horses having been shot under them.
After crossing the Swale, the troops
kept the same steady step. but met a
dreadful fire at the hands of the Federal
Oh field
was open the Federal infantry poured
down "A terrific fire. which was kept VI
during the entire assault. The slaughter
was terrible, the enfilade fire of the bat
teries on Round Top being very destruc-
tive. At times one shell would knock
down five or six men.
I dismounted to relieve my horse and
was sitting rail fence watching
very closely the movements of the troops.
Col. Fremantle. who had taken position
behind the Sd Corps, where he would be
out of reach Of fire, and at the same time
have clear view of the field, became so
interested that lie left his position and
came with speed to join me. Just as
he came up behind me, Pickett had reach
ed point near the Federal lines. pause
was made to close ranks and mass for
the final plunge. The troops on Pickett
left, although advancing. were eVlde..tly
a little shaky. Col. Fremantle. only OBJ
serving the troops of Pickett's comma I'D,
said to me, General, / would not have
missed this for anything in the world.
He believed it to be a complete success.
/ was watching the troops supporting
Pickett and saw plainly they could moi
hold together ten minutes longer. i called
his attention to the wavering condition
of the two divisions of the Sd Corps, and
hny mt hat
would strike and be crushed and the at
tack would be a failure. AS Pickett S
division concentrated in making the final
assault Kemper fell severely wounde /.
AS the division threw itself against tie
Federal line Garnett fell and expired. The
Confederate flag was planted In the
Federal line, and Immediately Armistead
fell mCrtally wounded at the feet OF the
Federal soldiers. The wavering divis ons
then seemed appalled,, broke their ranks,
and retired.
Immediately the Federals swarmed
around Pickett, attacking on all des.
enveloped and broke up his comm nd,
having killed and wounded more than
1000 men in about thirty minutes. They
then drove the fragments back upon our
lines. AS they came back l fully expect
ed to see Meade ride to the fro mt and lead
his forces to tremendous counter
charge. Sending my staff officers to as
sist in collecting the fragments of my
command, / rode TO my line of batteries :,
knowing they We're all | had in frolt of
the impending attack, resolved to drive
it back or sacrifice my last gun AMI man.
The Federals were advancing line of
skirmisherS which l thought was the
advance of their charge. AS soon as
the line of skirmishers came within reach
of our guns, the batteries opened again
and their fire seemed to check a; once
the threatened advance. After keeping
it up few minutes the line of skirmsh-
ers disappeared. and my mind was re-
lieved Of the apprehension that Meade
was going to follow us.
Gen. Lee came up as our troops were
falling back and encouraged them As
we'll as he could; begged them to reform