Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-09-14
RECALLING PICKETT's CHARGE.

While so far from the seat of action. one can blu
family grasp the awfulness of some of the Charges
that have been made, army against army in tn,
great European struggle. The destruction of prop
erty and lives is beyond comprehension. The dark
ened screen gives us vivid insight of the results
left in the wake of wars ebbing or flowing tide anC
the dispatches have told of the awful slaughter
when foe met foe.
But with all this the European war presents NJ
incident which compares with the famous charge
of General Pickett at the battle of Gettysburg NJ
war since has given to the world an episode O.
greater daring than this one.
The charge that will 60 down in history as ont
never equaled in it's day, was made on the after
noon of July 3, 1863, by division of the arm o.
Northern Virginia, under the leadership of Gen
eral Edward Pickett, the objective point being thu
capture of Cemetery Ridge, a most advantageous
position then held by the Federal troops under Gen
eral Warren.
This famous charge at Cemetery Ridge has beer
the theme and subject of countless writer's who
lived at that day and could grasp it's awfuness, it,
pathetic and humanitarian aspects.
For two days the fight had waged at Gettysburg
with neither side claiming any advantage but Will
determination to continue on the morrow thu
awful work of the two days gone. If there was
shade of favor it was with the Federal troops who
were fighting on their own ground.
The break of dawn ON the morning of July :
found Gordon of Federal troops with batteries
driving johnson from his position on the right
Reinforced by Stuart's cavalry, and a fresh divi
sion under General Pickett, which had come I'D dur
ing the night, General Lee determined upon charge
against the Union lines. that would piece the cen
ter of that army.
Two brigades of Pender's division, divisions un
der Pettigrew and Pickett, were formed for column
of attack General Pickett in command led the at
lacking column forward. The Confederates had
seemingly assembled all their strength for this des
perate effort that was to sweep the Union forces
before them like chaff or NOV them down like
grain. Selecting an hour when the sun was on thu
down course and somewhat at the backs of his men
General Pickett gave his order for the troops tt
rush the ridge.
In some places they actually lifted up and pushed
back the Union lines but that terrible onslaught
was being collected by the Federal troops who
stood their ground to man.
The Union commanders awaited the impact, beins
federate forces, and gave their command in low bu
very distinct tones: "Steady, men, steady. DOM
fire yet~ and not shot was fired until the rush
ing column had advanced so close that the expires
sion on their faces could be seen then aiming low
the Union troops poured a whitening fire upon thu
advancing column. Nothing human could hav.
faced it and lived The Confederate soldiers seem
ed to melt and drift away. 1t was at this psyche
logical moment General Hancock gave the order tt
the Union troops, Forward, men! Now is your
chance" and forward they went And in thai
short space of terrible fighting page of history was
made that will live forever. The charge of Picket
and his men is written on that page and it viii
be classed with the Noble Six Hundred at Bala
klava, whose bravery and devotion familiar his
tory to every child.
So will always live the charge of Pickett and hi
men, who walked into the jaws of death at Gene
terry Ridge.