The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-13

| treat became rout in which our men
took heavy toll for the losses inhict-
ed on them So hot was our nre that
many. OF the enemy hid behind the
great boulders. which were numerous,
ana as our charging line passed over
! them surrendered and were sent to the
rear. General Graham with becoming
/ courage. rode out OF the orchard be-
! hind his men-his horse was shot
I down and he was captured Several
guns and caissons were abandoned in
! the orchard. others were captured
| later
Tho Peach Orchard line the brigade
carried was held by Graham's Bri-
gadc OF six Pennsylvania regiments.
| OF Birney's Division. Measuring the
Importance attached BY the enemy TO
/ the position. other regiments were
crowded on the position: quoting from
Colonel Livermore and the record. ono
regiment each OF Wards and De Tro-
brands BriSades OF Birncy's Division.
/ one OF Burl!ng's Brigade, and when
/ Barksdale appeared two regiments OF
/ Bre*ster's Brigade" Of Humphrey 9
I Division Of the Third Corps. That is.
! the position which Barksda assaulted
/ with four regiments. was held by
/ eleven regiments, all veterans, all un-
der General Graham's command, and
Two batteries OF artillery. The en-
counter resulted as stated.
IN n Gettysburg article published
some years ago In the Confederate
Veteran by Judge George Clark, OF
waco. and a veteran of W!lcox's Bril-
Gade. was the following spirited ref
eTence TO Barksdale's Brigade:
Our brigade commander during the
morning took occasion 10 explain 10
the officers the general plan OF the
oattle. IN SO far as our immediate
front was concerned. stating that the
movement forward would be by echel-
on. beginning with the right OF Long
streets Corps and extending TO the
LEFT as each brigade came into action ;
and that. owing TO our situation. the
Alabama Brigade at the proper time
would move by the left flank rapidly.
so as TO give Barksdale's Mississ!ppi
Brigade. which would be on our i'm :
/ mediate right. room 10 move forward
ia proper line.
Thus matters stood until about 4
p NJ. when the thunder OF cannon I'D
on the right announced the beginning
or inc action. AS Longstreets .ri-
| gades came into action the roar OF
the cannon was accompanied by the
/ rattle OF musketry. mingled with the
Feils OF our boys as they moved for.
ward on the run. and the scene was
grand and terrific. AS the fire and
/ me c!amor approached the Alabama
/
! Missssipriana IN an unbroken line In
the most magnificent charge wit
messed during the war. and led by the
gallant Barksdale, who seemed to be
| Htty yards in front OF his brave bows.
! me scene was grand beyond descr!p-
! ton.
! The order was then given our bril-
gaze to move rapidly by the left Aank,
ana the movement was made at full
speed until space was cleared sufi-
Client tor the Mississ!ppians. and then
with right face Wilcox's Brigade
moved forward to the assault"
In paper on Gettysburg. read by
Icncral Mcl.aws-who commanded the
division OF which Barksdale's Brigade
was a part-n 1875. before the His
toricai Society OF Georgia. he made spe-
cial mention % his Mississippians lie
SAID: Barksdale had been exceeding
impatient for the order to advance
ana his enthusiasm was shared in bv
ms command Barksdale was stand
Ing In front ready to give the word
| ana 10 lead. He was not far from me
! ana so soon as 1t was signihed to me
! sent my aid-de-ca camp. Captain G. B.
Lamar, Jr, to carry the order 10 Cen
eTal earksdale. and the result ex-
press in Captain Lamar's words.
had witnessed many charrea
marked in every way by un1incbins
saliantry; indeed. had the honor Of
participating when In the line with
the First Georgia Regulars. but !
never saw anything to equal the dash
and heroism of the Mississippians
You remember how anxious General
barksdale was to attack the enemy.
ana MS eagerness was participated in
nE al OF mis- officers and men. and
when carried him the order to ad-
vance his face was radiant with joy.
ne was In front of his brigade. hat
or, and his long, white hair reminded
me OF the white plume OF Navarro.
saw him as far as the eye could
follow. still ahead OF his men. leading
them on. The result you know. You
remember the picket fence in front OF
the brigade? l was anxious to see how
they would get over and around n
when they reached 1t. the fence dis
appeared as II by magic. and the
, slaughter on the other side was ter
riole. Barksdale. CALAMITY leading his
men In the terrific fight, fell. NOR
tally wounded. The last words OF that
ardent patriot to fall on the ears of
one or his countrymen, were IT am
kiiled: Tell my wife and children
died lighting at my post"
The dash and heroism OF tho Mic
sissippians" won praise quite as high
from their brave but beaten adyersa
ries. AS our onrushing line sped down
the slope OF Peach Orchard Hill manv
or the enemy were outstripped and
left behind as prisoners. The follow
ing Incident is told from memory. A
tall fine looking Pennsylvanian IN
sisted on shaking hands as he said
with one of the men who had made
the most splendid charge OF the war"
Barksdale's success IN CARRYING so
strong position. held by more than
double his force. was promoted hy n
splendid artillery support. The re-
port OF General E. p Alexander, who
commanded the artillery engaged
against the Peach Orchard, Is hero
quoted:
About P. NJ. placed five batteries
In position In action against a heavy
artillery and infantry hre of the en-
envy. about 500 yards distant in
peach orchard on the Emmittsbure
Pike. After spirited engagement OF
half hour the enemy's guns were
. ~. D T.. ~.