The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1913-11-06
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FAMOUS CHARGE OF PICKETT
Gray-ciad Soldier Could Have Taken
Life of Union Man Who Was
Making Observation.

Nothing but a stone fence and
narrow margin of cornfield separated
me from their famous charge. AS a
member of the One Hundred and Thir-
ty-sixth New York infantry, volun-
teers, we were stationed in the field
as sklrmishers and spent the entire
day the charge was made in that
field.
was not far from the north fence,
which ran east and west. Picketts
troops in their charge moved to the
west, on the other side of this fence,
near where was placed. AS they ap-
preached, passed, and after they had
passed where | was standing, load
ed and fired as rapidly as could into
their lines In so doing ! disregard
ed the Confederate skirmishers direct
! ly opposite US, who were quite active,
and in this field inflicted on our COM
pany loss of 13 out of 40 men, or q
loss of about one-third of the company.
Pickett's men paid no attention to us,
their terrible objective being in their
front, from which direction a hail OF
bullets-solid shot-then exploding
shells, and as they neared our lines,
grape and canister, rained upon
| them.
Our flags were always the same,
but the confederates in battles and
charges carried red flags, not used ex-
cept in action, writes Henry NJ. Mat
thews in the Chicago RecordSHerald.
AS their lines approached opposite
where l was loading and firing into
their f1anks as fast as was able, the
red flags kept falling and dipping to
the front, and instantly were raised by
firm hands and advanced, but the dip
ping continued. Every time one OF
these flags dipped or fell to the front
it's bearer was hit, and it was seized
by another. At the rear of those ad-
vancing line a continual stream OF
wounded men poured out, and hasten
ed as they could, back to the shelter
of their lines on Seminary Ridge. But
the column closed its gaps, as fast
as made. and moved in their grim de-
termination with the precision OF
clockwork.
That night l was posted near the
fence before mentioned, where could
hear the prayers, curses and appeals
for water of the wounded, whom II
trying to relieve, our details and am
bulance men were fired upon by the
enemy.
The next morning l walked among
the fallen Confederates, mostly dead
but something Of what l saw and 6
conversation which l had with
wounded Louisianian would lengther
this communication too far beyond the
limits of the statement you requested
After the repulse Of the granC
charge upon our center that afternoon
the skirmishers in our front were no
Withdrawn, but l believe were rein
forced
The ground was crowning, rising il
gentle ridge, with gradual slopinl
sides between US and them. When no
firing we generally lay on the grount
ready to get up and use our arms al
occasion required. After short perio'
of quiet l arose and, bent over a
much as could, advanced up towar'
the crest of the ridge. When no
far from it, Strengthened up.
Just as did so l saw little beyon
the crest of the rising ground-near
tree-a gray-clad soldier, straighter
ing up also. He was investigatin
from his side the same as was fror
ours. Instinctively, our guns wer
pointed at each other, l had con
menced to rise a trifle more before h
did so, and was able to fire first. H
came down, so far as appeared not a
hit or injured, but without firing hi
piece. Then, being helpless with m
muzzle-loading gun, have alway
wondered why, if not seriously wount
ed, he did not discharge his weapo
at me.