The Republican journal., 1913-06-26

it moves slowly forward in the face of a
storm of canister that literally mows
great sections to the ground. But the
shattered brigades preserve their align
ment, oblique to the left, and sweep
against the stone wall from which now
come the cruel voleys of the infantry.
1.-The highwater mark of the charge
was reached by Armistead's brigade of
Virginians. With his cap upon the
point OF his sword to guide his men,
like the Helmet of Navarro, he pressed
far beyond the fence, rushed the bat
that he had taken. So desperate was
the fighting here that twenty Confed-
crate flags were captured within a
space not a humid, ed yards square.
'Pickett's division lost 2,9S8 men
killed and wounded, of whom l,191
were from Armistead's brigade alone.
The death which spared not his three
brigadiers passed over the conspicuous
leader with his long black hair, and
the voice that had sent the men across
the field of blood now gave the COM
mand to fall back. And just at that
hour, far away to southwark, Grant
and Pemberton were standing together
under tree, arranging the details of
the surrender of Vicksburg.
"Of all the descriptions of Plcketts
great change, that of the greatest hui
man interest is the latest-his letter to
the Virginian girl who later became his
wife:
You never saw anything like il.
They moved across that field of death
as battalion marches forward in line
of battle upon drill, each commander in
front of his command, leading and
cheering on his men. Two lines of the
enemy's infantry were driven back;
two lines of guns were taken-and no
support came.
'Ah, if | had only had my other two
brigades, a different story would have
been flashed to the world. Seven
of my colonies We're killed and one was
mortally wounded. Nine of my lieu
tenant-colonels were wounded and three
leutenant-co colonies were killed. Only
one field officer of my whole command,
Colonel Cabell, was unhurt, and the loss
of my company officers was in proper
ton
As the tumult and the shouting die,
the eye turns away from Pickett and
the bloody field and seeks the Chieftain
who has lost. From an eminence over
looking the heroic battle-ground, the son
of Light Horse Harry Lee has seen
the hopes of the Southland perish;
With uncovered head he rides forward
to meet Pickett, who comes slowly up
the slope with the pitiful remnants of
his broken legion, the tears washing the
CRIME of battle from his cheeks. Lees
face is calm and gives no hint OF the
emotions within his breast. 1T was all
nv fault. he saws Now help me to
save that which remains
AT midnight a cavalry officer in
charge of the rough wagons that were
gathering up the mangled men waited
at the Generals tent. At last the gray
outline of Traveller appeared in the
! dim moonlight and Lee YEARLY dis
mounted. This has been sad day,
Genera:' h. said, and then leaned
against his horse n utter exhaustion
seemingly unmindfll of the others pres
ence.
/ "You are much fatigued, General,
said the cavalry officer.
/ 90 Oh, it's too bal It's too bad' he
exclaimed. Then he gave the last COM
mand of the day and it concerned the
wounded men who had fought in vain
and whose means were the Mlserere Of
the Lost Cause.
The officer went to his harrow ing
task, and Traveller was led away by ar
orderly. Then the Captain Of the Con
federacy. with his soul exceeding sor
row,ul, drew back the flaps of his ten
and entered the valley of his Getl
semane alone.
And he went forward a little, am
fill on his face 80