Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1913-08-05
PiCkett'S Charge 1t Gettysburg.

Il shall lead my division forward, .
SAID eneral Pickett. Then followed a
scene une qualed in the military history
of the world. and one IN which friend
and foe alike have borne testimony to
the courage and fortitude with which
this gallant band met the ordeal of hav-
ing to endure terrible fire without the
power of returning il. The distance to
the centre of the Union lines was nearly
mile. and for more than half that dis
lance the boys of the Southland marched
as if on holiday parade with flags and
banners glistening in the sunlight One
company was singing Bonnie Blue
Flag" and the band of regiment IN the
rear was playing Southern airs. They
were unmolested bv the batteries of the
Union forces which were preparing to
open their death-dealing fire at the prop
er time. When they came within close
range the roar of the Federal guns was
heard and wide gaps were torn in the
ranks of Pickett's men. only to be filed
up again by others, and yet on they came
undismayed by the danger and uncheck-
ed by the murderous work of the Union
forces surrounding them right into the
jaws of death.
Pickett's men came on and. discover
ing vacant portion OF the wall, they
began to leap over. Then two compa-
MES of the Sixty-ninth swung back in or
der to protect the wall and a hand-to.
hand conflict of the most desperate char
acter took place. A Confederate called
out to James Donnelly. of the Sixty
ninth, to surrender, level ng his musket
to fire at the same time, but before he
could pull the trigger Donuelly. who was
boy about is years of age. feled the
man with the barrel of his gun. Corpo-
raj Bradley. of tie same company. was
killed about this time. having his skull
crushed by Confederate soldier while
attempting to beat back the men who
| were coming over the wall. eneral
Armistead, who led one of Pickett S front
brigades, reached the farthest point of
the Confederate advance and with his
hand upon Union gun while under the
shadows of the flags of his brigade. fell
MORALLY wounded. The struggle was
soou over, fer Pickett's men were out
numbered aud The loss of Armistead had
been sad blow.
| Oser 4. 600 were made prisoners, and
as many more were lying on the fl Id or
cold in death Virginia on that day
yielded up as a sacrifice to the Lost
Gauss her gallant. ehivalrous sons vino,
with uutAitering step and Unsurpassed
bravery. bore almost alone the brunt d
a charge perhaps the most heroic and
daring in the annals of warfare.
Il The battle Of ettysbnrg w,s over.
The cost of men h4d been fri<hifu', TO
the losses OF two armies had been NOR
tlau5o 900. abouteveBiy divided betwe,i
the two sides. The weary Confederate
| retreated to the waiting lines OF tue Con
federacy on Seminary Ridge and lie
! then began his retreatto Virginia. Til
high water mark OF the Confederacy Ia,
been reached aud now the waters wsr
{ recediug not at ettysburg a.ons nj i
the Southwest as well, for aim )st at th
$ isame hour that Pickett's charge occurre
! Grant aud Pemberton stood under ire
5 lon hill above the Mississippi river an
arranged for the snrreuderoi / cksbure
Il Fold up the bannersl Melt the gunsl
IL Love rules Her gentle purpose runs.
A mighty mother turns in tears
The pages Of her battle years,
Lanenting all her fallen sons"