The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
MRS PICKETT TELLS GETTYSBURG STORY AMID ENTHUSIASM Widow of Famous Confed- crate General At High
 School Auditorium LEES PURPOSE IN
 INVADING NORTH Tells Some of Dramatic Incidents of ''Pickett's Charge" Regarded
 As Most Famous In the
 Worlds History
By ELLIS C. HoLI.IMs


 Of veterans of the war of the sixties Mrs. LaSalle Carbell Pickett wife of the famous southern general, stepped out upon the stage at the High School auditorium last night and was greeted with storm of applause from the we'll filled house. Mrs. Pickett delivered her famous lecture on "The Battle of Get tysburg'' instead Of "Reminiscences of Yesterday which had been scheasled
 Mrs. Pickett was introduced by Mrs Chappell Cory in few well chosen words.
 Mrs. Pickett has a remarkable staga ment to Mrs. Cory was followed by an impulsive movement forward as she held forth her hand for a friendly clasp. She then turned to the audience and made deep bow in appreciation of the applause
 She began immediately with her topic telling first of the formation of the land in and about Gettysburg, the scene of the battle which marked the turning point in the war between the stateA, She took each position that the oppos- ing armies of north and south occupied at that time and described it as nature formed it. Then she told how man had added to the wonders of nature in beau tifying 1t and how, later, man had taken the handiwork of nature and trans formed it into field for the desperate work of war
 Leading up to the battle itself the speaker told of the campaign Of the Army of the Potomac and of how Lees army, tattered and torn, had success fully resisted it under the command of numerous generals. She told how Gen eral Lee determined to invade the lnorth--the land of promise--whlch was to furnish to the army of the south food and raiment.
 Arguments to Dissuade Lee
 She brought out all the arguments that were used to dissuade Lee from his purpose; how he was shown that his army had been successful against invaders and how it was only natural to assume the armies of the north would also be successful against an Invasion. He was told that "the peo- pie of the north would rise against the south en masse in defense of their homes, but would continue to fight in half-hearted manner while on south ern territory"
 However, Lees army was suffering for food. Shoes were lacking and clothing was insufficient. The tnva- sion was made. It was decided thnt the Valley of the Shenandoah must be subjected and this was done-at enor- nous expense, 1t Is true, when Jackson fell
 The Army O fthe Potomac fell back before the victorious virginians. IL continued to fall back until Gettysbure was reached. The flower and chivalry of Virginia and the south was pressing onward into Pennsylvania
 Pickett's division was sent along one of six roads leading to the field of Gettysburg The speaker here held the undivided attention of the entire au- dience while she related a little inci- dent showing the gallantry and chiv. airy of the men of the south.
 While passing through Green Springp. she said. a little village in the line of march towards Gettysburg, Pckett's di- vision beheld a young girl with the Stars and Stripes draped about her. standing on the front piazza of her home. She locked at them scornfully and cried out to them Traitors, traitors, all; touch this flag, if one of you dare" A slow rumble that grew to roar of anger swelled through the ranks of the division Pickett, riding little to the rear heard the roar. Scenting trouble, he rode for ward and arrived in time to hear the maid again charge the southern soldiery With being traitorous. The line was be- ginning to falter. The men were growing more angry.
 Tribute to the Girl
 Pickett glanced at the girl, wheeled his horsc until he faced her, and with all the grace of courier raised his hand to his cap in salute of the loyal girl and her flag. He then turned to his troops an unspoken command gleaming from his eyes. as his hand remained at salute. m in onLc fndo every cap in the entire division was ele- vated in chivalrous salute as its owner passed the girl and the Stars and Stripes
 The girl-she gazed a moment in won- der or an enemy that could De so gen. erous as to salute the flag of its foe-l then chied brogenly: "Oh if only had the Stars and Bars to hold up for them''
 The tension was relieved and the ap. plause was deafening
 Mrs. Pickett graphically described the charge of 5000 men. headed by Pickett's division, at Gettysburg, a charge never before or since equaled, and ,as she said, which will never be equaled for indi- vidual heroism under the new rules of warfare
 She finished her address with tribute to the glorious Lost Cause" and her audience responded with an ovation. When the applause had somewhat died away, only the echoes remaining, she spoke again, simply T wish I had the strength to shake each of you by the hand" and the applause broke out anew
 She pressed huge punches of flowers close to her breast and still applauding her audience surged forward toward the stage The hero whose relict' she is re- ceived benediction in the tribute paid hor, and the 'Lost Cause" really was not lost because 1t gave to the world women like her and her descendants.
 RI. C. AFFORD NAMED