The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-28
ORDER FOR PICKETT'S
CHARGE NOW SETTLED
Leader Of That Famous Assault In Letters To His Wife Just
Before And Just After The Attack Explains The Ccum-
stances In Detail

In his letters to his wife just pub
lished in book form (''The Heart of
Soldier" Seth Moyle, Inc, New
York; General George L. Pickett, one
OF the Confederate generals at Gettys-
berg sets at rest for all time the con-
troversy that has existed as to the re-
sponsibility for his famous charge.
The assault was the eliminating
point in the three days struggle and,
as il later proved, the turning point
in the war By some Southern lead
ers and historians the blame for the
ill-advised attack has ben placed upon
General Longstreet who, 1t Is clear
from Pickett's letters, was in no way
responsible. In fact, he was so OPP
posed TO the measure and so fearful of
It, outcome that he could not speak
the necessary order to begin the move
ment In letter which he handed to
Longstreet, to be delivered to his
promised wife, just as he went to lead
the charge, Pickett wrote:
we have been on the qui vive since
midnight and as early as 3 O'Clock
were on the march. About half past
three Gary's pistol signaled the Yam
KEGS attack upon Culp's Hin. and with
its echo wall of regret went up from
my very soul that the other two bril-
gades of my old division had been left
behind. oh. God, If only | had them
"a surety for the honor of Virginia
for l can depend upon them, little
one. They know your soldier and
would follow him into the very jaws of
death-and he will need them right
here. too, before he's through.
AT early dawn, darkened by the
threatening rain, Armistead, Garnett,
Kemper and your soldier held heart
to-heart powwow Just as we three
separated to go our different ways af-
ter silently clasping hands, our fears
and prayers voiced in the Good Luck.
old man a summons came from Old
Peter General Longstreet) and | i'm
mediatelY rode to the top of the ridge
where he and Marse Robert were maxi
ing a reconnaissance of Meade's posi-
! ton. Great Godn said Old Peter us
came up, Look. General Lee, at the
insurmountahle difficulties between
our line and that of the Yankees
the step hills. the tiers of artillery. the
/ fences, the heavy skirmish line-and
| then Well have to fight our infantry
against their batteries. Look at the
ground Wen have to charge over,
nearly mile of open ground there
under the rain of their canister and
( shrapnel'
( Tine enemy Is there, General
! Longstreet. and / am going To strike
I him said Marse Robert in his firm.
quiet. determined voice"
4 Immediately after the battle Pick
EFT wrote:
! My letter of yesterday. written be-
! fore the battle, was fun of hope and
cheer. even though l told you of the
long hours of Waiting from four in he
morning, when Gary's pistol rang out
from the Federal lines signaling the
attack upon Cups Kin, 10 the solemn
/ O'Clock review of my men who rose
. nd stood xi
in loving reverance as Marse Robert.
old Peter and your soldier reviewed
them On then to the deadly stiffness
Of the FIVE hours following, when the
men lay in the tall grass In the rear
of the artillery line, the July sun pour
ing its scorching rays almost vertical
ly down upon them. till / o'clock when
the awful silence of the vast battle
field Mas broken by a cannon-shot
which opened the greatest artillery
duel of the world The firing lasted
two hours. When il ceased we took
advantage of the blackened field and
in the glowing darkness formed. our
attacking column just before the
brow Of Seminary Ridge
Il closed my letter to you n little
before o'clock and rode up to Old
Peter for orders. l found him like a
great lion at bay | have never seen
him so grave and troubled For sew
he looked at me without speaking
Then in an agonized voice, the reserve
al gone, he said;
Pickett, l am being crusifed at
the thought of the sacrifice Of life
which this attack will make l have
instructed Alexander to watch the eff
feet of our fire upon the enemy. and
when II begins to tell he must take
the responsibility and give you your
orders, for | can't
While he was yet speaking a note
was brought to me from Alexander
After reading it / handed it>to him
I asking IL / should obey and 10 for
ward. He looked a me for a moment
then held out his hand. Presently.
clasping his other hand over mine
without speaking he bowed his head
upon his breast | shall never forget
the look In his face nor the clasp of
his hand when | said Then. gen
eral | shall lead my division ON"
/ These letters of General Pickett are
of particular interest just now in view
of the approaching celebration at
! Gettysburg. In July next after fiftv
years, the Blue and the GRAY Will
again meet on the historic battlefield.
this time to cement the ties which for
merly they fought to sever. 1t is es~
timated that more than 900, 900 people
will he present at the reunion.