The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-07


battle of Gettysburg. AT reunion
OF Texas Confcdcrates at Bowie Mr..
hlnbic told the story OF that grant
battle. especially that part OF IL known
as "Pickett's CHARGE"
VIII be recalled that Arohcr's
Iennesscans opened the battle on July
j. and fired the last shot when Lees
ARM recrossed the river into Virginia.
-hr. himblc wro,e out the main points
ot MS address for the Confederate Vet
cran at the request or Nix. : \. Gun
n'nsham. the editor of i1at magazine,
and that part OF it relating particu-
lariy to the celebrated charp. IL here
reproduced through the courtesy OF Sir.
Cunningham. The description Of the
Sreat battle Is thrilling one. ana. be-
me from the pen OF an eyewitness and
an actual participant. ii will bc read
with more than passing Interest.
Heth's Division.
early on the morning of July g."
writes Captain kimblc "Hcth's division
Was moved To the right and formed a
line on Seminary Ridg. opposite ana
apout mile from the centre iind ores;
OF Cemetery Ridge, upon which the
enemy were strongly posted behind
works. with parks Of artillery GOV srin,,
their entire front An open plain WIN
slight incline to the foot OF Gene
terry Ridge extended from Seminary
Ridge with no Instructions between AK
cept three fences. two rail, or worm
FENCES. and one slab fence nearest 10
the encmys front. For about four
hours or more all this was under the
eye and scrutiny of every veteran ia
Heth'e division as they stood IN line
cnch knowing what the oninous silence
pefHauinS the whole field meant and
each counting the probable results.
During the Iuli. already oppressive.
walked out to the edge OF TIE open
some fifty yards in advance OF the
'ine then lying in the timber. and Their.
deliberately surveyed the field from
Round TOP Mountain on our right TO
the suburbs and spires of Gettysburg
on The LEFT. l sought 20 locate the
point ON Cemetery Ridge about which
Our brigade and regiment would STRIFE
Inc enemy. provided our advance be
made III a straight line. Realizing lust
what was before me ana the brave
boys with me, and al On. of tile most
The question: June kimblc, are YOU
going To do your duty to day.? The
audible answer was: I'm do H. so helm
me God turned and walked back
TO the line. How doss It look June!'
said Lieutenant Waters replied:
Boys, IL we have 10 go. 1t will be hot
for us. and we will have 20 do our
Il
question as to doing my duty. change
OF feeling Immediately took possession
OF mo, all dread even passed away
and from that moment to the close OF
that disastrous struggle l retained my
nerve, ana my action was as calm and
deliberate as II upon dress parade. 1T
was different from all other expert
tnces. many and various, In my four
years OF unbrokcn service.
The Cnnnonndc
AT about ! o'clock Il solitary signal
Fhot whs Aired far TO our right IL.
1~onSstrceta command. Instantly every
battery upon the Confederate line
opened on It's mission OF death and de-
struction. and was as promptly re-
spondcd to by every battery. I prc.
kuine. on the Federal line. and the
third and last day of the battle OF
Gettysburg was on.
For about one hour an artillery
duel, the equal OF which was never
fought on this earth followed this
signal sun. The roar and crash OF
400 booming cannon. screaming and
bursting shells, and the swish Of crash
ms solid shot brought forth verI-
Gblc pendemonium. The very earth
shook as from a mighty Quake So in
tense were It's vibrations that loose
grass, leaves and twlgs arose from six
TO eight inches above the ground. how
cred and Iuivcrcd as birds about to
drop until the mighty roar ccascl
And II did cease almost as sud- snly as
1t began.
Another ominous lull. and each vc:-
eran drew n long breath OF relief; then
sharply Attention.! rang ont clear
along tho line. Instantly fourteen thou
sand veterans sprang 10 their feet and
awaited the word 'Forward!' which
they knew was coming From rickcit's
division of three brgndcs came at i'll
fervals the command. Dress 10 the
LETT and from 1fcth's or pcctigrcw's
BIN brigades came. Dress TO the right
Archcr's being near the centre ana the
guiding brigade OF the assaulting coll
lilnn 1t emerged into the open Held
silent, save for the tramp, tramp of n,
veterans in solid line with steady
nerve and determined me'iI. In my
admiration and enthusiasm ! rushed
some ten PAGES in advance and east my
eyes right and left 1t was nagnN-
cent! When observed by the enemy.
tho Vicious roar OF artillery began Us
deadly work, Soon shot and shell were
plowing through the Confederate
ranks; but on. steadily on, the line
moved without waver or bresk save
as gaps ware rent by solid shot or
exploding shell. The first fence was
soon reached and quickly toppled over
by hand and upon the points of bay.
onets. No check, but on we moved.
The second fence shared the fate OF.
the hrst; but without halt the col
umn went forward as IL to victory
The third obstacle appeared. n strong.
wel1-built post or slab fence, too strong
to be quickly torn away. Realizing
this, over the fancc the Confederatcs
epranS, thus nauslng for a moment In
some confusion; but reforming nuic&
ly the line, still unbrokcn, but ter, n,ly
punished, rushed forward undismayed.
In the Encmy's Works.
1T was here that again sprang In
advance, looked up and down that line.
and became an eyewitness OF the most
Vivid and stupendous battle scene
doubtless that ever fell 10 mortal As
far rs could see this same line sesm-
ed to move rs close ana steady rs upon
the start. On 1t advanced until hav-
ing reached close range OF The oncmy's